denares waites

Dino Waites

Twitter: @coachwaites

Dino Waites enters his first season as the safeties coach at VMI.

He comes to VMI from Albany State in Georgia where he was co-defensive coordinator and handled safeties responsibilities. He 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.

Waites also coached at his alma mater Carson-Newman for eight years and led the secondary for seven seasons. He was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013.

A former standout safety at Carson-Newman, Waites was a two-time preseason All-SAC selection and in 2007 ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 10 and in pass breakups with 10.

Coach Wachenheim on Waites:
"Dino Waites was with Coach Reveiz at Albany State and was a key ingredient to the success they had. Coach Waites is an excellent teacher and motivator."