RENO, Nev. – Nevada football coach Brian Polian announced new members of his coaching staff during a press conference at Legacy Hall on Friday. The veteran staff includes two former FBS head coaches and two others with some NFL experience.
“I could not be happier about the staff we have been able to assemble over the last couple of weeks as we have recruited some outstanding teachers and recruiters to come on board with us,” Polian said. “More importantly, the men that we have brought into the Nevada football family are all quality people. I have no doubt that they will all have a positive effect on all phases of our program. The chemistry between the coaches that we were fortunate enough to retain and the new members of the staff has been excellent, and I am looking forward to working alongside this staff for a long time to come.”
The staff includes five newcomers to the Wolf Pack program. Scottie Hazelton will serve as Nevada’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and comes to the Pack from USC. Former Cornell and Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher will be the team’s assistant head coach and will coach the wide receivers. Former Eastern Michigan head coach Jeff Genyk comes to Nevada from Cal and will serve as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach. Former Louisiana-Lafayette offensive coordinator Ron Hudson is a veteran offensive line coach who will coach the front for the Pack. Bill Teerlinck comes to Nevada after a five-year run as a defensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts and will head up the defensive line.
They will join a group of three coaches who will continue their careers at Nevada in offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich, tight ends coach James Spady and Mike Bradeson, who will coach safeties and serve as the recruiting coordinator. Additionally, longtime coach and administrator Ken Wilson will remain with the program and will serve as the assistant athletics director for football operations. Andy Vaughn will continue in his role as the director of player personnel.
The Wolf Pack still has one open spot on the coaching staff, coaching cornerbacks on the defensive side of the ball. Polian said that spot will likely be filled next month.
2013 Wolf Pack Coaching Staff
(complete bios available here)
Jim Hofher – Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers
A veteran coach with more than three decades in the collegiate ranks, Jim Hofher is in his first year as Nevada’s assistant head coach. He will also coach the Wolf Pack’s wide receivers. He joined the Wolf Pack staff in January of 2013, and the 2013 season will mark his 33rd year of coaching college football.
Hofher has served as a head coach twice during his career, leading the University of Buffalo for five seasons in 2001-05 and Cornell University for eight seasons in 1990-97. He holds the highest winning percentage by a coach in Cornell’s modern history and he led Buffalo to the program’s first-ever wins over opponents from the Big East (Rutgers and UConn), Conference USA (Central Florida) and independent schools (Army).
He comes to Nevada after serving the past four seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Delaware. His tenure there included helping the Blue Hens to an appearance in the 2010 FCS National Championship game.
Polian: “I have known Jim for a long time, and it was important to me that he join us. He offers a unique perspective as a former Div. I-A head coach and is a brilliant offensive mind. Jim’s experience and demeanor will be a valuable asset in terms of helping me as a first-year head coach.”
Nick Rolovich – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
One of the top passing minds in the country, Nick Rolovich returns for year two of his Nevada tenure and will assume all aspects of the offensive control for the Wolf Pack as he serves as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In 2012, Rolovich helped Cody Fajardo develop into one of the top young quarterbacks in the nation as Fajardo completed 67 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns and running for 1,121 yards and 12 more scores.
Rolovich came to Nevada after a wildly productive four-year run at Hawai`i, where he directed one of the top passing offenses in the nation. He was the quarterbacks coach all four seasons and spent the last two years as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator.
Polian: “I was thrilled when Nick decided to stay with us. Some continuity was important and, in my mind, that began with Coach Rolovich. I think he is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession and I look forward to watching him leave his imprint on the offense.”
Scottie Hazelton – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Scottie Hazelton, who helped North Dakota State to the 2011 FBC National Championship, is in his first year at Nevada as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Hazelton came to Nevada after one season at USC where he coached linebackers for the Trojans. With the Trojans, Hazelton helped the USC defense improve in pass defense, pass efficiency defense and tackles for loss (eighth in the nation). He also coached Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard to All-Pac 12 honors as sophomores.
Hazelton spent the previous five seasons at North Dakota State, the first three years handling the defensive line before moving up to the defensive coordinator role for the final two seasons.
Polian: “Scottie came highly recommended to us from some of the most respected coaches in football. His experience coordinating at the FCS level and winning championships, combined with his experience as a position coach at a premier BCS school makes him a perfect fit for us here at Nevada. I am excited about what we are going to do on defense under his guidance.”
Jeff Genyk – Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs
A former FBS head coach, Jeff Genyk is in his first season on the Nevada coaching staff and will oversee special teams and running backs. He joined the Wolf Pack coaching staff in January of 2013.
Genyk, who was the head coach at Eastern Michigan from 2003-08 and worked for a decade at Northwestern, spent the past three seasons at Cal, serving as the Bears’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. While in Berkeley, Genyk led dramatic improvement with the Cal special teams units, including back-to-back first-team All-Pac 12 selections at kicker and punter.
Genyk tutored punter Bryan Anger to first-team all-conference honors in 2011 and helped him become a Ray Guy semifinalist. Anger was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft – the highest selection for a punter over the past 17 years. Anger is one of just two Cal players in history to earn all-conference honors in three straight seasons.
Polian: “I have the utmost respect for Jeff as a football coach – we competed against each other while he was at Cal and I was at Stanford and I always thought that his teams were prepared well and played hard. Also a former head coach and someone who was at the forefront of the spread offense at Northwestern, I think Jeff offers a great deal to our staff.”
Ron Hudson – Offensive Line
A veteran offensive line coach with more than 20 years of experience, Ron Hudson is in his first season at Nevada and serves as the Wolf Pack’s offensive line coach. He joined the Wolf Pack staff in January of 2013. The 2013 season will mark Hudson’s 25th season of collegiate coaching and his 18th coaching the offensive front.
Hudson comes to Nevada after one season as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Massachusetts. Prior to that, he served in the same capacity at Nevada’s Mountain West foe, New Mexico.
Hudson spent six seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, serving as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach during his tenure with the Cajuns. Under Hudson, the Cajuns produced one of the nation’s most dominating running games as ULL finished in the top 15 in the nation in rushing offense four times, ranking seventh in 2005 and 2007. The Cajuns were also in the top 15 three different times in fewest sacks allowed.
Polian: “Nick and Ron had some history together and he came highly recommended to us. I was so impressed during his interview that I did not want him to leave campus without agreeing to join us. His energy as a teacher and recruiter is contagious, and I cannot wait to see him with our players.”
James Spady – Tight Ends
James Spady enters his fourth season in Reno coming off a strong 2012 season that saw Nevada produce one of the top tight ends in the conference in Mackey Award semifinalist Zach Sudfeld. Spady will also continue to assist with the offensive line.
Spady and the Pack return a pair of experienced tight ends in seniors Kolby Arendse and Stephen Jeffers in 2013 to go along with a host of young, promising talent.
Spady is no stranger to developing talent at Nevada. In his first year, he guided All-WAC tight end Virgil Green, who was picked in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Green, a multi-year starter, proved himself to be one of the best tight ends in program history during his career in Reno.
Polian: “James is a good coach and a good recruiter. His experience recruiting Texas is going to help us a great deal as we try to expand our footprint, and I have no doubt that his players will continue to play at a high level.”
Bill Teerlinck – Defensive Line
An energetic coach with experience at the college and NFL levels, Bill Teerlinck begins his first season at Nevada and will head up the Wolf Pack’s defensive front.
Teerlinck comes to Nevada after a five-year stint as a defensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts. During his time there, Teerlinck worked with a defensive line that saw Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis each selected to four Pro Bowls. He also assisted the Colts with special teams.
Prior to his time with the Colts, Teerlinck worked for two seasons at Illinois State, coaching the defensive front and assisting with special teams.
Polian: “Bill joins our staff with a combination of college and professional experience. I had the good fortune to see him work in his time with the Indianapolis Colts and love his energy and passion for coaching. In his short time here in Reno, I have seen that energy and passion translate into recruiting. He is a great addition to our group.”
Mike Bradeson – Safeties
Mike Bradeson returns for the fourth year of his second tenure in Reno and the veteran coach will guide the team’s safeties and move into the role of recruiting coordinator in 2013.
A noted recruiter and secondary technician, Bradeson developed Duke Williams into a two-time all-conference selection for the Wolf Pack. Williams finished his career in 2012 as one of the top 10 tacklers in school history.
Bradeson has more than three decades of coaching experience, including more than 20 seasons coaching in the Silver State, at Nevada and at UNLV.
Polian: “Mike will stay with the staff to coach the safeties and serve as recruiting coordinator. I am thrilled to keep him in the family. Mike is a quality person, as well as a great teacher and coach, and has strong ties throughout the football community in the state of Nevada. His knowledge and insight will serve our organization well.”
Administration and Support
Ken Wilson – Assistant AD, Football Operations
Polian: “Ken will move into an administrative role following the completion of recruiting, and I am very excited to keep him in the Nevada football family. Ken’s work in recruiting has been incredible and his knowledge of this university and community make him a very important piece of what we are building here. His entire career has been spent as a member of the Wolf Pack, and we are happy to keep it that way.”
Andy Vaughn – Director of Player Personnel
Polian: “Andy will maintain his role as the director of player personnel. His work throughout this transition has been outstanding – he has been the motor that has kept the recruiting operation running. We are thrilled to keep him with the organization.”
