John Bland is entering his 8th season as the head football coach for the Patriots, having finished the 2012 campaign 10-2 overall and 4-1 in the Eastern Division.  The team finished second in the eastern division and earned a final National ranking of 7th.  That ranking secured a home playoff spot which resulted in a victory in the 1st round of the National Playoffs. The Patriots had 14 players represented on the All MSC-East Team and 2 Conference Players of the Year.  

From 2006 through 2012, Bland has lead the Patriots to 4 conference championships, 5 NAIA Playoff appearances, captured the Brass Lantern 6 out of 7 times, has been named MSC Coach of the Year 4 times and Regional Coach of the Year once in 2008.  His total record at Cumberlands is 57-20 and his overall record as a head coach is 62-25.  Since 2006, there has been 91 All Conference players, 19 All-Americans, 8 Conference Players of the Year, 45 Academic All-Conference selections, and 12 Academic All-Americans.  In 2009 and 2010, the American Football coaches Association(AFCA), selected P.J. Hughes ('09) and Madison McCalmon ('10) to the All State Good works team.   

Bland came to the Patriots after spending five years as the quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division I-A Rice University in Houston, Texas. While at Rice, Bland under Ken Hatfield's reign, was instrumental in assisting the Owls' in gaining the most wins in a season since 1953 with an 8-4 record in 2001. Since that time, Rice was sixth in the nation in rushing in 2002, second in 2003, and led the nation in 2004. Bland's quarterbacks accounted for almost one-third of the team's rushing totals during that time and in 2003 his quarterback was the first in Rice history to rush and pass for 2000 yards in a career.

Prior to Rice, Bland coached at NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University. Bland served as an assistant coach from 1994-1999 and was promoted to head coach in 2000. While there, Bland's offense broke several school and conference records, led the conference in scoring in 1998 and 1999, and was among the conference leaders in most offensive categories. In 1997, the Muleriders won the Gulf South Conference championship and were ranked 10th nationally.

Bland also gained invaluable experience at Central High School in Columbia, Tennessee where he served as an assistant coach for two years. In graduate school, at Auburn University, he worked as a graduate assistant under Pat Dye and while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas he served as a student assistant.

Bland spent his collegiate playing days at the University of Arkansas where he was a four year letterman as a quarterback. While in Fayetteville, Bland helped the Razorbacks to four consecutive bowl appearances in the Holiday, Liberty, Orange, and Cotton Bowls. He was named the permanent captain for the 1988 Southwest Conference Championship squad that competed in the Cotton Bowl.

Coach Bland holds a master's degree in Kinesiology from Auburn University and a bachelor's degree, also in Kinesiology, from the University of Arkansas. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Bland is a graduate of Farragut High School where he was an All-State recipient playing at the quarterback and defensive back positions.

"I am thankful to God to have been given the opportunity to coach and have such a supportive family. I believe University of the Cumberlands is a quality university in a nice, small town and a great place to raise a family. My passion and calling, I feel, is to help mold young men into leaders of our community. At Cumberlands, the environment allows me the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the student-athletes lives. The chance to see young men develop spiritually, academically, and athletically is one of the most appealing aspects," said Bland.

UC Athletic Director Randy Vernon stated, "We are very happy and fortunate to have Coach Bland on our athletic staff. His qualifications and experience are second to none and Cumberlands football program will benefit under his leadership. He is a quality individual and his morals and standards are a perfect fit for what University of the Cumberlands is trying to pass along to our student-athletes."

Coach Bland and his wife, Candis, reside in Williamsburg with their three children, Shreve, Jade, and Bo.

Email me: John.Bland@ucumberlands.edu
Call me: 606-539-4451
My recruiting areas are: Tennessee counties: Anderson, Benton, Blount, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Knox, Loudon, Madison, McNairy, Roane, Sevier, and Weakley. 

Last Updated 8/1/12

Edgar Weiser is entering his eighth season as an assistant coach at University of the Cumberlands. Coach Weiser helped guide one of the best offenses in the NAIA in 2012, as well as guiding them to a 10-2 record and a first round NAIA FCS victory. Between 2007-2010 UC won the Mid-South Conference (MSC) East three times, as well as the MSC West once and have advanced to the NAIA Football Championship Series Playoffs in five of the past seven seasons. He has coordinated the offensive and special teams units that have been ranked amongst the top units in the country in recent seasons. Under his guidance UC earned their highest ranking in school history at 6^th in 2008 as well as finishing 2012 ranked 7^th in the final NAIA poll,  while also earning the programs only 2 playoff victories in school history.

The offense has had much success under Weiser. In 2012, UC had it’s best offense to date as they ranked 1^st in the country in total rushing offense (4,023), 2^nd in the country in Rushing Offense per game (335.30), 3^rd in the country in Total Scoring Offense (540), and also 3^rd in the country in Scoring Offense per game (45.00).  Also, in 2010, UC was 4th in the nation in rushing (275.0 ypg) and 13^th in the nation in scoring offense (38.0 ppg). In 2009, UC was 2^nd in the nation in rushing (290.1 ypg) and 18^th in the nation in scoring offense (32.3 ppg). In 2008, UC was second in the nation in rushing (270.6 ypg) and 14^th in the nation in scoring (34.8 ppg). In 2007, UC was 4^th in the nation in rushing (282.0 ypg) and 17^th in the nation in scoring (30.9 ppg).

The special teams units have also been a key component to UC's success. In 2010, UC's punter, Mitchell Mascaro, was named MSC Special Teams Player of the Week twice. Brendan Kelly was third in total Punt Returns (287), and returned three kicks for TD's (1KOR, 2PR). That year the Patriots also finished 1^st in the nation as a team for Punt Return Yds per Attempt (22.00). In 2009, UC finished ranked 8^th in the country in kickoff returns (22.8 ypr). In 2008, Maurice Berryhill was ranked 7^th in the nation in punt returns (13.2 ypr) and 15^th in the nation in kickoff returns (24.2 ypr). In 2007, Moses Cochran led the nation in kickoff returns for touchdowns with three.

Many of Weiser's players have been recognized and rewarded for their work both on and off the field:

Ronnie Bowling- Academic All-Conference 06-08, NAIA Academic All-American 07-08, MSC- Champion of Character 08, and played in the Victory Sports Network (VSN)All-Star game 09

Moses Cochran- Victory Sports Network 2^nd team All-American Kick Return Specialist 07

Josh Frosch- Academic All-Conference 06-08, NAIA Academic All-American 08, MSC-East Honorable Mention 07, MSC-East 1st team 08, and played in VSN All-Star game 09

Shelby Goldey- MSC-East Honorable Mention 07, and played in VSN All-Star game 08

Colby Hitchcock- MSC-West Honorable Mention 2010, MSC-West All Conference First Team 2011, 2012 NAIA Preseason All American, BSN 1^st team All-American 12, MSC 1^st Team All-Conference 12

Brendan Kelly- MSC-West 1^st Team Kick Return Specialist 10

Thomas Leinenbach- MSC-East 1^st team 07, Victory Sports Network Honorable Mention All-American 07, and a finalist for the "All That's Right in Sports" award 07

William Marshall- Academic All-Conference 09, NAIA Academic All-American '11

Madison McCalmon- Academic All-Conference 07-10, NAIA Academic All-American 08-10, MSC-Champion of Character 09-10, AFCA Allstate Good Works Team 2010, and CoSIDA ESPN All-District Team 2010

Hunter Meade- MSC-East Honorable Mention Kicker 08

Justin Norman- MSC-East 1^st Team 08-09, MSC-West 1^st Team 2010, and Victory Sports Network 2^nd Team All-American 2010

John Patton- MSC-East 2^nd Team 06

Alex Roepe- Academic All-Conference 08-09 and NAIA Academic All-American 09

Justin Walsh- MSC-East Honorable Mention 09 and started 45 consecutive games 07-10 (school record)

Al Merrick- Daktronics-NAIA Football Scholar Athlete 12, MSC Academic All-Conference 12

Dekeldric Felton- MSC Honorable Mention Return Specalist 12

Mitchell Mascaro- 1^st team MSC All-Conference Selection Punter 12, Academic All-Conference 12

Justin Dyer- MSC Academic All-Conference 12

Weiser came to the University of the Cumberlands after spending two years as a high school assistant coach in Texas. As the offensive line coach at Hendrickson High School (Pflugerville, TX) he helped lead Hendrickson to their first playoff appearance in school history (2005). Weiser was also instrumental in guiding an offensive line unit that opened up holes for three different running backs that gained 500 yards or more.

Weiser spent the 2003 season as the tight ends coach at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) where he coached first team all Ohio Valley Conference and 2nd team All-American tight end Ray Goodson.

In 2002, Weiser served as the tight ends coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). While at UNO his tight ends helped the Mavericks lead the North Central Conference in rushing. They averaged an impressive 208 yards per game.

In 2001 Weiser was a graduate assistant wide receiver coach at Southern Arkansas University and in 2000 he coached defensive and tight ends at his alma mater Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Las Cruces High won the 2000 New Mexico Class 5A state championship.

Weiser, originally from Las Cruces, NM, attended college and played football at Eastern New Mexico University (1996-99) in Portales, NM. While playing at ENMU he started two years at tight end and one year at defensive end. In 1999 ENMU won the Lone Star Conference South Division championship.

In 2000 Weiser received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a minor in History from ENMU and in 2003 he earned his Master's degree in Education from Southern Arkansas University.

Email me: Edgar.Weiser@ucumberlands.edu
Call me: 512-867-5150

My recruiting areas are: Florida, and Junior College Transfers

The following counties in Kentucky: Adair, Allen, Anderson, Ballard, Barren, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Bracken, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Casey, Christian, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Hopkins, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Larue, Lincoln, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Mercer, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Russell, Scott, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Waren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Woodford.

The following counties in Georgia: Barrow, Butts, Carroll, Clarke, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Gwinnet, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Lincoln, McDuffle,  Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, Spalding, Taliaferro, Troup, Upson, Walton, Warren, and Wilkes.

Last Updated:  04/15/13

Entering into his seventh year as defensive coordinator is Coach Michael Collins.

Collins' defense has helped the Patriots win four Conference championships in his six years. The defense finished 1^st in the MSC in rushing yards allowed per game. In 2012 the patriot's defense will return 9 starters. With a seasoned group of veterans and a quality group of freshmen the defense is hungry for another MSC championship.
 

Collins joined the Patriot coaching staff after a successful three-year stint at Pascagoula High School in Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as the defensive coordinator garnering a Division Championship in 2003.

Prior to Pascagoula, Collins served as an assistant coach at Clarksdale High in Clarksdale, Mississippi where, in two years, he helped achieve a 24-3 record and a state championship title. Collins also gained his expertise while earning his undergraduate degree at Northeast Mississippi Community College and later Delta State University where he learned the game as a student assistant coach. Collins was graduated from Delta State University in 2001 with a degree in Physical Education.

"Cumberlands offers a great Baptist, Christian atmosphere from the moment you step on the campus," stated Collins. "I know this atmosphere is a great place for me and my family. I am so thankful for the support and dedication that I have from my family. They too, love the Patriots. In fact, my father, my wife, and my children, have not missed a single game in our six years at Cumberlands."

Collins is a native of Clinton, Mississippi. He and his wife, Pamela, along with their family, Spencer and Sloan, look forward to yet another exciting Patriot football season.

PJ Hughes is entering his second season as the linebackers coach for the University of the Cumberlands. He is a 2010 graduate of the Cumberlands, where he was graduated with a double major in Business Administration and Communication Arts.

While at Cumberlands, Hughes experienced a lot of success over his collegiate career. Three Mid-South Conference East Division championships, three trips to the NAIA National Football Play-off Series, the 2009 East Division Defensive Player of the Year, the 2009-2010 Mid-South Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, the only NAIA member named to the 2009 AFCA Good Works Team, and 2008 Mid-South Conference Honorable Mention are just a few.

Defensively, Hughes stepped up in his third year as a starter and led the Patriots with 97 total tackles and recorded an interception. Hughes ended his career with 334 total tackles which ranks him second all-time in the record book for most tackles in a career.

"After the call from Coach Bland, I knew God meant for me to stay at UC," said Hughes. "I know how many good men there are on this football team, and I will do my best to help them grow not only as football players, but more importantly as people. The impact coaches can have on players' lives is immense, and I am glad that I have the chance to be a part of this great program."

Indiana and Illinois

Chandler Tygard is entering his first season with the Patriot staff and will serve as the Defensive Line Coach as well as helping with the Special Teams.

Coach Tygard comes from the University of Tennessee where he worked as a Defensive Student Assistant for three years, then becoming a Defensive Quality Control Coach with the Volunteers for three more seasons. 

"The University of the Cumberlands has an incredible campus with a close knit family community," said Tygard. "UC offers a great college experience with Christian values while giving the opportunity to play extremely competitive college football. The buildings on campus really impressed me on my first visit to Williamsburg and the people made it an easy decision to become a Patriot."

While at Tennessee, Coach Tygard was able to work for some of the best Defensive Coordinators in the NCAA.  In 2008, he worked for a defense that ranked 11^th in the country in total defense.  He was also able to coach many special players.  Five players on the defensive side of the ball played in the NFL in Coach Tygard's tenure.  He was also able to coach the first two freshmen linebackers to ever start for the University of Tennessee, who were both chosen 1^st team Freshmen All-SEC. 

Tygard said about coaching, "The best thing about coaching is working with the players every day, teaching them about football and life skills. It is the best feeling to teach someone how to become a better player and see it pay off on the field thru their hard work and dedication."

Chandler hails from Nashville, TN and was a graduate from Montgomery Bell Academy.  He is a 2009 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in History. 

Tennessee counties: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Vanburen, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson. 

My recruiting territories are: Tennessee Counties: Dyer, Fayette, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, and Tipton.