Spring Break began with a gift that came in the form of a

completed 2014 coaching staff for the Georgia Southern University football team.

With the hire of Alex Atkins as the offensive line coach, spring camp can

get underway with full focus on the players.

The former University of Tennessee at Martin offensive lineman was announced as part of the 2014 coaching staff on March 10.

While at UT Martin, Atkins received All-America and All-Conference honors. He was a 4-year starter who blocked for two 1,000 yard rushers while helping the Skyhawks to a 9-3 record during his senior year.

Atkin’s coaching has taken him from UT Martin, to Marshall University, Itawamba Community College and most recently the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Now he is in Statesboro looking to lead the Eagles linemen during their first FBS season.

He will not be a stranger to the coaching staff however. He was recruited out of high school to UT Martin by current GSU defensive ends coach, Johnny Jernigan. They seem to have a close working relationship that will only improve the chemistry of the linemen.

GSU will begin the 2014 season with an almost entirely new coaching staff led by head coach Willie Fritz. This will be the first season in the Sun Belt which will include games against the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University and the United States Naval Academy. The Eagles will make their debut appearance on August 30 in Raleigh, NC as they take on North Carolina State University.