Aug. 16, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Not too many years ago, the Western Carolina Department of Athletics had less than a handful of former Catamounts on staff. Now, that number has grown to over 20, thanks largely to an influx of young coaches in the football program.
Fifth-year head coach Kent Briggs brought back assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Don Powers, who is in his 17th year as a Catamount coach, this past February. Then, Briggs added three recent Catamounts - Brian Rucker (Winston-Salem, N.C.), John Scott (Greer, S.C.) and Lamont Seward (Warrenton, N.C.) - to the staff this past summer. Also on staff is Linden Ryan. While it is his first year as a graduate assistant, Ryan is in his second year of graduate school, completing his MBA.
"I am very excited about having Catamount blood in the coaching staff," Briggs said. "I know Western Carolina is a special place. I feel that players that have experienced what it is like to be a Catamount will have great understanding and desire to be successful here as coaches.
"It is a thrill for me to give former Catamounts their start in college coaching. In order to be a success, you must have a solid foundation and having players that have been developed here become coaches in the program gives our program that stability and continuity. I know first hand how important it is to get that chance. Coach (Bob) Waters did that for me and so many other coaches. This has been the Catamount way in the past and I truly believe in this philosphy."
While Rucker, a 2004 Western Carolina graduate, was on staff in 2005 as a graduate assistant, he was promoted to the running backs coach early this past summer. Rucker played tight end from 2000-03 and was considered both an excellent pass catcher and punishing blocker.
"For me, it is an honor to be at Western as a member of the staff," Rucker said. "I also see it as a great opportunity to give back to a place and a program that has given me so many good memories. Being a young coach is a transition, especially when you are coaching guys that you played with. However, I learned early that you just have to separate yourself from that teammate relationship and let them know that you are here to coach them hard and to try and help them be the best player, teammate, and man that they can be. Then you do not have too many issues."
Also, this past summer, 2000 WCU graduate Scott was added to the staff to coach the defensive ends. Scott, who played defensive end with Western from 1995-98, spent two years as a graduate assistant at Louisiana-Lafayette and one as defensive line coach at Norfolk State before returning to Cullowhee.
"I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to come back and coach at my alma mater," Scott said. "This was something I hoped would happen when I started coaching. Western Carolina University is a very special place to me and my family. It is an honor to pass on the tradition and football knowledge I have to younger Catamounts."
Seward completed the Catamount staff, coming on board just after Scott. The 2003 Western graduate is one of the most prolific receivers in Southern Conference history as he tallied 190 receptions for 2,972 yards from 2000-03. Upon receiving his degree in sport management, he returned to his alma mater where he taught weight training and coached football, basketball and track.
"It means so much as a former player to be back at Western now coaching," Seward said. "The love I have for Western Carolina University football is truly genuine. I was asked a question `Would I choose WCU again if I had to?' and, with my actions, the answer was hands down, yes. I am a Catamount through and through. There is no other place I would rather be."
Rucker, Scott and Seward are not the only recent additions to the WCU Department of Athletics. Click the link below to see a complete athletics department roster:
Former Catamount Craig Aiken Hired at Greensboro College
Craig Aiken has been named Greensboro College's offensive coordinator. Aiken, a star wide receiver at Western Carolina from 1991-95, has coached at Triad high schools Reagan, North Forsyth, Western Alamance and Morehead before taking his new post.
For the complete story from Greensboro College, click the link below:
Greensboro College Press Release
or read The Eden Daily News account, written by WCU alum Brett Knight:
