Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield warms up during the first day of football practice for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.Turnover on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football roster was fairly minimal this offseason, with the Mocs losing nine seniors and four other players choosing not to continue their careers.
The changes on the coaching staff, however, were something else.
When the Mocs start practice this afternoon at Scrappy Moore Field, five assistants will be participating in their first spring with the team.
A good portion of the turnover occurred as the result of former wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Will Healy being hired as head coach at Austin Peay, because Healy took two more UTC staff members – defensive line coach Marcus West and director of football operations Carter Crutchfield – with him. In addition, offensive line coach Chris Malone took a job with Old Dominion, and Alex Schnitzer left his position as video coordinator.
The new staff additions are Carey Bailey (defensive line coach), Adam Ross (offensive line coach), Rob Spence (wide receivers coach), John Srofe (video coordinator) and Kadeem Wise (director of football operations). Rod West, the team’s defensive backs coach, has added recruiting coordinator to his titles.