MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons Athletics Department announced Wednesday at a press conference that Joel Beard has been named Interim Head Coach for the 2010 football season. Beard replaces Damon Tomeo.
The Dragon's Head Football Coach Damon Tomeo announced today his intention to step down as the head football coach at MSU Moorhead. Coach Tomeo began employment with MSU Moorhead in July 2005 and became the Head Football Coach in May 2006. The University's decision to place Coach Tomeo on paid leave was consistent with contractual procedures and provided an opportunity for the school to evaluate it's current coaching situation. In light of his decision to leave MSUM, Coach Tomeo has agreed to accept reassignment to assist the University.
“I am excited that we can focus our energy on continuing to improve our football program.”
Doug Peters, MSUM Athletic Director said. “Coach Beard is the right coach for our program at this time.”
Beard served as the Interim Head Coach for the final five games of the 2009 season and has headed up MSUM's recruiting efforts for the 2010 season.
“The football program didn't get to this point overnight and won't get out of this situation overnight,” Peters said. “I feel that this is the best decision for our football program, the student-athletes and for the future of Dragons athletics.”
Peters also stated the Athletics Department and MSUM will conduct a national search that will coincide with the end of the next season (2010).
Beard resumes head coaching duties starting Jan. 6. Prior to being named the 2009 season's Interim Head Coach in October, he served as the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons. Beard was also selected to participate in the NCAA Football Coaches Academy and serves on the NCAA Summer Manual Committee.
“I'm very excited about the opportunity to lead the Dragons football program forward,” Beard said. “Our goal is to win everyday, win in the class room, win on the field and win at life.”
Peters and Beard announced that they have replenished the football staff with a mix of returning and new coaches.
“Coach Beard has worked hard to pull a staff together that is comprised of up-and-coming coaches,” Peters said. “I like the fact that they have all played college football and they have been involved with highly successful programs and well respected coaches.”
“I'm really excited to work with this group of coaches because the staff is really motivated and excited to better themselves and our program,” Beard said. “We are ready to hit the ground running.”
Brandon Lemer will continue to serve on the staff and take over the role as the team's Defensive Coordinator. Lemer joined the Dragons staff in the summer of 2007 and works specifically with the inside linebackers.
Damian Droessler has been named the Offensive Coordinator. Droessler comes to MSUM after serving as an assistant coach at Wartburg College (Iowa) where he worked specifically with the running backs. Prior to Wartburg, Droessler served for two seasons as an assistant coach at NSIC foe Bemidji State. Droessler played collegiate football at Wisconsin-Platteville.
Travis Anderson will remain the Wide Recievers Coach as well as be the Special Teams Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coach. He coached the defensive backs during the tail-end of the 2009 season. He joined the Dragons staff in 2007 after serving as a Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of North Dakota.
Also joining the Dragons staff is Timothy Kelly, who will serve as an assistant coach working with the defense. Kelly worked with the defensive line at Illinois Wesleyan University for the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach. IWU won the 2009 CCIW Championship. A graduate of Eastern Illinois State, he started all four years (48 games) as a defensive tackle for the Panthers. In 2008, Kelly was one of 25 participants selected to participate in the NCAA Future Coaches Program.
Jacob Topp, a former assistant at Grand Valley State (Mich.), was named the Offensive Line Coach. He served as a graduate assistant coach in charge of the offensive line in 2009, when the Lakers made it to the NCAA DII Championship game. Topp was a four-year performer for the Lakers, was a two-time All-Great Lakes Conference selection and played on the 2006 NCAA DII National Championship team.
Omar Young will serve as the Defensive Backs Coach. Young served as the Wide Receivers Coach at De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif., last season. Prior to DAC he worked for the Oakland Raiders and the San Jose SaberCats in Player Personnel and Pro-Scouting. He played football at Willamette University (Ore.).
Mike Haynes will return as an offensive assistant coach. Haynes brings experience in coaching wide receivers and running backs after serving as the offensive coordinator at Baraboo High School in 2008. He also played collegiate football at UW-Platteville.
Former Dragons football player, Bryce Leggins will join the staff as a defensive assistant coach. Leggins, a Dec. 2009 graduate of MSUM, ended his Dragons career as a Draddy Award semi-finalist, an award presented annually by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Candidates must be a senior or graduate student, maintain a grade point average of at least 3.2 (4.0 scale), have outstanding football ability and demonstrate strong leadership and citizenship. The NCAA also recognized Leggins for his achievements as a student-athlete, when he was selected as a recipient of the NCAA Degree Completion Scholarship. During his senior season, Leggins was credited for 34 tackles, four of which were for loss.
Bo Abraham will continue in his roll as an assistant coach after serving on the staff since 1971. Jake Purrier will continue to serve as a student coach in the 2010 season.
Peters also announced the resignation of Offensive Line Coach Ben Olson, Tight Ends Coach Mike Khoshkbariie and Outside Linebackers Coach Cale Peterson.
The Dragons athletics department will host a 'Meet and Greet' with the new football staff on Jan. 19, 2010, at the Comstock Memorial Union on the campus of MSUM from 4-6:30 p.m. in room 101. The 'Meet and Greet' is open to all alumni, friends and supporters of Dragons athletics. Most other members of the Dragons coaching staffs will also be in attendance. Cake and beverages will be complimentary.
