University of the Cumberlands

The 2007 Patriot Football Coaching Staff

Mr. John Bland
Head Football Coach
Updated 3/1/08

John Bland is now entering his third season as the head coach for the Patriots having finished the 2007 campaign 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the Mid-South Conference East Division. Bland’s Patriots brought home the Mid-South Conference East Division Championship and earned their first play-off berth since 1988. Fifteen players were named to All-Conference teams, two team records were broken, two team records were tied, four individual records were broken, and the Cumberlands retained the coveted Brass Lantern from the annual Union/Cumberlands game. In addition, Bland was named the 2007 MSC East Coach of the year. The Patriots knocked off nationally ranked #9 UVA-Wise in overtime for the second consecutive season as the Patriots finished the season ranked #17 nationally.

Bland finished his first year, 6-4 overall and 3-2 in the Mid-South Conference East Division, where his Patriots took second place. Nine players were named to All-Conference teams, two school records were broken, and the team brought back the coveted Brass Lantern from the annual Union/Cumberlands game. The Patriots knocked off NCAA Division I-AA Austin Peay State University, #5 Bethel College, and #21 UVA-Wise. Bland’s Patriots finished the 2006 campaign ranked at 26th.

Bland came to the Patriots after spending five years as the quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division I-A Rice University in Houston, Texas. While at Rice, Bland under Ken Hatfield’s reign, was instrumental in assisting the Owls’ in gaining the most wins in a season since 1953 with an 8-4 record in 2001. Since that time, Rice was sixth in the nation in rushing in 2002, second in 2003, and led the nation in 2004. Bland’s quarterbacks accounted for almost one-third of the team’s rushing totals during that time and in 2003 his quarterback was the first in Rice history to rush and pass for 2000 yards in a career.

Prior to Rice, Bland coached at NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University. Bland served as an assistant coach from 1994-1999 and was promoted to head coach in 2000. While there, Bland’s offense broke several school and conference records, led the conference in scoring in 1998 and 1999, and was among the conference leaders in most offensive categories. In 1997, the Muleriders won the Gulf South Conference championship and were ranked 10th nationally.

Bland also gained invaluable experience at Central High School in Columbia, Tennessee where he served as an assistant coach for two years. In graduate school, at Auburn University, he worked as a graduate assistant under Pat Dye and while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas he served as a student assistant.

Bland spent his collegiate playing days at the University of Arkansas where he was a four year letterman as a quarterback. While in Fayetteville, Bland helped the Razorbacks to four consecutive bowl appearances in the Holiday, Liberty, Orange, and Cotton Bowls. He was named the permanent captain for the 1988 Southwest Conference Championship squad that competed in the Cotton Bowl.

Coach Bland holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree, also in Kinesiology, from the University of Arkansas. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Bland is a graduate of Farragut High School where he was an All-State recipient playing at the quarterback and defensive back positions.

“I am thankful to God to have been given the opportunity to coach and have such a supportive family. I believe University of the Cumberlands is a quality university in a nice, small town and a great place to raise a family. My passion and calling, I feel, is to help mold young men into leaders of our community. At Cumberlands, the environment allows me the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the student-athletes lives. The chance to see young men develop spiritually, academically, and athletically is one of the most appealing aspects,” said Bland.

UC Athletic Director Randy Vernon stated, “We are very happy and fortunate to have Coach Bland join our athletic staff. His qualifications and experience are second to none and Cumberlands football program will benefit under his leadership. He is a quality individual and his morals and standards are a perfect fit for what University of the Cumberlands is trying to pass along to our student-athletes.”

Coach Bland and his wife, Candis, reside in Williamsburg with their three children, Shreve, Jade, and Bo.

Mr. Jamie Smiddy
Running Back Coach - Football

Jamie Smiddy is beginning his fifth year as a member of the University of the Cumberlands football staff after a successful three-year stint at the University of Findlay where he served as the running backs coach.

During his collegiate days at the University of Findlay, Smiddy was named the MVP of the NAIA National Championship game in 1997 as a running back and was Findlay’s team captain in 1998 when he earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors also as a running back. In 2000, he was graduated from the University of Findlay with a degree in Health and Physical Education.

Continuing to coach at Cumberlands was an easy decision according to Smiddy who believes, “Cumberlands is a great place for student athletes to attend and succeed. We have the type of learning environment and resources for our students to graduate with a college degree. The athletic program is very solid overall and we have shown success and will continue to be sucessful and compete well."

Smiddy is a native of Defiance, Ohio where he attended Defiance Senior High School.

Mr. Michael Collins
Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker's

Entering into his second year as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach is Michael Collins. Collins had success in the 2006 season with seven players making first and second team all-conference.

Collins joined the Patriot coaching staff after a successful three-year stint at Pascagoula High School in Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as the defensive coordinator garnering a Division Championship in 2003.

Prior to Pascagoula, Collins served as an assistant coach at Clarksdale High in Clarksdale, Mississippi where, in two years, he helped achieve a 24-3 record and a state championship title. Collins also gained his expertise while earning his undergraduate degree at Northeast Mississippi Community College and later Delta State University where he learned the game as a student assistant coach. Collins was graduated from Delta State University in 2001 with a degree in Physical Education.

Collins is excited about the opportunity to coach on the Patriot sidelines. “I believe that the athletic program has a great tradition. I am looking forward to being a part of it. With the groundwork that has been established, I hope we can bring many championships to University of the Cumberlands,” Collins stated. “Cumberlands offers a great Baptist, Christian atmosphere from the moment you step on the campus. I know this atmosphere will be a great place for me and my family.”

Collins is a native of Clinton, Mississippi. He and his wife, Pamela, along with their two children, Spencer and Sloan, look forward to the 2007 football season.

Mr. Edgar Weiser
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line

Edgar Weiser is entering his second year as an assistant coach at the Cumberlands. Weiser has had success as the offensive line coach, with offensive line senior John Patton was named Second Team All-Conference at the end of the 2006 season, and now adds the position of offensive coordinator.

Weiser came to the University of the Cumberlands after spending two years as a high school assistant coach in Texas. As the offensive line coach at Hendrickson High School ( Pflugerville, TX) he helped lead Hendrickson to their first playoff appearance in school history (2005). Weiser was also instrumental in guiding an offensive line unit that opened up holes for three different running backs that gained 500 yards or more.

Weiser spent the 2003 season as the tight ends coach at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) where he coached first team all Ohio Valley Conference and 2 nd team All-American tight end Ray Goodson. In 2002, Weiser served as the tight ends coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). While at UNO his tight ends helped the Mavericks lead the North Central Conference in rushing. They averaged an impressive 208 yards per game. In 2001 Weiser was a graduate assistant wide receiver coach at Southern Arkansas University and in 2000 he coached defensive and tight ends at his alma mater Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Las Cruces High won the 2000 New Mexico Class 5A state championship.

Weiser, originally from Las Cruces, NM, attended college and played football at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in Portales, NM. While playing at ENMU he started two years at tight end and one year at defensive end. In 1999 ENMU won the Lone Star Conference South Division championship.

In 2000 Weiser received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a minor in History from ENMU and in 2003 he earned his Masters degree in Education from Southern Arkansas University.

Mr. Russ Shearer
Defensive Back's Coach

Coach Russ Shearer makes his way to the Cumberlands sidelines for his second season where he will assist with the defensive scheme coaching the secondary.

During the 2006 season Shearer coached a secondary that improved nearly every game. The highlights of the season included leading a unit that led the Mid-South Conference in Overall Pass Defense and coaching a freshman to a 2 nd team All-Conference selection. “I feel that last year we were able to get the basic idea of the defense and make some great plays. I’m really looking forward to the 2007 season because I believe we will be able to be more creative and effective with our play calling and in turn become a better defense,” Shearer stated.

Prior to coaching at the Cumberlands, Shearer was the Defensive Coordinator for the Evansville Blue Cats, a professional indoor football team based in Evansville, Indiana. Prior to that, Coach Shearer gained a season of experience as a running back’s coach at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS and two years as an offensive skill coach at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona.

Coach Shearer spent his collegiate days at Northern Arizona University at Thatcher where he earned a degree in Communications in 2002.

“I like the small town atmosphere and the family feel of the campus,” said Shearer. “I have lived in Kentucky for a long time and have been witness to the development of the campus, the students, and the football program. I am proud to be a part of it. I came to this University to be a part of a championship program and I believe that 2007 will be that year.”

A native of Irvine, Kentucky, Shearer was graduated from Estill County High School and was an All-State Honorable Mention Defensive Back in 1996. He earned an athletic scholarship to Patriot gridiron foe Georgetown College, later he transferred to another Cumberlands opponent in Campbellsville University where he lettered in golf.

Mr. Kyle Singleton
Defensive Line

Kyle Singleton is joining the Patriot coaching staff for his second season as an assistant coach. In this capacity, Singleton will coach the defensive line for Cumberlands. Singleton spent the 2006 season as a graduate assistant for the Patriots.

Singleton is coming off a successful collegiate playing career as a Patriot for Cumberlands. During his tenure he was a three-year starter, was named First team All-Mid-South Conference in 2005 and Second team All-American in Don Hansen’s prestigious honors. He was instrumental on the offensive line that led the nation in rushing for the past two seasons and helped to build the Patriot football team into a play-off contender. In 2005 he was graduated from Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Remaining a Patriot was an easy decision for Singleton who says, “Cumberlands is a wonderful institution that provides numerous opportunities for student-athletes to gain a quality education. The football program has established itself as one of the premiere programs in the nation and I am proud to be a part of that continued tradition.”

Singleton is a native of Richmond, Kentucky where he was graduated from Madison Central High School.

Mr. Jordan Brown
Punters/Kickers/Wide Receivers
Updated 4/21/08

Jordan Brown is entering his second year on the coaching staff this season as a graduate assistant. In this capacity, he will be coaching the wide receivers, kickers, and punters for the Patriots.

Jordan contributed greatly to the football program at the Cumberlands in his three years as a punter. In his senior year (2006), he broke the school record for the longest punt with a 71 yard ball, and contributed to help the Patriots beat a #5 nationally ranked team. In the 2006 season, Brown was named to the Mid-South Conference Second Team Defense for his outstanding contributions. In the spring of 2007, Brown graduated from the Cumberlands with a double major in Biology and Pyschology. He was also named to the All-Conference Academic Team his senior year. He is currently pursuing a career in the medical field, outside of coaching the Patriots

Brown has high expectations for the Patriot Football program after winning the conference title last season. To him, the best part of being a coach is, "Getting to see players grow from boys to men right before your eyes in the span of four years. Also, having an influence on their lives and helping them develop emotionally, physically, and most of all, spiritually. It is my desire that all players I come in contact with learn about the love of Jesus Christ and how He has impacted my life."

Jordan Brown reigns from London, KY where he was graduated from North Laurel High School.

Mr. Matt Rhymer
Outside Linebackers

Matt Rhymer will join the Patriot Football staff after contributing four years as a Patriot starter. Rhymer holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health and will be a graduate assistant coach for the outside linebackers.

Matt has been a great contribution to the Cumberlands football program with over 200 tackles in his career and was named the team captain for this past season. Matt also has been grateful to have experienced being a part of the most winning team in school history and has played under the past Coach King and the current Coach Bland.

Rhymer believes the Cumberlands to be, “Growing into a dominant force in the Mid-South. Tradition is in here and the next level is expected. Greatness for the Patriots is going to happen soon.”

Matt hails from Harlan, KY and was graduated from Harlan High School. Rhymer is a 2007 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands.

Mr. Darren Stepp
Assistant Offensive Line/Tight Ends

Darren Stepp joins the Patriot staff after spending four years as a member of the team. Stepp holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health and will be the assistant offensive line and tight end coach.

Playing under Coach King and Coach Bland, Darren has witnessed the growth of the program throughout recent years. Seeking to aid in the continuance of this growth, Stepp looks forward to molding his players and watching them develop into fine student-athletes.

Stepp believes the Cumberlands to be “a great place to obtain an education while playing sports. The determination of the program places it on the verge of excellence.”

Darren is a native of Cartersville, Georgia and an alumnus of Cartersville High School. Stepp is a 2007 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands.