Rickey Hunley named CBs coach / Pass Game Coordinator

by **PonyPride** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 4:31 pm

From SMUMustangs.com:

Hunley Named Pass Game Coordinator, Cornerbacks Coach

Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has announced the hiring of Rickey Hunley as SMU's pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Hunley comes to the Hilltop after spending three seasons (2019-21) as cornerbacks coach at Liberty under the direction of new SMU Defensive Coordinator Scott Symons.

In year one with the Flames, Hunley helped the program to its first bowl game in school history before going on to win back-to-back FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl titles (2019, 2020).

Liberty closed out the 2021 season with a win in the Lending Tree Bowl and finished in the top 20 in passing yards allowed (9th, 180.3), red zone defense (10th, .725) and total defense (15th, 320.2).

Liberty went 10-1 in 2020 and ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll. The defense ranked 11th nationally in total defense (317.7), 12th in passing yards allowed (184.0), 22nd in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in interceptions (11). Hunley mentored cornerback Bejour Wilson, who signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The 2019 season saw the Flames rank 28th in sacks (2.69) and 31st in interceptions (12).

Hunley arrived at Liberty after spending one season at UIW (2018) as safeties coach and recruiting coordinator. The Cardinals reached the NCAA FCS Playoffs during its second year of postseason eligibility, posting a 6-2 record in conference play and winning the Southland Conference title. UIW led the Southland and ranked fourth nationally in turnovers gained (30).

From 2015-17 Hunley served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at West Georgia, where he also worked alongside Symons. The Wolves made two NCAA Division II playoff appearances, posted a 12-win season and won the Gulf South Conference as well as the NCAA Division II Super Regional title (2015).

He also made coaching stops at Southwest Baptist (2013-14), Lindenwood (2012), Grandview HS (Mo., 2010-11), Drake (2007) and Theodore Roosevelt HS (Iowa, 2004-06), while also serving as an athletics academic coordinator at Iowa State in 2008.

Hunley earned his degree in social sciences from Drake in 2005. He and wife, Nakisha, have three children – Taylor, Raegan and Kamryn.

by **malonish** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 6:36 pm

How can one be (effectively) the OC and a defensive position coach? Seems like a lot?

Amendment: now we have two passing game coordinators? (Rob Likens has been named assistant head coach, wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator). I do software code and not football staffing so someone help me out here.

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 6:51 pm

It's really imperative to have a good pass game coordinator. This is awesome!

I wonder how he handles practice balancing trying to have pass plays work and hurting the confidence of the corners or having the corners make big plays and hurting the confidence of the QB/WRs.

by **mrydel** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:27 pm

Although I know we did not see it this year, there is a defensive pass game also.

by **DC-Pony** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:08 am

NOTE: He is the DEFENSIVE passing game coordinator

by **HubbaHubba** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:28 am

mrydel wrote:Although I know we did not see it this year, there is a defensive pass game also.

Good point. Mind blown.

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:21 am

DC-Pony wrote:NOTE: He is the DEFENSIVE passing game coordinator

Not sure how that works but good for him. Hope our CBs have tons of INTs next season.

by **PonyPower** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:22 am

So what CBs are back next year?

Brandon Crossley
Bryce McMorris
Jahari Rogers
Sam Westfall
Wasn't Jadarius Thursby working at CB?

Need to sign several

by **Charleston Pony** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:08 pm

Will Ar'mani Johnson take advantage of a Covid extra year and come back for another year? Hate to go out on losing your last home game and having your bowl games cancelled 2 years in a row

by **Thumper** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 3:08 pm

Johnson walked on Senior Day, right?

by **JasonB** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 1:18 am

PonyPower wrote:So what CBs are back next year?

Brandon Crossley
Bryce McMorris
Jahari Rogers
Sam Westfall
Wasn't Jadarius Thursby working at CB?

Need to sign several

I expect that we will sign a couple of corners, including a transfer. I bet Massey, Cam Jones, Thursby, and Dearman end up at the Rover position in the new defensive scheme. We need to have 6 pure corners minimum on the roster.

by **DC-Pony** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 5:04 pm

I just learned that Trevor Denbow received a hardship redshirt year, will be returning, and that the new coaching staff is high on him operating in the rover position.

by **DC-Pony** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:01 pm

(consider the above post an early April Fools gift…you’re welcome and sorry about the heart attack)

by **BIGHORSE** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:10 pm

DC-Pony wrote:I just learned that Trevor Denbow received a hardship redshirt year, will be returning, and that the new coaching staff is high on him operating in the rover position.

Send him to Frog Land.

by **dalpony** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:37 pm

Know your kidding - he is a loyal Mustang