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Football

New Look Coaching Staff Highlights VMI Spring Football

New faces in different places will be the look of the 2022 VMI Football coaching staff when spring practice kicks off Thursday afternoon at Fiorini Field.

All but two of the twelve position coaching assignments on the staff will have a name different from the 2021 fall season.  

Head coach Scott Wachenheim welcomes in seven new coaches for his eighth season on post and three returning assistants will have significantly new responsibilities in 2022.  

The new arrivals are Nick Reveiz (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), JB Lageman (Defensive Line), Bilal Marshall (Wide Receivers), Dino Waites (Safeties), Greg Wood (Specialists), Dylan Almond (defensive assistant), and Ben Housewright (offensive assistant).

Returning coaches who move to different assignments in 2022 are Pat Ashford (Offensive Coordinator from Wide Receivers), Bill Parker (Cornerbacks from Running Backs), and Kendrick Scott (Running Backs from Cornerbacks). Offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie has added run game coordinator to his responsibilities and tight ends coach Chris Moore will continue to coordinate specialist teams.

"The VMI Football family has had the opportunity to bring several new coaching staff members to post. The positive energy and enthusiasm these coaches have brought is contagious," said Wachenheim.  "Our recent successes have also afforded us the opportunity to promote some current staff members to new positions. I am looking forward to seeing our team come together this spring as we implement the new ideas these men bring to our program."

nick reveiz Nick Reveiz – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 
Comes to VMI from Albany State (Ga.) where he spent five seasons…Albany State defense was ranked #1 in scoring defense in 2021 and advanced to the opening round of the Division II playoffs…also coached at Carson-Newman (2013-2016) where he was running backs coach before transitioning to linebackers coach…played at University of Tennessee where he was two-time team captain and earned preseason All-SEC honors…one of 10 Vols to start every game in 2010 for UT and posted at least 14 tackles in three different games…father Fuad was a Vols' placekicker who played in the NFL for 11 years – Coach Wachenheim on Reviez – "Coach Nick Reveiz is a tremendous competitor and led a defensive unit that was ranked number one in the nation in total and scoring defense at the NCAA Division II level this past season. Nick's passion for coaching young men is inspiring."

 jb lageman JB Lageman – Defensive Line
Comes to VMI from McNeese State where he developed a nationally ranked defensive line unit over two seasons…his fall 2021 unit ranked 28th in rush defense and 13th in total sacks (33) and the Spring 2021 unit ranked 6th nationally in totals sack with 25 and was 15th in total tackles for loss with 45…also served as defensive line coach at Florida Tech in 2019 and was on the University of Louisville staff for four seasons serving as both a defensive graduate assistant and defensive quality coach…was outside linebackers for Concord University's 2014 team that went 11-0…graduate of West Virginia University where he played defensive line. Coach Wachenheim on Lageman – "JB Lageman is a proven defensive line coach who coached some of the most productive defensive lineman in Division 1 FCS football. He is a technician who is highly respected throughout the coaching community."
 
denares waites Dino Waites – Safeties
Comes to VMI from Albany State (Ga.) where he was co-defensive coordinator and handled safeties responsibilities…helped coach a defensive unit that was ranked #1 in scoring defense in 2021 and advanced to the opening round of the Division II playoffs…also coached at his alma mater Carson-Newman for eight years and led the secondary for seven seasons…was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013….was a former standout safety at Carson-Newman and was a two-time preseason All-SAC selection and in 2007 was fourth on the team in tackles with 10 pass breakups with 10…Coach Wachenheim on Waites – "Dino Waites was with Coach Reveiz at Albany State and was a key ingredient to the successes they had. Coach Waites is an excellent teacher and motivator."

bilal marshall Bilal Marshall – Wide Receivers
Comes to VMI from West Virginia University where he was a graduate assistant coach working on the offensive side of the ball with the wide receivers for two years…began coaching career at Champagnat High School where he was offensive coordinator and coached wide receivers for a team that won the Florida Class 2a State Championship…was a two-year starting wide receiver at Purdue and played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl in 2012…played the 2017 season in the CFL for the Ottawa Red Blacks…Coach Wachenheim on Marshall – "Bilal Marshall is a highly successful young man who brings his experience of playing wide receiver at Purdue University to our receiving corps. His coaching experience at West Virginia University makes him a perfect fit for us offensively. His love for the game is invigorating."

greg wood Greg Wood – Specialists
Arrives at the Institute after serving as a special teams quality control coach at the University of Minnesota for one season…also coached special teams for one year each at University of Akron and Carroll University…was a punter at Valparaiso University from 2009-2012…was a Chicago Bears mini-camp invitee in 2013…originally from Libertyville, Illinois…worked in private business before launching coaching career…Coach Wachenheim on Wood – "Greg Wood is a very detailed kicking specialist who will continue the dramatic improvement our specialists have shown. Greg has an outstanding work ethic and has a systematic approach of instruction."

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Wachenheim is also excited about the new roles for the assistant coaches who served on last year's team that helped the Keydets attain back-to-back winning campaigns for the first time since the early 60's.

"Anybody that has watched Bill Parker work can see why I chose to promote him to Assistant Head Football/Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach," said Wachenheim. "Bill has modernized the way our coaches help support our academic programs. He has personalized our recruiting efforts improving our relationships with coaches throughout the county. Coach Parker has the rare trait of seeing something that needs to be done and doing it better than could be imagined."

VMI will have its third offensive coordinator over four years, but Wachenheim sees it as an opportunity for the the "Air Raid" offense to evolve to an even higher level.

"VMI has continually improved on offense the past four seasons. Therefore, it was easy to promote Pat Ashford to the position of Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach. Pat has experience working with some of the top offensive coordinators in college football. He has an innovative mind and will keep the VMI offense moving forward at a fast and furious pace."
 
On Abercrombie's assignment as run game coordinator, Wachenheim noted, "A little-known fact about VMI football last season was that we were ranked 18th in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed. That was due in most part to the efforts of our offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie and his offensive line. Therefore, I promoted Coach Abercrombie to the position of run game coordinator."

Wachenheim is excited about the prospects of Kendrick Scott moving to a new role on the offensive side and Chris Moore returning to coordinate VMI special teams play which has improved dramatically over the last three years.

"Kenny Scott has moved over to coach our running backs. He has experience playing offense and defense and his unique perspectives will help our running backs be complete players. Chris Moore returns as the Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach. Chris is an outstanding instructor and great encourager. Last season our Kickoff Coverage Unit was ranked 22nd in the nation and several of our special team performers were recognized on All Conference and All-American teams."

2022 VMI Football Coaching Staff
Scott Wachenheim – Head Coach
Billy Parker - Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/CB
Nick Reveiz - Defensive Coordinator/LB
Patrick Ashford - Offensive Coordinator/QB
Chris Moore - Specialist Team Coordinator/TE
Jack Abercrombie - Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Greg Wood - Specialists/Video Coordinator
Kendrick Scott - Running Backs Coach
Bilal Marshall - Wide Receivers Coach
J B Lageman - Defensive Line Coach
Dino Waites - Safeties Coach
Dylan Almond - Defensive Assistant
Ben Housewright - Offensive Assistant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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