Brandon StaleyA Brandon Staley-led University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defense never allowed a single yard or point under his command.
They never got the chance.
Staley has accepted a position as outside linebackers coach for the NFL's Chicago Bears, leaving his position of defensive coordinator for the Mocs before he ever coached a game. He was the first coach confirmed to new UTC head coach Tom Arth's staff, and will now be the first to leave.
Losing defensive coordinators to the NFL is nothing new for Arth. The first one he hired at John Carroll University, Jerry Schuplinski, was hired by the New England Patriots before he ever coached a game. That paved the way for the first of two stints at JCU for Staley, who after the 2013 season left for a similar position at Football Championship Subdivision program James Madison. Arth replaced Staley with Chris Shula, legendary NFL coach Don Shula's grandson, who after a season took a position with the San Diego Chargers.
"It's been really unique, and something that's exciting for me personally," Arth said Wednesday. "I'm excited for the coaches to be able to do that; for the players to know they're around incredible people and coaches. When you're surrounding yourself with great people who work really hard, great things happen, and there's excitement in it to know this can happen for them, too. Great things happen in their lives because they're around special people and their dream will come true.
"I've been so blessed in the short time I've coached to be around incredible coaches, and to see them have the opportunity to live their dream has been something really special."
Staley went back to John Carroll and for two seasons had one of the top defenses in the country in Division III, earning national coordinator of the year honors after the 2016 season when his defense ranked third in yardage allowed; fourth in scoring defense, sixth in pass efficiency defense and 13th in rushing defense.
The Blue Streaks tied the program record with 12 wins and reached the Division III semifinals, falling to Wisconsin-Oshkosh by a final score of 10-3.
"Brandon is an incredible person, an incredible football coach," Arth said. "I would always tell anybody I'm with that Staley could go call plays in the NFL tomorrow and the team wouldn't miss a beat. That's just the type of coach he is. He's worked every day to be the best possible coach he can be for this opportunity.
"His goal has been to coach in the NFL and he now has that opportunity. He will do incredibly well and will be talked about for defensive coordinator positions in the not-too distant future."
Arth said that he has already started the process of hiring Staley's replacement and expects the process to move "pretty quickly."
The Mocs are expected to begin spring practice the first week of March.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.