Monday, July 15, 2013

Livingstone Blue Bears Increase Staff; Hughey Named Defensive Coordinator

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Former Blue Bears defensive backs coach Rodney Hughey has transitioned into the defensive coordinator position while Livingstone College adds two assistant coaches to interim Head Coach Daryl Williams' football staff. The Blue Bears hired Brian White as offensive line coach and Rodney Simmons as defensive line coach.

"Moving Hughey into the role of defensive coordinator is a great transition for him and the program being that he knows the players quite well and is very knowledgeable of the program we are instituting," said interim head Coach Daryl Williams. "With Hughey as defensive coordinator I'm 100 percent confident we will be able to stop people and play good defense with his leadership. Hughey brings enthusiasm and energy to the players and the coaches."

Hughey enters his fourth season with the Blue Bears. During the 2010 season, Hughey coached the Blue Bear defensive backs to the top pass defense in the CIAA while ranking in the NCAA Division II top 25. In 2011 Hughey's back field defense led the CIAA in interceptions while finishing in the NCAA Division II top 10. Under Hughey's guidance as defensive backs coach, his players have gained national recognition and gained various honors within the CIAA.

Along with transitioning Hughey into the defensive coordinator position, the Blue Bears received another facelift with two additions to their staff.
Prior to coming to Livingstone College, White was the run game coordinator at St. Francis University in 2011.

White's coaching career also includes stops at Texas Southern University (2008-2010), Kentucky State University (2006-2008), Lock Haven University (2005-2006) and his alma mater, Youngstown State University (2002-2004). He also coached in the high school tanks at Shaw High School (1998-2000) in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Coach White brings with him a wealth of knowledge, unbridled passion and genuine concern for the well-being of the student-athletes he comes across.  He is a devoted family man and coach," said Williams.

As an undergraduate offensive lineman, White earned three varsity letters and was a member of two NCAA Division I-AA national championship teams (1991 and 1993), as well as one team that finished as the national runner-up (1992) at Youngstown State.

A native of New Kensington, PA, White earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from
Youngstown State.

Simmons joins the Blue Bears staff after spending the past six seasons on the coaching staff of Morehouse College.

"Coach Simmons has unmatched energy and is a detailed oriented professional.  He is inspiring to our athletes and I am excited to have him as part of our football family," said Williams.

A native of Atlanta, GA, Simmons moved to Tennessee to attend and play football for Lane College in Jackson, TN. Simmons was a four-year letter winner as a defensive end at Lane from 1995-1999, and later served on the coaching staff for Lane.

As a player for Lane, Simmons was team captain and a first team All-Conference selection for two years.

The Blue Bears open the 2013 season with the Commemorative Classic against Johnson C. Smith University, Sept. 7 at 4:00 p.m.


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