Kevin Corless Joins Coaching Staff for 2012 Season
2/23/2012 11:38:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Kevin Corless joins the Georgia Southern Football program after nine seasons at Arkansas State. Corless brings with him an impressive resume and helped turn three programs around into nationally-ranked defenses. He replaces former linebackers coach Shawn Quinn, who accepted the defensive coordinator role at Charleston Southern.
Most recently the Kansas City native worked nine years as an assistant coach at Arkansas State (2002-10), the first seven as co-defensive coordinator along with the Eagles' current defensive coordinator, Jack Curtis, and the final two with sole responsibility as coordinator. Corless also was in charge of the linebackers and the punt return unit.
Coming off a Sun Belt title in 2005 and participation in the New Orleans Bowl, Corless' unit finished second twice (2006, 2008) and led the conference twice (2007, '09) in total defense. He was also named the league's 2009 'Defensive Coordinator of the Year' by rivals.com.
During the 2010 season, the Red Wolves led the SBC in redzone defense (17th nationally), ranked second in turnovers gained (25th nationally) and third in sacks (40th). When ASU led the conference in total defense during the 2009 campaign, the unit also boasted the top-ranking in redzone defense and scoring defense while finishing second in rushing defense and third in passing defense.
In 2008, ASU led the Sun Belt in redzone defense and rushing defense while ranking second in scoring and pass defense. Corless and the defense stood 11th nationally in stopping opponents in the redzone and 20th in tackles for loss. That year the program knocked off Texas A&M 18-14.
In all of Corless' years, the Red Wolves defense finished among the 'Top 40' FBS programs in at least one defensive category. Corless also coached three Freshman All-Americans during his time with the Red Wolves.
Six of his defensive players since 1998 would hear their name called in the NFL Draft, led by second round pick Tyrell Johnson - the 2007 SBC Defensive Player of the Year. In the following year, Corless coached Alex Carrington to the league's top Defensive Award and saw him get drafted in the third round by Buffalo. The ASU linebackers unit earned 10 All-SBC awards during Corless' Red Wolves tenure.
From 1995-2001 he was an assistant coach at Northwestern State, starting as the defensive line coach (1995-98) then being promoted to Defensive Co-Coordinator the final three seasons in charge of the linebackers (1999-2001). Corless also coached linebackers and was the special teams coordinator at Montana Tech from 1986-95.
Georgia Southern opens spring practice following spring break and will host the annual Blue White game on April 14th.
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