Sources have confirmed to the Times Free Press that Rusty Wright has agreed to become the next head coach of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program.
Wright, a UTC alum, is currently the Georgia State inside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, having spent the past two seasons there. He played at UTC from 1992 to '95 and had two coaching stints with the Mocs, handling various roles from 1996 to 2002 and then returning to work as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator from 2013 to '16 under coach Russ Huesman.
During his time with the Mocs, he helped the program to three consecutive Southern Conference championships (2013-15), as well as three Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances (2014-16). The Mocs won at least eight games in each of his final four seasons on Huesman's staff.
Five of his linebackers at UTC were All-Southern Conference first-team picks, including 2016 All-American Nakevion Leslie. Punt returner Tommy Hudson earned All-America honors in 2014.
Prior to his second stint at UTC, Wright was the defensive coordinator at NAIA program Reinhardt for two seasons. He also had coaching stints at Furman, Gardner-Webb, Miami (Ohio) and Butler.
For a full story, check back later at timesfreepress.com and read Thursday's Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.