86 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #86 Clayton Bardall

It's now 86 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a tight end:

#86 Clayton Bardall

Position Tight End
Height 6-3
Weight 235
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Cumming, Ga.
High School North Forsyth HS










2022 (Redshirt Junior): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with five starts at tight end … Caught 11 passes for 163 yards … Posted a season-high eight receptions for a season-best 89 receiving yards at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Credited with one tackle coming at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) ... Named to the 2022 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2023 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.

2021 (Redshirt Sophomore*): Played in eight of the team’s 11 games on the season with five starts to open the season at tight end … Caught four passes for 27 yards on the season … Recorded a catch in the first three games of the season with a season-long 15-yard reception against EKU (Sept. 4) in the opener … Named to the 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Changed his number to No. 18 after the opening weekend to allow Daquan Patten to wear No. 86 to honor the memory of his father, David Patten, who wore No. 86 in the NFL with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all nine of the team’s games with four starts on offense at tight end … Led WCU’s tight ends with 10 receptions and finished second on the team with 156 receiving yards … Paced the team with three receiving touchdowns on the season … Caught a nine-yard touchdown reception at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Was a team captain at Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21) where he met his older brother at midfield for the pregame coin toss … Made a then career-long 40-yard reception at EKU … Matched a career-high with four receptions for 42 yards and a TD at Samford (Feb. 27) … Hauled in a career-long 44-yard touchdown catch for a score at ETSU (March 27) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games on the season with three starts at tight end … Recorded eight receptions for 119 yards and his first career touchdown … Caught his first pass as a collegiate tight end in the home win over North Greenville (Sept. 14) in a six-yard TD reception … Caught a career-high four passes for 74 yards against Samford (Nov. 16) … Recorded a career-long reception of 28 yards against Samford, matching it a week later at nationally-ranked Alabama (Nov. 23) … Named 2019 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference and to the 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2018 (Freshman): Played in two games as a true freshman on special teams … Made his collegiate debut at Mercer (Oct. 20), recording a tackle assist … Also saw game action in the regular season finale at North Carolina (Nov. 17) … Expected to take a redshirt ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year varsity letter winner and starter … Caught two passes for 61 yards and a touchdown before an injury cut his senior season short … Had 15 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns as a junior, earning honorable mention All-Region accolades … Two-time Offensive Player of the Week … Received the Jack Snook Memorial Award at North Forsyth High for coach was Robert Craft… Finished his career with 34 tackles including 24 solo stops with two sacks and a pair of interceptions … Took part in the Blue-Grey All-American Combine prior to his senior season … Also plays baseball as a prep where he was the team leader in home runs.

Personal: Is the son of Rachael and Brad Bardall … Has an older brother, Jackson, who played football as an offensive lineman at Eastern Kentucky - the two met as opposing team captains before the November 2020 meeting (Opportunity Bowl), Jackson's Senior Day.

87 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #87 Jake Young

It's now 87 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a tight end:

#87 Jake Young

Position Tight End

Height 6-3
Weight 225
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Waxhaw, N.C.
College UNC Chapel Hill
High School Marvin Ridge HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from UNC-Chapel Hill

2022 - Freshman Season - Redshirted.

High School  A three-year player at Marvin Ridge... Caught 40 passes for 419 yards and two TDs over his final two seasons... Also had a passing and rushing TD... Added 49 tackles and three sacks ...  Selected to the Shrine Bowl, the Blue-Grey All-American Game and the Queen City Senior Bowl... Tabbed all-conference as a junior and senior... Earned all-county honors as a senior... played baseball and basketball 

Personal  Son of Shannon and Jason Young .. Father, Jason, played football at Western Carolina,  Sister, Maggie, is an all-conference middle blocker at Wingate.. Grandfather, John, was a pitcher for UNC baseball. Uncle, John, played basketball at Sewanee 

88 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - Brian Cochran

It's now 88 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #88, so we will highlight another assistant coach:

Brian Cochran 

TITLE Assistant Coach / Defensive LIne


Brian Cochran joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the defensive line coach ahead of spring drills in mid-March 2022. Cochran is a veteran collegiate coach who spent the previous four seasons in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) between both the University of Akron and Kent State University.

Cochran came to Cullowhee having spent the past three seasons as the defensive line coach at the University of Akron. He coached at rival Kent State in 2018 where he mentored second-team All-Mid-American Conference defensive lineman Kalil Morris.
His experience also includes a year in the Southern Conference as he coached the defensive line at Chattanooga in 2017. That season, the Mocs led the league in total defense, allowing just 326.4 yards per game overall and just over 300 yards of offense against conference opponents. UTC also paced the SoCon in pass defense and allowed the second-fewest first downs.

Much of Cochran’s football career has ties in Northeast Ohio. Before his stints at Akron and Kent State, he spent 11 seasons as a coach and four as a player at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, just east of Cleveland. He served in a variety of roles including defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and director of football operations at his alma mater. The Blue Streaks made three NCAA playoff appearances from 2013-16 including a semifinals appearance in 2016, finishing 13th in the nation in rushing defense and averaged just over three sacks per game.

In six of his 10 seasons at JCU, Cochran was the defensive line coach with the squad pacing in the nation in several categories including rushing defense and points allowed per game. His 2015 defensive line unit led the nation in sacks (45) and landed four players on the all-conference team, while JCU’s 2014 NCAA quarterfinalist team ranked seventh in the nation in total defense.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Cochran spent time as a head coach at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, from 2003-06 and as an assistant coach at both MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., and Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. In addition to football where he fostered 10 all-conference selections and one All-American, Cochran was the head wrestling coach at Heidelberg for two years.

A 1990 graduate of John Carroll University, Cochran was an All-American nose tackle as a senior in 1989, helping earn the program’s first NCAA Division III tournament bid. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1990. He was inducted into the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 30, 2011.

A native of Painesville, Ohio, Cochran, earned a master’s degree in education from Dayton in 1993.

89 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #89 Richard McCollum

It's now 89 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a kicker:

#89 Richard McCollum

Position Kicker
Height 5-9
Weight 175
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Sanford, N.C.
High School Southern Lee HS












2022 (Redshirt Junior): Saw action in all 11 of the team's games handling primary placekicking duties ... Three-time Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, first after WCU's season-opening road win at Charleston Southern, hitting a 42-yard field goal and a career-best seven PATs ... Went 4-for-4 on field goals at Samford (Sept. 24) to earn weekly honors ... Tallied his third award after hitting the game-winning 33-yard field goal at ETSU (Nov. 12), scoring eight points with two field goals and a pair of PATs ... Finished the season 17-of-19 on field goals and 40-of-41 on PATs for a team-best 91 points scored ... Named second-team All-Southern Conference selection by the SoCon Sports Media Association (SCSMA) ... Tabbed a third-team Associated Press All-America selection ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2023 NFF Hampshire Honor Society ... Earned 2022 Fall Academic All-SoCon honors ... Was a second-team preseason All-Southern Conference selection at placekicker by the league's head coaches ... Tabbed second-team preseason All-SoCon by Phil Steele.

2021 (Redshirt Sophomore*): Saw action in 10 of the team's 11 games on special teams ... Led WCU in scoring with 78 points, ranking seventh in the SoCon in points per game at 7.8 ppg ... Finished the regular-season as the NCAA FCS field goal percentage leader, the only kicker to remain perfect on the year (12-for-12, 1.000) … Hit two field goals in a game three times, going 2-for-2 in those instances ... Split the uprights on a season-long 40-yard field goal at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) … Was perfect on PATs this season, hitting all 42 attempts … Earned Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after WCU’s road win at Wofford, scoring a season-high 11 points with five PATs and two field goals of 37 and 23 yards … Also handled kickoff duties much of the season for WCU, averaging 58.0 yards per kick with five touchbacks ... Was named second-team All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele. ... Named 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in all nine of the team’s seasonal games on special teams … Connected on three of his six field goal attempts on the season and was 18-of-19 on PATs … Scored 27 points on the year … Matched a career-best with two made field goals (2-for-2) at Samford (Feb. 27) including a career-long 45-yard boot … Tied his career-high with a 45-yard field goal at ETSU (March 27) … Added two kickoffs on the year for an average of 40.0 yards per kick ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games on the season handling placekicks including field goals, PATs, and kickoffs … Connected on a career-best two field goals (2-for-3) in the home win over North Greenville (Sept. 14), scoring a career-high six points … Finished 5-for-5 including a career-best 4-for-4 on PATs at Chattanooga (Sept. 28) … Kicked off a total of 17 times for an average of 49.4 yards per kick with one touchback.

2018 (Freshman): Played in four games on the year, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Made his collegiate debut at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Handled kickoff duties in four games, kicking 20 times for an average of 56.0 yards per kick with two touchbacks … Kicked off a career-high nine times against VMI (Sept. 22) … Did not attempt a field goal or PAT ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Connected on 13-of-20 field goals as a senior including a career-long 51-yard field goal in 2017, adding 31 touchbacks on kickoffs … As a junior, connected on 44-of-45 PATs and was 14-of-20 on field goals including a long kick of 47-yards in a game as a part of earning the Cape Fear Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Year … Connected on a 60-yard field goal at practice in Twitter post that went viral … Received the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award from WRAL-TV in Raleigh ... High school coach was Joe Allison … Is bi-lingual and was the leader of his school’s Spanish Club … Also played baseball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Richard Larry McCollum … Is the son of Carolina and Fredy McCollum … Has two brothers, Freddy and Bryan … His older brother, Freddy, kicked collegiately at Wingate.

NOTE: McCollum has scored 207 career points to sit sixth in the program’s all-time record book for points scored – just 95 points shy of the school record of 302 scored by Kirk Roach (1984-87) ... He is 34-of-40 (85%) on field goals with his 34 successful FGs ranking fourth in school history ... Holds the school record for most consecutive successful PATs at 85-straight.

90 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #90 Marlon Alexander

It's now 91 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight another defensive lineman:

#90 Marlon Alexander

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-0
Weight 300
Class Senior
Hometown Smyrna, Tenn.
College Gardner-Webb
High School Smyrna HS






2023 (Graduate Student): Has one year of eligibility remaining entering the fall of 2022 ... Enrolled in WCU's graduate school in the spring semester.

2022 (Senior): Started nine of the 11 games in which he saw action along the defensive line ... Credited with 25 total tackles including 10 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks ... Tallied two stops including a tackle for loss in the win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) ... Posted half a sack against VMI (Oct. 1) and a full sack in the road win at ETSU (Nov. 12) ... Recovered a fumble with three tackles at Mercer (Oct. 8) ... Had a season-high five tackles in the upset win over Chattanooga (Nov. 19) ... Named to the 2022 Fall Academic Southern Conference team ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2023 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.

2021 (Junior): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with seven starts along the defensive line … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) and his first start at Oklahoma (Sept. 11) … Finished the season credited with 26 total tackles including 12 solo stops and five tackles for loss with one sack and a pair of quarterback hurries … Posted his WCU career-high with five tackles with two TFLs at Wofford (Oct. 30) ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Gardner-Webb during the summer of 2021; 

Gardner-Webb: In four games in 2021, recorded 14 tackles including two solo stops and 2.0 tackles for loss with a pair of half sacks … Had five tackles against Presbyterian; 

High School: Was rated a two-star prospect from 247Sports … Two-time All-Region 5-6A selection and was an all-district choice … Selected to play in the Toyota Tennessee East/West Game … Named 2018 Region 5-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year … A first-team All-Area selection by the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2018 … Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner … Finished 2018 season with 48 total tackles (30 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss and four sacks … Also recovered two fumbles … Blocked a pair of field goals … Had a season-high nine stops vs. Christ Presbyterian … Made seven stops vs. Stewarts Creek … Earned third-team All-Area honors from the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2017 … Had 44 total tackles (25 solo) as a junior … Added two sacks, two passes broken up and a blocked field goal … High school coach was Matt Williams.

Personal: Is the son of Relonda and Marvin Alexander ... Has a brother, Marvin Jr.

91 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #91 Jaquarius Guinn

It's now 91 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight another assistant defensive lineman:

#91 Jaquarius Guinn

Position Defensive Line

Height 6-2
Weight 280
Class Sophomore
Hometown Clover, S.C.
High School Clover HS








2022 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with 10 starts along the defensive front … Recorded 21 tackles on the year with seven solo stops with three tackles for loss including a pair of quarterback sacks … Posted tackles in nine of the 11 games on the season … Recovered a fumble and returned it 18 yards in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Recorded sacks at Samford (Sept. 24) and at home against VMI (Oct. 1) … Matched his career-high with five tackles twice, at Furman (Oct. 15) and in the home win over nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19).

2021 (Freshman*): Played in nine games with seven starts on the defensive line ... Credited with 14 total tackles including seven solo stops and one tackle for loss ... Had at least one tackle in each game he played ... Posted two tackles including one for a three-yard loss in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) ... Recorded a season-high three tackles at the road win at Wofford (Oct. 30), adding a second-quarter fumble recovery that led to a WCU offensive touchdown.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s seasonal games with four starts along the defensive line … Finished the year with 21 tackles including 19 coming in Southern Conference play in the spring semester with half a tackle for loss … Credited with a pair of quarterback hurries … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14), recording a solo tackle … Posted two tackles including half a tackle for loss at Samford (Feb. 27) … Recorded a career-best five tackles at Mercer (March 20) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named South Carolina (SCFCA) 5-A All-State along the defensive line and was selected to the North team in the South Carolina 2019 North-South game … Garnered Defensive Lineman of the Week honors from the The Herald in Rock Hill after tallying six tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection on the game-sealing interception … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … High school coach was Brian Lane.

92 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #92 Brandon Smiley

It's now 92 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight another assistant defensive lineman:

#92 Brandon Smiley

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-2
Weight 300
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Durham, N.C.
High School Palmetto Prep







2022 (Freshman): Saw action in four games on the year as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Credited with nine tackles on the year with three solo stops and a quarterback hurry … Posted his first career tackle at Mercer (Oct. 8), finishing with two tackles … Had a career day with seven tackles at Furman (Oct. 15) in his fourth career game played.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played his high school football at Riverside High in Durham before finishing at Palmetto Prep in West Columbia, S.C., in 2021 … Recorded 58 tackles including 36 solo stops, averaging 7.3 tackles per game in his final season at Riverside High, adding 12 quarterback hurries and five passes defended.

Personal: Full name is Brandon Thadous Smiley ... Is the son Selena and Spencer Smiley ... Was born on Long Island, N.Y. ... Has a brother, Darius.

93 Days 'til Catamount Football Kickoff - #93 Chris Morgan

It's now 93 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight another assistant defensive lineman:

Chris Morgan

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-0
Weight 285
Class Sophomore
Hometown Maiden, N.C.
High School Maiden HS







2022 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with three straight starts at defensive tackle to end the regular season … Credited with 28 total tackles including 12 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for loss with five sacks to rank second on the team … Posted at least one tackle in eight of the 10 games in which he played … Matched his previous career-high with five tackles including a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss on sacks in the win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17), forcing a fumble in the win … Set a career-high with seven tackles against Samford (Sept. 24) … Finished with five tackles with a sack in the home win over nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19).

2021 (Freshman*): Played in 10 of the team's 11 games on the season with three starts along the defensive line ... Recorded 26 total tackles with 11 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss with two sacks ... Posted a tackle in each of his 10 games including a career-high five at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) ... Had three tackles including a sack against Furman (Nov. 6) ... Credited with one quarterback hurry.

2020-21 (Freshman): Converted from tight end to defensive line, seeing action in each of the team’s six games in the spring semester as a reserve on defense … Credited with six total tackles including half a tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut at Furman (Feb. 20) … Tallied his first career tackle against VMI (March 6) … Posted a season-best three tackles including half a tackle for loss at Mercer (March 20).

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner and a three-time All-South Fork 2A Conference selection ... Played as a middle linebacker and tight end as a prep ... Caught three TD passes as a tight end as a senior coming on nine total receptions for 133 yards, according to MaxPreps ... Selected to the 83rd annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's, just the 12th from his high school all-time ... As a sophomore linebacker, recorded 118 tackles in helping Maiden go undefeated in the regular season, winning the South Fork 2A conference championship.

Personal: Is the son of Cheron Russell.

94 Days 'til Catamount Football Kickoff - Chris Norris

It's now 94 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

There is no one currently assigned to #94, so we will highlight another assistant coach:

Chris Norris

TITLE Assistant Coach / Special Teams Coordinator

Chris Norris joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the special teams coordinator in early March 2022. Norris spent the five previous seasons working as a football analyst focusing primarily on special teams at the University of Oregon.

Over his football career, Norris has been a part of two national championship squads coming as a player at Nebraska in 1994 and 1995 and six conference championship programs as a coach since 1999. He has mentored two, Top 10 NFL Draft picks, worked with six All-America selections who combined to earn accolades over nine seasons, and 19 combined players to earn all-conference plaudits.

During his five seasons on the sidelines at Oregon, Norris was instrumental in Oregon's success on special teams, teaming with special teams coach Bobby Williams over the last three. As an analyst, Oregon landed a special teams player on the first-team All-Pac-12 Conference in a vote of the league's coaches. In 2019, Brady Breeze claimed the all-purpose/special teams honor following Brenden Schooler being named to the position the previous two seasons.

With the Ducks, Norris mentored punters, Tom Snee and Blake Maimone. Snee averaged 43.64 yards per punt in the 2020 season shortened by COVID-19 – second in the Pac-12 and 28th nationally. Maimone completed his collegiate career with a 43.4-yard average on 107 career punts.

Oregon also excelled in the kickoff return game in 2020, leading the Pac-12 in returns of 30-or-more yards with seven. In 2019, Oregon was the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both punt return average and kickoff return average. The Ducks finished eighth in the nation and second in the Pac-12 with a 26.28 kickoff return average. UO was ninth in the country and third in the league with a 14.33 punt return average.

Before making the move to the Pacific Northwest, Norris spent a season at the University of South Florida serving as a recruiting assistant and special teams advisor. He helped the Bulls to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Birmingham Bowl. Punt returner D'Ernest Johnson claimed second-team All-American Athletic Conference following the season.

Norris' coaching experience includes three seasons at Webber International as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach where he mentored five players to all-conference recognition including all-time leading rusher Darius Page who ran for 1,239 yards in 2015.

He also spent eight seasons on the sidelines at Southeast Missouri State from 2006-13, again coaching running backs and serving as the special teams coach. While at SEMO, Norris coached Henry Harris, the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American, who shattered numerous school records. Harris, who finished fifth in the overall voting for the Walter Payton Award, became Southeast's all-time single-season leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, points scored, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.

Norris helped a SEMO punter earn All-America honors in four of his first six years on the Redhawks coaching staff. Return men flourished under Norris' leadership. Five of Southeast's top-10 career kick return leaders came under Norris' watch.

His experience includes three seasons at Jacksonville (2003-05) where he coached All-Americans in each of his three seasons with the Dolphins including punter Ryan Long in 2003 and punter/kicker Ryan Feely in 2004. Norris also spent three seasons at Tennessee State as special teams coordinator and running backs coach after beginning his college coaching career as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Northern State in South Dakota.

Norris played fullback at Nebraska (1991-95) helping the Cornhuskers win National Championships in both 1994 and 1995. Nebraska compiled a 47-3 record during his time in Lincoln. During the 1995 season, he suffered a career-ending injury. Despite the injury, he became a student-assistant coach and helped lead the Cornhuskers to a fifth straight Big Eight title and a second consecutive National Championship.

Originally from Papillion, Neb., Norris earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska-Omaha in 1999. He and his wife, Tracee, have one daughter, Breeze.

95 Days 'til Catamount Football Kickoff - Chazmon Scales

It's now 95 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

There is no one currently assigned to #95, so we will highlight another assistant coach:

Chazmon Scales

TITLE Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties

Chaz Scales joined the Catamount football coaching staff in early July 2021 as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Scales, a former football student-athlete at Arkansas State comes to Cullowhee after serving two seasons on staff at Central Arkansas in the same capacity.

Scales helped Central Arkansas to the 2019 Southland Conference Championship and competing in the fall of 2020, to a 5-4 overall in his second season. Scales guided Cameron Godfrey to Fall All-Southland Conference honors after leading the Bears with 51 tackles including 31 solo stops, adding a pair of interceptions, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also worked with first-team All-America selection Robert Rochelle, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and second-team All-Southland honoree Juan Jackson.

While at Central Arkansas, Scales was selected as a participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He interned with the New York Giants through mini-camp and team training camp where he assisted with the defensive backs.

Prior to accepting the position at UCA, Scales was an assistant coach at Tusculum for the 2017 and 2018 seasons where coached the cornerbacks and was the pass game coordinator while also serving as the co-special teams coordinator. ScaleS mentored All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Region cornerback Martez Thompson, All-SAC selection Malik Goodman, and two-time All-South Atlantic performer Dee Alford who went on to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

With Scales on staff, the Pioneer defense led the conference in turnovers with 13 interceptions and a league-best 12 fumbles recovered, while also pacing the SAC in pass defense in limiting opponents to just 170 yards per game through the air.

Scales earned his coaching start in 2014 as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of West Georgia where he was a part of a 12-3 season that included a semifinal appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Wolves finished tied for third in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and finished the year ranked sixth in the nation according to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Scales instructed West Georgia safety Carlos Hutton, who led the GSC with 13 passes defended and was second with four interceptions, garnering USA College Football All-America plaudits. In addition to Hutton, cornerback Laronji Vason earned All-GSC honors as Vason notched 72 stops, two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries under Scales.

In 2015, Scales served as a quality control assistant working with the cornerbacks and special teams at Valdosta State helping the Blazers to nine victories and a NCAA Division II playoff berth, finishing the year ranked 14th in the final AFCA poll. Defensive back Kenny Moore thrived under Scales, tallying three interceptions including two returned for touchdowns in earning USA College Football All-America and All-GSC plaudits.

In 2016, he served as running backs coach at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

As a player, Scales was a four-year contributor on defense at Arkansas State where he was a part of two consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship teams as a junior and senior, earning berths in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He helped the Red Wolves win nine-straight games in 2011 and seven-consecutive to end his senior season. Scales was a standout player at Centennial High School where he was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 5A All-State team following a senior season in which he accounted for 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns as the quarterback for the Cougars.

Originally from Franklin, Tenn., Scales is a 2012 graduate of Arkansas State with a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies.

96 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #96 Isaac McLellan

It's now 96 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another defensive lineman:

#96 Isaac McLellan

Position Defensive End
Height 6-2
Weight 220
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Rock Hill, S.C.
High School Northwestern HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner for head coach Page Wofford at Northwestern High ... Finished his prep career with 185 career tackles including 117 total hits with 46 solo stops as a senior, earnin all-region and all-state honors ... Recorded 10 sacks in his senior season in collecting top annual defensive lineman honors ... Finalist for the Carolina Bowl ... Was a five-time Player of the Game and a four-time Player of the Week selection in 2021 ... Earned Academic Honors all four years of high school ... Was also a two-time South Carolina state champion in wrestling as a prep.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Personal: Full name is Malcolm Isaac McLellan ... Is the son of Saron and Matt Silver ... Has a younger sister, Gabby ... Is the first person from his family to play in college.

97 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #97 Caleb Bradford

It's now 97 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another defensive lineman:

#97 Caleb Bradford

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-1
Weight 280
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Canton, N.C.
High School Pisgah HS

2021 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played offensive guard and defensive tackle as a prep at Pisgah High for head coach and former Catamount Brett Chappell ... Was selected first-team 2AA All-State as a senior while also collecting the Mountain Six Conference Lineman of the Year award.

Personal: Full name is William Caleb Bradford ... Is the son of Vicki and Dean Bradford ... Has an older sister, Taylor Watkins.

98 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff

It's now 98 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No one is currently assigned to #98, so today we will highlight an assistant coach:

Kade Bell

TITLE Assistant Coach / Offensive Coordinator / QBs

Kade Bell was named the offensive coordinator at Western Carolina in the spring of 2021, coming to Cullowhee from Tusculum University, where he served as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the Pioneers. Highly regarded as one of the finest up-and-coming offensive minds in collegiate football, Bell will also coach the Catamount quarterbacks.

Bell helped lead Tusculum to the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Spring Football Championship as his offense averaged 533.4 yards and scored 37.6 points per game in a 4-1 seasonal record. The Pioneers averaged nearly 400 passing yards per game to lead the SAC, scoring 15 touchdowns through the air in 2021. In addition, the unit added 139.2 yards per game on the ground and 12 additional scores.

Graduate transfer quarterback Rogan Wells, who began his playing career with Bell at Valdosta State, led the SAC in pass completions (117), pass attempts (189), passing yards (1,852), passing yards per game (370.4), and touchdown passes (15) in the 2021 spring season.

Originally from Jacksonville, Fla., Bell previously coached at Valdosta State University, where he served three seasons on the coaching staff under his father – and current WCU head coach Kerwin Bell. The younger Bell was on the Blazers' staff from 2016-18, where he was as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He helped guide the Blazers to a perfect 14-0 record and an NCAA Division II national championship in 2018. VSU led the nation in scoring offense that season averaging an outstanding 52 points per game and broke the Division II and Gulf South Conference record for most points scored in a single season (728).

The Blazers also led the country in yards per play (7.9), points per play (.78 - NCAA II record), yards per rush (7.2), and passing touchdowns (50). Valdosta was also fourth in the country in red-zone offense (.901), fourth in total offense (524.0 ypg), and fourth in passing efficiency (167.37).

Under Bell's tutelage at Valdosta State, Wells earned the 2018 Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was twice runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Valdosta State's quarterbacks amassed 4,855 total offensive yards and accounted for 69 total touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. In addition, the 2018 VSU offense was one of the most balanced in college football producing 262 rushing yards per game along with 261 passing yards per game while scoring 50 passing touchdowns along with 40 rushing scores.

The VSU offense produced five All-GSC performers that season, including Wells, wide receivers Lio'undre Gallimore and Brian Sands, running back Jamar Thompkins, and all-purpose back Seth McGill. Thompkins was also named the 2018 GSC Freshman of the Year.

In 2017, Bell served as the offensive passing game coordinator with the Valdosta State program while also mentoring the Blazers' receiving corps, including All-GSC standout Dallas Baldner. Over the 20 combined games that he was the chief play-caller for Valdosta State, the Blazers posted a stellar 19-1 record.

Also among Bell's coaching experience is a year on the coaching staff at the University of South Florida in 2019, where he was an offensive analyst with the Bulls passing attack.

Bell earned his start as a graduate assistant coach in 2016, where he coached the quarterbacks as Valdosta State went 8-2 during the regular season and advanced to the NCAA II Playoffs. The Blazers averaged 311 passing yards per game, tops in the Gulf South and eighth-best in the country.

Bell played collegiate football at Jacksonville University from 2011-2015, where he was coached by his father. He was a four-year starting quarterback and finished his career with 9,613 total offensive yards and accounted for 93 touchdowns. He earned All-Pioneer Football League honors and led the Dolphins to a 2014 conference championship.

Bell graduated from Jacksonville in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management and later completed his master's degree in public administration from Valdosta State in 2018.

He and his wife Charlotte were married in February 2019. The couple has a daughter, Palmer.

99 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff

It's now 99 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a defensive lineman.

Ronald Wilson

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-3
Weight 318
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Mocksville, N.C.

College: Gardner-Webb
High School Davie County HS








2021 (Sophomore): Missed the season due to an injury ... Was able to return to limited action during the squad's annual spring drills.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Gardner-Webb during the summer of 2021; Gardner-Webb: Played in nine games as a freshman in 2019 … Recorded five total tackles including four solo stops … Made his collegiate debut at Charlotte on Aug. 29, 2019 … Had a career-best three total tackles against Hampton on Oc. 12, 2019; High School: Four-year varsity performer for the War Eagles … Finished senior season with 37 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback pressures … Made 28 stops as a junior, along with one sack and a pass deflection … Caused one fumble in 2017 … Played at Davie County (N.C.) High for head coach Tim Devericks … Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Name is Ronald Wilson, goes by "RJ" ... Is the son of Myra Wilson and Keith Sherill.

The 100 Day Countdown to WCU Football Kickoff

Welcome to the annual (thirteenth) Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

We hope you have enjoyed the countdown in past years as much as we do bring it to you. During the countdown, we'll highlight the player whose number corresponds to that day in the countdown. Since the official 2023 Catamount Football Roster has not yet been published, we'll use the 2023 Catamount Spring Football Roster for jersey numbers, until the new roster is posted, at which point we'll switch to the official roster for the remainder of the countdown.

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It's now 100 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

As is our custom, we'll kick off day #100 with the Catamount Head Football Coach Kerwin Bell.

Kerwin Bell
                                                    

Title: Head Football Coach

Hometown: Mayo, Fla
Alma Mater: University of Florida
Graduated: 1987

An accomplished player who worked his way from walk-on to All-American to the National Football League, and a 12-year veteran head coach who won a combined four conference championships and the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, Kerwin Bell was named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University by Director of Athletics Alex Gary on April 27, 2021.

“We talk every day about Catamount Athletics having a winning mentality and the confidence to believe we can bring championships to our university,” said Gary. “Kerwin is a proven winner and has shown the ability to build successful programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Cullowhee.”

Bell comes to Cullowhee having served as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under head coach Charlie Strong in 2019. He most recently walked off the field as a head coach following the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship, leading the Valdosta State Blazers where he coached for three seasons, twice making playoff appearances.

“I am excited and honored to be named the new head football coach at Western Carolina University,” said Bell. “We are coming here to win championships on the field and help mentor the young men who are in our program. I am ready to get started building this into a championship program that the Catamount Nation can be proud of.”

Over a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jacksonville University (2007-15). He did this coming on the heels of a 13-year playing career in professional football that included several stops in the NFL and the Canadian Football League.

Bell served three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State where he also guided the offense. He led the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year and the Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA Division II poll.

Bell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year.

Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.

Additionally, senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award presented to the most outstanding Division II lineman.

Bell led VSU to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 interceptions on defense.

Prior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships. Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title.

He also led Jacksonville to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense. JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference title in 2014.

Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and runner-up finish in 2006. His coaching career began in earnest at the end of his professional playing career as he served as the offensive coordinator for two seasons while still a player for the Toronto Argonauts (2000-01).

Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll. Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award.

Bell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987.

He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF).

Married in 1986 while both students at UF, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley.

SoCon Baseball Tournament - vs. UNCG

   

                                                                                                                                              

🆚: UNCG Spartans

📅: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

🕒: 7:00 pm
🏟️: Fluor Field 

: : Catamount Sport Network

📺: ESPN+

📊: Live Stats
📌: Greenville, SC

Head Coach: UNC Greensboro announced in August of 2019 that Billy Godwin has been hired as baseball head coach. Godwin had spent the previous five years with the New York Yankees, overseeing all amateur scouting in North Carolina and South Carolina. Godwin is 105-95 in his three seasons at UNCG.

This season's record: 22-32 overall, 14-15 home, 8-17 away, 0-0 neutral, 9-12 Southern

The Series: The Cats are 37-47 overall since the series began in 1992. Western's conference record with UNCG is 32-41 overall, and the Cats are 2-8 in the last ten games played. The Spartans are riding a two-game win streak over the Cats coming into this game.

In the SoCon preseason polls, the Spartans were picked to finish 3rd by the coaches and 4th by the media. Three UNCG players were picked for preseason honors, Mitchell Smith, Jr. (3d base) and Kennedy Jones (outfield) were 1st team picks, while catcher Dallas Callahan made 2d team honors. The Spartans finished the regular season in the 6th position. 

The Spartans have two players hitting in excess of .300 this season, Kennedy Jones hitting .359, and Dosi Jonas hitting .323, as a team the Spartans have a .273 batting average.

The Catamount Club will host a special Catamount Central at Mac's Speed Shop (930 S. Main Street; Greenville, S.C., 29601) ahead of each game WCU plays in the SoCon tournament. The pregame social is scheduled for two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch of each game, beginning at 5 p.m., on Wednesday before the WCU-UNCG match-up.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations