Just when it seemed like Georgia Southern was going to make it out of the annual offseason coaching carousel unscathed, the GS coaching changes were made official Wednesday. Former Navy quarterback Lamar Owens was announced as the wide receivers coach.

In 2018, there was no wide receivers coach. So first-year offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse filled the role.  

Owens comes to Statesboro after an 11-year stint in Atlanta with Georgia Tech. The Benedictine grad spent the first nine years with the Yellow Jackets as A-backs coach and then was named the recruiting coordinator in 2017.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to join Coach Lunsford’s staff and be a part of the winning tradition here at Georgia Southern,” Owens said in a press release. “Being from Savannah and having coached in the state for over a decade, I am honored to contribute to the rich tradition of Georgia Southern football and I’m excited to get to work as we continue to build on the foundation that has been already put down.”

Lunsford applauded the positive work Owens did for Navy and GT on the field before commending his off-field work.

“I also like how he builds relationships with players and cares for the men he coaches,” Lunsford said. “Lamar brings a lot of energy and charisma and I know he will be very good for this program.”

Along with the addition of a wide receivers coach, the team also announced that DeBesse will work as the quarterbacks coach. 2018 quarterbacks coach Juston Wood was not retained for the 2019 season.

McClain Baxley, The George-Anne Daily Managing Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu