UC's Tuberville closing in on 150-win milestone
Throughout preseason camp, Enquirer UC football beat reporter Tom Groeschen has been taking a look at the Bearcats' various position groups. Today, a glance at the UC coaches.
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HEAD COACH
Tommy Tuberville (18-8 at Cincinnati, 148-85 overall)
Entering his third year at UC. Best known for his 10-year tenure at Auburn (1999-2008), including a No. 2 finish in both major polls in the 2004 season. Multiple national Coach of the Year awards in 2004, including the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award. Also head coach at Ole Miss (1995-98) and Texas Tech (2010-12). Won three national title rings while an assistant at Miami (Fla.) between 1986-93. Will turn 61 on Sept. 18.
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ASSISTANT COACHES
Robert Prunty (Associate HC/Co-Defensive Coordinator/DL): Third year at UC. Also coached under Tuberville at Texas Tech. Named top recruiter in American Athletic Conference the past two years by Scout.com. Former head coach at Hargrave Military Academy (Va.).
Steve Clinkscale (Co-Defensive coordinator/DB): Third year at UC. Shares defensive coordinator title with Prunty but will call defensive plays on game day. Assistant coaching stops include Toledo, Illinois. Four-year starter as collegian at Ashland (Ohio).
Eddie Gran (Offensive coordinator/RB): Third year at UC under Tuberville, also coached WRs at UC from 1992-93. Coached under Tuberville at Ole Miss and Auburn, was fellow assistant with Tuberville at Miami (Fla.). Also has coached at Tennessee, Florida State.
Darin Hinshaw (Passing game coordinator/QB): Third year at UC. Assistant coaching stops include Tennessee, Memphis. Former standout QB at Central Florida.
Ty Linder (Special teams coordinator/TE): First year at UC. Worked under Tuberville at Texas Tech. Also has worked on TCU, Oklahoma State staffs.
Darren Hiller (Offensive line): Third year at UC. Previous coaching stops include Nevada, Arkansas State. As player, was two-year starter at guard for West Texas A&M.
Kenny Ingram (Defensive tackles): First year at UC. Spent past two years as director of player development at Auburn. Coaching stops include Memphis, where he was defensive coordinator in 2009.
Jeff Koonz (Linebackers): Second year at UC, coached safeties in 2014. Student/grad assistant under Tuberville at Auburn. Coaching stops also include Texas, Iowa State, Louisiana Tech.
Blake Rolan (Wide receivers): Third year at UC. Grad assistant under Tuberville at Auburn. Also has worked at Tennessee, West Georgia. Was QB and TE as player at Middle Tennessee State.
Joe Walker (Strength & conditioning): Third year at UC. Came with Tuberville from Texas Tech. Also worked under Tuberville at Auburn. Coaching stops also include TCU, Kansas State, Pitt.
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Number of note
58 – Tuberville's ranking on the all-time major college football coaches victory list, with 148. Tuberville is tied with John Heisman and needs one win to tie Frank Broyles for 57th place, according to SportsReference.com.
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Did you know
As a player, Tuberville lettered as a free safety at Southern Arkansas University. Tuberville also played two years on the golf team at Southern Arkansas, and once quipped: "I did it to get out of spring football."
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Outlook
UC was voted by league media to win the 2015 American Athletic Conference championship. The Bearcats should have a potent offense behind quarterback Gunner Kiel, but questions remain for a team that ranked No. 96 nationally last year in total defense.
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Season opener
Saturday Sept. 5 against Alabama A&M at newly renovated Nippert Stadium (7 p.m., Fox Sports Ohio).
Alabama A&M, an FCS team from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, went 4-8 in each of the past two seasons.
UC, an FBS team, was 9-4 in each of the past two seasons.