Bo CampbellBo Campbell and his brother Jason are joining the football staff at Notre Dame.
A former University of Tennessee player, Bo Campbell has spent the past five seasons as defensive coordinator at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Before that he spent two seasons as head coach at Central. Jason coached the offensive line at LFO and also directed the Warriors' strength and conditioning.
"Bo and Steve Idol, our defensive coordinator, have known each other and bounced ideas off each other for years, so that is a great fit," Irish head coach Josh Sellers said. "Too, Bo coached against [offensive coordinator] Charles Fant when Charles was at Ringgold.
"Bo brings a ton of knowledge of football in general, and his experience will be a big plus for the staff and for the kids. He truly wants to win the right way -- teaching kids lessons that go beyond the field."
Jason Campbell is expected to coach the Notre Dame line.
"They're a good fit for us since our staff is one where every coach is encouraged to get involved in every facet of the game plan," Sellers said. "While Bo will work with outside linebackers and running jacks, Jason will be working with the offensive and defensive lines."
Sellers said he also has added Nick Dunn and Josh Laney.
"They're young coaches who played for Bo at LFO," Sellers said. "They'll help with special teams and scout teams along with coaching a position on both sides of the ball. We're fortunate to be able to add such high quality coaches to our staff, but more importantly to be adding outstanding role models for our student-athletes."
It isn't quite a move home for the Campbells, but Bo indicated they're looking forward to joining Notre Dame.
"We're a Catholic family and we wanted to get involved again in the Catholic community," he said. "It's going to be enjoyable, and I think we're looking forward to coaching together."
Sellers believes the Irish have improved a staff that already was pretty good.
"Adding Bo and Jason along with the young guys who played for Bo puts the staff here on very solid ground," he said.
Cougars sign Trojans
Soddy-Daisy corner infielder and pitcher Dalton Rogers, outfielder Talon Harris and first baseman-pitcher Jake Leffew have signed baseball scholarship papers with Cleveland State. All were members of the Trojans team that finished fifth in last year's state tournament.
"They bring different things to the table," Trojans coach Jared Hensley said. "Talon brings speed and power, but Jake and Dalton can also hit for power. All three are smart at the plate and in all aspects of the game."
Rogers led Soddy-Daisy with a .442 batting average last season, hitting three home runs and 11 doubles with 37 RBIs. The right-hander also had a 0.00 earned run average and a 4-1 pitching record, striking out 30 in 30 innings. Leffew was 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA while hitting .350. Harris hit .421 with 16 home runs, 36 RBIs, 46 runs and 30 stolen bases.
Scholarship for Jackson
East Hamilton running back Logan Jackson has earned a leadership grant sponsored by the National Collegiate Scouting Association and the NFL players association.
The grant is awarded to student-athletes who qualify based on community leadership, academic achievement, athletics and an essay. As a junior this past season, Jackson averaged 104.8 yards per game and scored eight touchdowns with a long run of 75 yards in his second 1,000-yard season.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.