2018 football staff begins to take shape

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  • Lunsford was named head coach on Nov. 27, 2017. He is currently 2-4 as head coach of the Eagles.

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McClain Baxley
December 19, 2017

After Georgia Southern’s midseason termination of Tyson Summers, Eagle Nation watched with anticipation for who athletic director Tom Kleinlein would make head coach of the football team. It isn’t news that interim head coach Chad Lunsford was promoted to taking the position full time.

After the season concluded, Lunsford went into full recruitment and hiring mode. Since then he has made some moves that have fans and many sports fans across the nation very excited.

Chad Lunsford- Head Coach

The 2018 season will be Lunsford’s tenth season with the Georgia Southern coaching staff. Lunsford signed as head coach November 27 and has been very vocal with his passion and goals for the GS program.

Before taking over as head coach, Lunsford worked with wide receivers in 2013 and then moved to tight ends the following two seasons. In 2016, he took over the role of special teams coordinator. Prior to his return to GS in 2013, Lunsford served as the director of scouting at Auburn University from 2009-2012, winning a national championship in 2012.

Several of his postgame antics and celebrations have gone viral and Eagle Nation has already welcomed Lunsford with open arms.

Contract and Buyout

According to Lunsford’s contract, he signed an agreement for a period of one year starting Janurary 1, 2018 and expiring Dec. 31, 2018, unless its terminated sooner.

Kleinlein had stated at the press conference that Lunsford had signed a four-year deal, but per state policies, one cannot have a multi-year contract with the university, therefore he has a one- year contract with the school and a three-year contract through the Athletic Foundation.

Lunsford will have a base salary of $650,000 and can earn different bonuses depending on the amount of wins, winning the Sun Belt Conference, winning Coach of the Year awards or going to a bowl game.

In terms of the buyout, if the university terminates Lunsford before the agreement is over, the university will pay Lunsford $1 million, paid in equal installments at the end of each University pay period. The amount will be prorated by the number of months left in the partial year, if the contract is ended around the middle of the season. If Lunsford ends the contract, he will have to pay the amount.

For Lunsford full contract, click here.

Bob DeBesse- Offensive Coordinator

Debesse is a veteran to the coaching game with more than 30 years of experience. He began his coaching career at his alma mater Southwest Texas State before getting his first offensive coordinator title at TCU in 1990. After his two year stint in Fort Worth, DeBesse traveled around to coordinate and coach at different programs at all levels of college football. Most recently spending 6 years as offensive coordinator at New Mexico, bringing newfound success to a previously bad Lobo team.

Contract and Buyout

According to DeBesse’s contract, he signed an agreement for a period starting Dec. 1, 2017 and expiring Feb. 28, 2019, unless its terminated sooner.

DeBesse will have a base salary of $250,000 and can earn different bonuses depending on the amount of wins, winning the Sun Belt Conference, winning Coach of the Year awards or going and winning a bowl game.

In terms of the buyout, if the university terminates DeBesse before the agreement is over, the university will continue to pay DeBesse his annual base salary at the time of termination divided by 12, through his Feb. 28 contract termination. The amount paid in equal installments at the end of each University pay period. If DeBesse ends the contract, he will have to pay the amount.

For DeBesse’s full contract, click here.

Scot Sloan- Defensive Coordinator

Sloan is very familiar with both the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern after his 8 seasons at Appalachian State. As secondary coach, Sloan led the Mountaineers to great success including 53 interceptions over the past three years which was second nationally.

During his time in Boone, he coached two NFL players and won two Sun Belt titles. This won’t be Sloan’s first time coaching in the Boro as he served as defensive backs coach for the Eagles from 2002-2005.

Contract and Buyout

According to Sloan’s contract, he signed an agreement for a period starting Dec. 1, 2017 and expiring Feb. 28, 2019, unless its terminated sooner.

Sloan will have a base salary of $250,000 and can earn different bonuses depending on the amount of wins, winning the Sun Belt Conference, winning Coach of the Year awards or going and winning a bowl game.

Similar to DeBesse, if the university terminates Sloan before the agreement is over, the university will continue to pay Sloan his annual base salary at the time of termination divided by 12, through his Feb. 28 contract termination. The amount paid in equal installments at the end of each University pay period. If Sloan ends the contract, he will have to pay the amount.

For Sloan’s full contract, click here.

Victor Cabral- Assistant Coach

Cabral comes from FCS program Samford who went to the FCS playoffs twice. During his time with the Bulldogs, he helped coach the 2017 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Ahmed Gooden. Before Samford, Cabral was defensive line coach at Georgia Southern from 2010-2013 taking the Eagles to 3 FCS Semifinals.

Contract and Buyout

According to Cabral’s contract, he signed an agreement for a period starting Dec. 1, 2017 and expiring Feb. 28, 2019, unless its terminated sooner.

Cabral will have a base salary of $80,000 and can earn different bonuses depending on the amount of wins, winning the Sun Belt Conference, winning Coach of the Year awards or going and winning a bowl game.

Similar to DeBesse, if the university terminates Cabral before the agreement is over, the university will continue to pay Sloan his annual base salary at the time of termination divided by 12, through his Feb. 28 contract termination. The amount paid in equal installments at the end of each University pay period. If Cabral ends the contract, he will have to pay the amount.

For Cabral’s full contract, click here.

Matt Greenhalgh- Strength and Conditioning

Greenhalgh also comes from Appalachian State where he has spent the past four years working with the Mountaineer baseball and football teams.

Coaches being retained

Pat Bastien- LB coach

Bob Bodine- OL coach

Andrew Dodge- Special Teams coordinator

Olten Downs- Safeties

Chris Foster- recruiting coordinator

Jeremy Rowell- Assistant coach

Juston Wood- WRs

Zach Bell- Director of Recruiting

Jozsef Papp contributed to this report.