Former Crisp County (Ga.) head coach Sheldon Felton is filling the final vacancy on Tom Arth's University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football staff.
Felton's hiring first was reported by WALB in Albany, Ga., and confirmed later by university sources to the Times Free Press.
Felton was 16-8 in two seasons at his high school alma mater, taking Crisp County from a 3-7 record in his first year to a 13-1 mark and a Class AAA state semifinal appearance in 2016. He was linked to an opening at Auburn back in February, but a new NCAA rule that prohibits Football Bowl Subdivision programs from hiring a high school prospect's coach seemed to block that potential move.
Markaviest Bryant, a four-star defensive end, signed with Auburn on national signing day, meaning Felton could not be hired by the Tigers for at least two years.
That rule doesn't apply to the Football Championship Subdivision level, so Felton can join the UTC coaching staff despite the fact that another Crisp County player, three-star defensive back Brandon Dowdell, signed with the Mocs in February.
Although his position with the staff hasn't been made official, Felton likely will fill a role similar to that vacated by Demarcus Covington, who was the outside linebackers coach before taking a job with the New England Patriots.
Felton was a four-year letterman at Troy (formerly Troy State).
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.