(From left): QB Coach Aaron Corp, OL Coach Anthony Parker, RB Coach Montario Hardesty Courtesy: Norfolk State University Athletics |
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State University football coach Latrell Scott announced Wednesday three more additions to his coaching staff: quarterbacks coach Aaron Corp, offensive line coach Anthony Parker and running backs coach Montario Hardesty.
Corp comes to NSU from Scott's previous staff at Virginia State, while Parker arrives from a stint at the University of Tennessee and Hardesty from Chowan University. Scott also coached each of the three new additions in college during their highly distinguished playing careers at the Division I level.
Corp was quarterbacks coach last season under Scott at VSU, helping the Trojans finish 10-3 overall en route to the CIAA championship. VSU also advanced to the Division II playoffs for the first-time ever, winning a first-round game before falling in the second round. Trojan quarterbacks Tarian Ayres and Niko Johnson combined to pass for 2,270 yards and 15 touchdowns against just five interceptions. The duo also rushed for eight scores under Corp's guidance.
After an acclaimed high school career in Villa Park, Calif., that saw him earn numerous prep All-America accolades, Corp spent three seasons as a quarterback at Southern California (2007-09) before transferring to the University of Richmond for his final two years (2010-11). At USC, he redshirted in 2007 before appearing in five games as a freshman in 2008. He played in three games and started once in 2009 before transferring to Richmond.
At UR, Corp started 16 times in his two seasons. He started five times as a junior before sustaining a season-ending injury. As a senior in 2011, Corp started every game and passed for 2,682 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 63.7 percent of his passes. He set an NCAA FCS single-game record for completion percentage, completing 31-of-34 (91.2 percent) against Towson.
A 2012 NFL Scouting Combine invitee, Corp had brief pro stints with the NFL's Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He earned his bachelor's degree from UR in interdisciplinary studies in 2012.
"Aaron is an extremely talented young coach," Scott said. "He has a great background and I'm excited about him coaching our quarterbacks."
Parker spent the last two seasons as an offensive quality control assistant at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee. Prior to his time on staff at UT, Parker served as an offensive graduate assistant at Mississippi State (2011-12) and Morgan State (2009-10). Parker coached on a pair of bowl teams at Mississippi State and helped UT reach the TaxSlayer Bowl after this past season.
Parker had a distinguished playing career for the Volunteers. He was a four-year letterman from 2005-08, playing in 44 career games with 39 starts on the offensive line, predominantly as a guard. He started his sophomore through senior seasons. Parker was a second-team Associated Press All-American as a junior in 2007. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors from both the league coaches and AP that year while helping the Volunteers reach the SEC Championship Game. Parker was also a second-team All-SEC selection as a senior in 2008.
Parker a native of Jonesboro, Ga., earned his bachelor's degree from in political science and sociology from Tennessee in 2008.
"Anthony is a dynamic young coach with a strong pedigree," Scott said. "He will relate will to our players in teaching fundamental football."
Hardesty served as an intern at Chowan last fall under the NFL Players Association internship program. Prior to Chowan, Hardesty had a successful career at UT that culminated in his selection by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Hardesty played at Tennessee from 2005-09. He rushed for 2,391 yards in his career, including 1,345 in All-SEC second-team campaign as a senior in 2009. Hardesty ranked fourth in the SEC and had the fourth-best season in terms of rushing yardage in school history that year, when he also scored 14 total touchdowns (13 rushing, one receiving).
Hardesty was drafted by Cleveland in 2010 and spent four seasons with the team. Injuries sidelined him for the 2010 and '13 seasons. He played in 23 games with the Browns in 2011 and 2012, compiling 537 rushing yards, 138 receiving yards and one touchdown.
A native of New Bern, N.C., Hardesty earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Tennessee in 2009.
"Montario is another excellent young coach who brings a strong background to our program," Scott said. "His experience as a collegiate and pro player will also be beneficial for our players."
Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS