Louisiana hiring Chris Couch from Tulane to be special teams coordinator

[NewsCopy]

The Ragin' Cajuns are hiring Chris Couch away from Tulane after five seasons with the Green Wave to be their new special teams coordinator.

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Tim Buckley

[NewsCopy]

Chris Couch is in his fifth season as the special teams analyst/recruiting coordinator for the Green Wave in 2020.

In his current capacity, Couch assists with the Green Wave special teams unit and assists with recruiting.

Under Couch’s watchful eye, Tulane ranked third in the American Athletic Conference and 23rd in the nation in kickoff returns. The Green Wave were fourth in The American and 39th in FBS in punt returns.

Tulane running back/kick returner Amare Jones was fifth in the conference and 28th in the country in all-purpose yards per game at 123.92.

Long snapper Geron Eatherly was named a fourth Team All-America by Phil Steele Magazine for the second straight season.

In 2018, Tulane featured one of the American Athletic Conference’s top special teams units. The Green Wave’s kickoff return defense (third in the AAC/24th nationally) and kickoff return yardage (fourth in the AAC/38th nationally) were ranked among the best in The American and all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.

Tulane long snapper Geron Eatherly once again proved to be a consistent piece to the Green Wave special teams’ unit and following the season was recognized as Fourth Team All-American by Phil Steele Magazine.

In addition, then-freshman punter Ryan Wright earned freshman All-America honors by 247Sports.com following a rookie campaign where he averaged 44.0 yards per punt, which ranked 21st nationally and third in the league.

Fellow freshman Amare Jones also turned in an exceptional season in 2018, as he led The American and ranked fifth among all FBS teams in kickoff return yards, averaging 27.9 yards per return.

Couch came to Tulane from Point University where he served as a special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in 2015.

He helped the Skyhawks to a 9-3 overall record, a perfect 5-0 conference record and to the school’s first-ever playoff appearance. The Point special teams had arguably the best season in school history that year.

Among the NAIA national leaders, the Skyhawks ranked third in net punting, 20th in punt return yardage and 30th in kickoff return yardage. Under Couch’s tutelage, punter David Strickland and return specialist Brandon Robertson both received All-America nods. Two of Couch’s linebackers also received postseason accolades - Jared Moyston received All-America recognition and Quinstavious Johnson earned freshman All-Sun Conference honors.

Before that, Couch worked under Willie Fritz as a defensive graduate assistant at Georgia Southern. He assisted with linebackers in 2014 and defensive tackles in 2013. During his stint at Georgia Southern, he was able to be a part of the first ever BCS win over Florida in 2013 and a perfect 8-0 Sun Belt Conference record in 2014, while assisting in the coaching of future NFL players Edwin Jackson, Antwoine Williams and Ironhead Gallon.

Couch was the slot backs coach at Missouri Southern State University in 2012. With a 6-5 record, the Lions recorded their first winning season in a number of years, highlighted by an overtime win over second-ranked Missouri Western.

A native of Milledgeville, Georgia, Couch earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Georgia Southern in 2011 and his master’s degree in high education administration from Georgia Southern in 2015. Couch married his wife Susannah in May of 2019 and they currently reside in New Orleans.

Story source
tulanegreenwave.com
Press Release

[SlickRick]

Wonder what's the story on this development?

[Bankruptcyman]

Wonder what's the story on this development?

Yes. This is odd. Someone with ties to Willie Fritz leaving his side for what seems like a lateral move. Is he making more money here ? Or are there other issues at Tulane?

[wscoog]

Yes. This is odd. Someone with ties to Willie Fritz leaving his side for what seems like a lateral move. Is he making more money here ? Or are there other issues at Tulane?

He is leaving an "analyst" role to being an actual coach. A major promotion in the coaching world.

[Bankruptcyman]

He is leaving an "analyst" role to being an actual coach. A major promotion in the coaching world.

Well that makes more sense.

[SlickRick]

Well that makes more sense.

Yes, thanks for the clarification.

[fanof71]

Coach Fritz is the named target of the Kansas job.

[Rainman66]

They need to hire an AD now also.