Georgia Southern University Athletics

Veteran assistant coach Travis Cunningham is in his fourth season as the inside linebackers coach at Georgia Southern after spending 16 seasons on the Gardner-Webb coaching staff, the final two as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator while coaching the inside linebackers in G-W’s 3-4 scheme. 

His 2019 group saw Reynard Ellis and Rashad Byrd lead the team in tackles as they both started all 13 games. Byrd scored two defensive touchdowns to earn all-conference honors and Ellis had 10.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. In 2020, Byrd once again earned all-conference honors and his inside backers posted 18.5 tackles for loss and helped lead a defense that finished 14th in the country in total defense, 15th in rushing defense and first in interception and turnover margin.

In 2018, his first year with the Eagles, he mentored a young unit that played a big role in the defense’s success. The Eagles allowed an average of just 21.5 points per game and Byrd was named honorable mention all-conference. Georgia Southern had a turnover margin of +22, tops in the FBS.

In 2017, two players earned All-Big South honors while Cunningham was at Gardner-Webb. Kenyatta Dunbar played inside linebacker at a high level, ranking second in the Big South with 13.5 tackles for loss to earn first-team honors. Josh Ramseur recorded 50 total tackles at his nose guard spot to earn second-team honors.

Cunningham’s 2016 unit improved steadily as the year progressed, with linebacker Chad Geter earning FCS All-America honors and running mate Aaron Cook landing a spot on the All-Big South team. The Gardner-Webb defense produced four total All-Big South Conference performers in 2016, with Geter leading the league with 118 total tackles – earning a spot on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List as well. 

The Runnin’ Bulldogs ranked in the top three among Big South program’s defensively in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. The ‘Dogs ranked second in red zone defense, an all-important stat that has become a fine tradition in Boiling Springs.

Cunningham and the GWU defense were excellent in 2015 statistically, finishing No. 13 nationally in total defense (300.5 ypg), No. 3 in third down conversion defense (25.9 percent), No. 3 in red zone touchdowns allowed (9), No. 7 in passing defense (151.5 ypg), No. 6 in first down defense (15.0 per game), No. 19 in red zone defense (69.0 percent), No. 23 in scoring defense (20.6 ppg) and No. 24 in tackles for loss per game (7.4). 

In 2013 Cunningham was part of a defense staff that directed GWU to a No. 5 ranking in total defense (296.8 ypg) and led the Big South Conference in rushing defense (122.5 ypg), pass defense (174.2 ypg), pass efficiency defense (114.0 rating), opponent first downs, third down conversion defense (32.2 percent), sacks (27) and fourth down conversion defense (25.0 percent).

Cunningham has continually churned out excellent production from his linebacker unit. A total of 21 players earned all-conference honors under Cunningham’s guidance and six were named to postseason All-America teams. 

Cunningham also has experience coaching in the secondary, mentoring All-Big South Conference freshman Daniel Cooke at safety in 2005. Cooke went on to earn All-Big South honors four times on the gridiron – one of only seven student-athletes to do so in league history. 

Cunningham also coached the team’s linebackers in 2003 and 2004, and spent the 2001-2002 seasons as a student assistant linebacker coach when GWU utilized a four-linebacker scheme. During his time with the inside linebackers, Cunningham saw Keppy Baucom earn All-Big South honors three times in as many seasons, with Baucom leading the 2004 Bulldogs with 90 total tackles. 

His 2003 unit, spearheaded by Baucom, Jonathan Little, Adam Wagner and J.P. Weaver, developed into one of the region’s most consistent and effective groups.

Under Cunningham’s guidance in 2002, Baucom earned first-team All-Big South honors and was named Big South Freshman of the Year after leading the league’s rookies with 75 total tackles. Four of Cunningham’s pupils – Baucom, Brown, Patterson and Williams – earned All-Big South honors three times. Brown was also named the Big South’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2009, in addition to earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honors.

Cunningham, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, played two seasons at Gardner-Webb, making his mark as a long snapper and as a hard-nosed special teams coverage man. Prior to enrolling at Gardner-Webb, Cunningham was a standout in football and baseball at Powell (Tenn.) High in Knoxville.

Cunningham graduated from Gardner-Webb in August 2003, with an undergraduate degree in physical education. He and his wife, Kelly, have two sons, Brooks and Blake.

THE CUNNINGHAM FILE
Personal
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Born: Feb. 3, 1981 in Knoxville, Tenn.
College: Gardner-Webb (2003)
Family: wife, Kelly; sons, Brooks and Blake

Playing Experience
Gardner-Webb (1999-2000)

Coaching Experience
2018- Georgia Southern (inside linebackers) 
2016-17 Gardner-Webb (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers) 
2006-15 Gardner-Webb (inside linebackers) 
2005 Gardner-Webb (secondary)
2003-04 Gardner-Webb (inside linebackers) 
2001-02 Gardner-Webb (student assistant)

College Bowl/Postseason Experience
2020 New Orleans (GS vs. Louisiana Tech) 
2019 Cure (GS vs. Liberty) 
2018 Camellia (GS vs. Eastern Michigan)

Prominent Pupils
Chad Geter (DL): Saskatchewan Roughriders