LEXINGTON, Va. – With spring season in full swing, VMI Football Coach Danny Rocco announced several staff assignments and promotions for the 2024 season.
Rocco his staff made an immediate impact in 2023, as VMI Football won five games for just the fourth time in the last 20 years, reclaimed the Silver Shako Trophy with a win over The Citadel and ended the season with a top-20 victory over No. 14 Western Carolina.
Patrick Ashford – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
A Tennessee native, 2024 will be Ashford's fourth in Lexington and third as the team's Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Under Ashford's direction in 2023, the rushing offense fared well, as Hunter Rice led the league in rushing touchdowns (14 – 4th nationally) and had the third-most yards on the ground (867).
Rich Yahner - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Yahner returns for his second year as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach in Lexington. In 2023, Yahner oversaw a defensive unit that ranked first in the Southern Conference in passing defense and landed middle linebacker Eric Rankin on the All-SoCon First Team.
Greg Wood – Director of Player Personnel/Special Teams Coordinator
Wood will return for his third year in Lexington, starting as a Specialists Coach and Video Coordinator before earning the Special Teams Coordinator title prior to the 2023 campaign. This season, Wood will also serve as the team's Director of Player Personnel. Among those Wood has coached in his short time at VMI are All-Americans Jack Culbreath (Punter) and Robert Soderholm (Long Snapper).
Pat Brown – Pass Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach/Cornerbacks
Brown is entering his second season with the Keydets. In his first year in Lexington, Brown worked as Secondaries Coach, working primarily with the cornerbacks. Under the tutelage of Brown, the secondary showed its strength throughout the year, as VMI was ranked first in the league in passing defense. Brown adds the title of Pass Game Coordinator for the upcoming 2024 season as he will oversee the whole secondary with a continued focus on the corners.
Dae'lun Darien – Assistant Secondary/Safeties
After serving as a volunteer assistant last season, Darien will now serve as the Assistant Secondary Coach in 2024. Alongside Coach Brown, Darien will focus on working with the safeties – a group which featured All-SoCon performer Evan Eller (graduated) in 2023.
AJ Hampton – Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Serving as the Wide Receivers coach and Recruiting Coordinator last season, Hampton will now have a more hands-on role in the offense, adding Pass Game Coordinator to his official duties. Under Hampton, Chance Knox hauled in 35 receptions in just seven games while rookie Egypt Nelson showed flashes of dominance, totaling 250 yards and a touchdown on 15 grabs.
JB Lageman – Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Lageman came to VMI prior to the 2022 season and has been the team's defensive line coach for the past two years, helping Geoffrey Speight earn All-Freshman honors in 2022 and Dorien Starnes earn All-SoCon Second Team recognition in 2023. Starnes (41.0 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and Speight (31.0 tackles, 5.0 TFL) combined for 71 stops last season under Lageman, while players like Hunter Robbins provided consistent reps along the line.
Greg Meyer – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends
Meyer joined Rocco's staff prior to the 2023 campaign, overseeing the tight end position. Meyer helped coach Aidan Twombly to First Team All-SoCon honors from both the media and coaches, serving as VMI's top target in the passing game with 557 yards and three touchdowns.
Keith Jones – Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs
Jones was an early addition to Rocco's staff, serving as the Running Backs Coach in 2023. Brown, who will add Run Game Coordinator to his title in 2024, oversaw a historic season from Hunter Rice, who finished the season fourth in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 14.
Elliot Wratten – Offensive Line
Wratten comes to VMI with 15 years of coaching experience, having previously worked at Indiana and – most recently – Alcorn State. Serving as both offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Alcorn State, Wratten will take over the offensive line duties for the Keydets.
Ellis Spratlin – Head Strength and Conditioning/Chief of Staff
Spratlin came to post during the summer of 2022 and has been the team's Director of Strength and Conditioning for the last two seasons. Spratlin's work in and out of the weight room has helped spark strong performances for VMI, earning him the title of "Chief of Staff" for 2024.
Peter Capone - Director of Football Operations
Capone worked the previous two years for the Marist Football program, serving as the Director of Football Operations while overseeing equipment, team managers, travel and video.
Stay tuned to vmiathletics.com, @vmiathletics and @vmi_football for the latest news and schedule updates.
