Football
2011 Football Coaches
Perry Thomas
Head Coach
Experience: 3 Years
Perry Thomas enters his fourth season as head coach of the Fighting Tiger football program.
Thomas inherited a program in 2008 that went 0-10 the previous year. After posting a 3-8 record his first season and finishing runner-up in the Mid-South Conference East Division in 2009 at 7-4, Thomas' program was named the No. 20 most improved program in all levels of college football and the No. 6 most improved in the NAIA. In 2010, he posted a 7-5 record, giving the Tigers their first back-to-back winning seasons in nearly a decade and took CU to the postseason for the first time since 2001 with a trip to the NCCAA Victory Bowl.
Alma Mater: Western Kentucky University ('86)
Cumulative Record: 17-17
Office Phone: (270) 789-5262
E-mail: plthomas@campbellsville.eduPerry Thomas enters his fourth season as head coach of the Fighting Tiger football program.
Thomas inherited a program in 2008 that went 0-10 the previous year. After posting a 3-8 record his first season and finishing runner-up in the Mid-South Conference East Division in 2009 at 7-4, Thomas' program was named the No. 20 most improved program in all levels of college football and the No. 6 most improved in the NAIA. In 2010, he posted a 7-5 record, giving the Tigers their first back-to-back winning seasons in nearly a decade and took CU to the postseason for the first time since 2001 with a trip to the NCCAA Victory Bowl.
During the 2009 season, Thomas put Campbellsville's defense among the nation's best in third down situations and inside the Red Zone, as the Tigers posted their first winning season since 2004 and best finish since 2003, at 7-4. He led the Tigers to their first win over rival Georgetown College since 1997, with a 28-21 victory at home and also knocked off a Top 10 team in Shorter College, 42-28, in the CollegeFanz/NAIA National Game of the Week. During the season, the Tigers returned to the NAIA National Rankings for the first time in five seasons, ranking as high as No. 24 and finishing the year at No. 28.
As a first-year college head coach in 2008, Thomas coached the NAIA's leading rusher, Greg Fountain, who was his first NAIA All-American and later signed a pro contract in Europe. Calvin Bini became Thomas' second NAIA All-American in 2010 and also went on to play pro ball with the Indoor Football League.
As a first-year college head coach in 2008, Thomas coached the NAIA's leading rusher, Greg Fountain, who was his first NAIA All-American and later signed a pro contract in Europe. Calvin Bini became Thomas' second NAIA All-American in 2010 and also went on to play pro ball with the Indoor Football League.
Over the past three seasons, CU has had two NAIA All-American, 13 Mid-South Conference All-Conference selections, nine All-Conference Honorable Mentions and 26 Academic All-Conference selections. Thomas' team also had the 2009 Mid-South Conference Champion of Character Award given to one of his players, Calvin Bini. In 2010, the program was awarded the NAIA Champion of Character Team Award.
Before coming to Campbellsville, Thomas posted a successful, 16-year career as a high school coach in Kentucky, leading his team to the Kentucky State High School Football Playoffs each year he was a head coach. His 16-year record as a high school head coach is 133-64. His coaching career began in 1986 as a volunteer assistant at Allen County-Scottsville High School and he was an assistant coach for the Patriots in 1987. He then became defensive coordinator at Campbellsville High School from 1988-1991.
From 2000-2007, Thomas guided the Blue Tornado of Paducah Tilghman High School to a 70-31 record, including eight playoff appearances, five district championships, two regional championships and two state semi-final appearances. His 2007 team finished the season 9-5 and was eliminated in the state semi-finals 17-14 on a last second field goal by eventual Kentucky State Champion Louisville Central High School.
From 1992 through 1999 he was the head coach at Campbellsville High School where he compiled a 63-33 record. Thomas led the Eagle program to eight straight playoff appearances and had two district and one regional championship along with one state semi-final appearance.
Thomas has been named District and/or Region Coach of the Year nine times during his career and was named the 1993 and 1997 Kentucky Class A Coach of the Year by the Courier-Journal. He is a five-time coaching staff member of the Kentucky vs. Tennessee All-Star Team and was the Head Coach of the Kentucky All-Stars in 2006. Thomas was also a National Finalist for the American Football Coaches Association "Power of Influence" Award in 2005 and 2006 and received the Joe Russell Distinguished Leadership Award from the Western Kentucky Conference in 2003 and 2006.
A YEAR BY YEAR LOOK AT THOMAS' TENURE
Campbellsville University: 17-17 (.500)
2008: 3-8 (.272)
2009: 7-4 (.636) MSC East runner-up
2009: 7-4 (.636) MSC East runner-up
2010: 7-5 (.583) MSC East runner-up, NCCAA Victory Bowl contender
Jim Hardy
Associate Head Coach
Experience: 8 Years
Jim Hardy begins his eighth year on the Tiger coaching staff, where he coaches the Tiger running backs and serves as eligibility and equipment coordinator. In 2010, he was named assistant head coach of the Tiger program.
Position: Running Backs Coach / Eligibility & Equipment Coordinator
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University
Office Phone: (270) 789-5205
E-mail: jhardy@campbellsville.eduJim Hardy begins his eighth year on the Tiger coaching staff, where he coaches the Tiger running backs and serves as eligibility and equipment coordinator. In 2010, he was named assistant head coach of the Tiger program.
In 2008, he coached the NAIA's leading rusher, Greg Fountain, who was named a First Team All-American and went on to sign a pro contract in Europe. Away from the field, Hardy has led numerous Spring Break mission trips with Sports Reach Ministries, which often includes Tiger football players going along to minister through playing sports. He also took over the program's community service projects in 2010. He and the team were recognized in December 2010 by receiving the NAIA Champion of Character Team Award.
Before coming to Campbellsville, Hardy spent 18 seasons coaching at Campbellsville High School as a position coach, offensive coordinator and head coach of the Eagles.
Before coming to Campbellsville, Hardy spent 18 seasons coaching at Campbellsville High School as a position coach, offensive coordinator and head coach of the Eagles.
A lifelong resident of Campbellsville, Jim and his wife Lorri have two children, Jackie and Tyler.
Kurt Barber
Assistant Coach
Years at Campbellsvile: 2nd Year
Kurt Barber joined the Campbellsville coaching staff in 2010 after spending the past decade as a NCAA Division I assistant coach.
Position: Offensive Line Coach
Alma Mater: University of Southern California (1992)
Alma Mater: University of Southern California (1992)
Office Phone: (270) 789-5320
E-mail: kmbarber@campbellsville.eduKurt Barber joined the Campbellsville coaching staff in 2010 after spending the past decade as a NCAA Division I assistant coach.
He began his coaching career in 1998 at Riverside Community College in California and then coached defensive line two years at the University of Tennessee-Martin before spending two years in the same position at Kent State.
In 2003, he joined Urban Meyer's staff at the University of Utah, helping lead the Utes to back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships and a perfect season in 2004, capped by a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.
In 2003, he joined Urban Meyer's staff at the University of Utah, helping lead the Utes to back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships and a perfect season in 2004, capped by a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.
In 2005, he moved to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and coached the 2006 and 2007 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator. He was named defensive coordinator at Kentucky State University in 2008 before joining the Western Kentucky University staff in 2009.
Barber has three daughters, Erica, Briahna and Nia, and two sons, Kurt II and Khoury.
Barber has three daughters, Erica, Briahna and Nia, and two sons, Kurt II and Khoury.
Kenneth Burress
Assistant Coach
Experience: 3 Years
Kenneth Burress is in his fourth season on the Tiger staff and serves as Defensive Backs and Speed/Strength Coach.
Position: Defensive Backs / Speed & Strength Coach
Alma Mater: Bowling Green University
Alma Mater: Bowling Green University
Office Phone: (270) 789-5529
E-mail: ksburress@campbellsville.eduKenneth Burress is in his fourth season on the Tiger staff and serves as Defensive Backs and Speed/Strength Coach.
Burress came to Campbellsville at the start of the 2007 season after being the assistant coach at Harmony Prep Community School in Ohio. He has also served on the staff of Indiana State University, Chaminade-Julienne High School (Ohio) along the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.
He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University (Ohio), where he was
a four-year letterman and starting corner for the Falcons between 1988-1992. In 1992, he was named a Second Team All-MAC selection. During his junior and senior seasons he helped lead BGSU to undefeated
seasons (8-0) conference play to win back-to-back Mid-America
Conference championships. He was a part of two BGSU bowl victories in
the 1991 California Raisin Bowl and the 1992 Las Vegas Bowl.
He resides in Campbellsville with his wife, Kim, and daughters:Kayla, Kiara and Khloe.
He resides in Campbellsville with his wife, Kim, and daughters:Kayla, Kiara and Khloe.
Josh Dye
Assistant Coach
Experience: 2nd Year
Josh Dye returned to his alma mater in 2010 for his first season on the Campbellsville University coaching staff. He will coach the safeties and monsters.
Dye, a 2006 graduate of CU, was a four-year letterman for the Tigers from 2002-05. He was named a First Team All-Conference selection in 2005 by the Mid-South Conference.
Prior to joining the Tiger staff, Dye coached two seasons at Dyersburg High School in Dyersburg, Tenn. In 2006, he served as outside linebackers coach at the University of the Cumberlands. The following year, he coached running backs for the 2007 Mid-South Conference West Division Champions, Bethel (Tenn.) University.
He and his wife, Ahdazsa, reside in Campbellsville. The couple is expecting their first child in February.
Position: Safeties / Monsters Coach
Alma Mater: Campbellsville Univeristy University ('06)
Alma Mater: Campbellsville Univeristy University ('06)
Office Phone: (270) 789-5144
E-mail: jadye@campbellsville.eduJosh Dye returned to his alma mater in 2010 for his first season on the Campbellsville University coaching staff. He will coach the safeties and monsters.
Dye, a 2006 graduate of CU, was a four-year letterman for the Tigers from 2002-05. He was named a First Team All-Conference selection in 2005 by the Mid-South Conference.
Prior to joining the Tiger staff, Dye coached two seasons at Dyersburg High School in Dyersburg, Tenn. In 2006, he served as outside linebackers coach at the University of the Cumberlands. The following year, he coached running backs for the 2007 Mid-South Conference West Division Champions, Bethel (Tenn.) University.
He and his wife, Ahdazsa, reside in Campbellsville. The couple is expecting their first child in February.
Ricky Gehres
Assistant Coach
Experience: 5 Years
Ricky Gehres is in his sixth season as part of the Tiger Football staff. He coaches the Tiger wide receivers and kick returners.
Position: Wide Receivers Coach
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University ('04)
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University ('04)
Office Phone: (270) 789-5347
E-mail: rcgehres@campbellsville.eduRicky Gehres is in his sixth season as part of the Tiger Football staff. He coaches the Tiger wide receivers and kick returners.
A 2004 graduate of Campbellsville, Gehres is the Tiger's all-time leader in pass reception yards with 2,467 and is among the leaders in several receiving categories for the program. In 2010, he coached All-Conference wide receiver Stan Warrenhuffman past his single-season receptions record (53). The Hopkinsville, Ky., native was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and was named an Honorable Mention All-American in 2002. He was a pre-season All-American in 2003.
Gehres coached wide receivers at Hopkinsville High School in 2005 before returning to Campbellsville as a position coach in 2006.
After graduating from CU, Gehres played overseas in the German Football League in the spring of 2005 and played Arena Football for the Odessa (TX) Roughnecks in the spring of 2006.
He and his wife Alicia reside in Campbellsville.
He and his wife Alicia reside in Campbellsville.
Chris Pardue
Assistant Coach
Experience at CU: 3 Years
Position: Offensive Coordinator
Alma Mater: Murray State University
Alma Mater: Murray State University
Office Phone: (270) 789-5346
Chris Pardue returns for his fourth season as Offensive Coordinator for Fighting Tiger football.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Pardue spent 16 years at Boyle County (KY.) High School. He was part of Boyle County's unprecedented run of five-consecutive Kentucky State Championships. Pardue also spent eight seasons at Allen County-Scottsville (KY.) High School. He served as the offensive coordinator four times for the Kentucky All-stars in their annual battle with Tennessee.
During his high school coaching days, Pardue coached former NFL players Travis Leffew (Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons) and Bobby Leffew (Chicago Bears), current Indianapolis Colts tight end Jacob Tamme and current Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown.
He and his wife of 26 years, Sherry, reside in Perryville, Kentucky. They have one daughter, Kelly Gray, son in law, Adam Gray, and a beautiful new granddaughter, Siddalea Rose Gray.
Tim Rogers
Assistant Coach
Experience: 3 Years
Position: Special Teams/Recruiting and Football Camp Coordinator
Linebackers Coach
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University ('97)
Office Phone: (270) 789-5225
Alma Mater: Campbellsville University ('97)
Office Phone: (270) 789-5225
E-mail: terogers@campbellsville.edu
Tim Rogers is in his fourth season at Campbellsville University as recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach. He took over special teams coordinator for the first time at CU in 2010.
Tim Rogers is in his fourth season at Campbellsville University as recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach. He took over special teams coordinator for the first time at CU in 2010.
Rogers started his collegiate playing career at Eastern Kentucky Unviersity and finished at Campbellsville University. In
He came to Campbellsville prior to the 2008 season from Carson-Newman College. where he was an assistant defensive ends coach and assistant inside linebackers coach since 2004. Prior to that he was a defensive backs coach at Union College.
Rogers coached alongside CU Offensive Coordinator Chris Pardue at Boyle County (Ky.) High School during the Rebels' five-straight state championships from 1999 to 2003.
Joe Stockton
Assistant Coach
Experience: 3 Years
Joe Stockton returns for his fourth season as assistant recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach.
Position: Offensive Line Coach
Alma Mater: Western Kentucky University
Alma Mater: Western Kentucky University
Office Phone: (270) 789-5517
E-mail: jestockton@campbellsville.eduJoe Stockton returns for his fourth season as assistant recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach.
Before his collegiate career, he served as offensive coordinator at North Hardin (Ky.) High School and was an assistant Central Hardin (Ky.) High School
During his playing career at WKU, Stockton set, and still holds, the NCAA Division I-AA record for all-purpose yards in a game (467). He holds school records for single-game receiving yards (276) and is the Hilltoppers' career leader in kick return (2,302) and all-purpose (5,280) yards. He was a three-time NCAA Division I-AA All-American.
In addition to coaching football, Stockton is the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field head coach. Over the past three seaons as head coach, he has had a student-athlete claim an individual national title each season at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championships. Detrick Briggs claimed the triple jump title in both 2009 and 2010, while Xavier Walker won the 400-meter dash in 2011. He coached the Tigers and Lady Tigers to a second-place finish in the 2011 Mid-South Conference Championships, the best conference finish for both programs.
In addition to coaching football, Stockton is the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field head coach. Over the past three seaons as head coach, he has had a student-athlete claim an individual national title each season at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championships. Detrick Briggs claimed the triple jump title in both 2009 and 2010, while Xavier Walker won the 400-meter dash in 2011. He coached the Tigers and Lady Tigers to a second-place finish in the 2011 Mid-South Conference Championships, the best conference finish for both programs.
George Eskridge
Volunteer Assistant
George Eskridge is in his second season as a Campbellsville University football assistant coach. After serving the past three springs as the Tiger outdoor track and field jumps coach, Eskridge joins the staff as a special teams assistant and will and also recruiting the Louisville area.
In his three seasons with the Tiger track program, he has coached football player and track athlete Detrick Briggs to back-to-back National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championships in the triple jump in 2009 and 2010. Briggs is the first CU student-athlete to ever win two national titles as an individual or part of a team. He also had a jumper, P.J. Randles, named the MVP and Freshman of the Year at the 2011 Mid-South Conference Championships.
Before volunteering with the CU track staff, Eskridge worked three years with the Louisville Fire, an Arena Football af2 team, until the franchised ceased operations in 2008. During the three years Eskridge was on staff, the Fire went 26-24, making the playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
After receiving his undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville, Eskridge coached 10 years as an assistant football coach and nine as an assistant track and field coach in Kentucky high schools. He spent seven seasons as as an assistant track coach at Louisville Eastern High School, where the Lady Eagles won the Class AAA track and field championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He also coached the current Kentucky Girls' Class AAA long jump record holder. From 1994-98 he also coached football at Eastern and was an assistant coach on the 1997 Boys' Basketball State Championship team.
He followed up his time at Eastern with a two-year stay at Male High School and served as an assistant football coach at North Hardin High in Radcliff, Ky., from 2000-04.
Eskridge, born in Memphis, Tenn., graduated from Fort Knox High school and was a member of the 1984, 1985 and 1986 Kentucky state champion track teams. He lettered in track at UofL
In his three seasons with the Tiger track program, he has coached football player and track athlete Detrick Briggs to back-to-back National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championships in the triple jump in 2009 and 2010. Briggs is the first CU student-athlete to ever win two national titles as an individual or part of a team. He also had a jumper, P.J. Randles, named the MVP and Freshman of the Year at the 2011 Mid-South Conference Championships.
Before volunteering with the CU track staff, Eskridge worked three years with the Louisville Fire, an Arena Football af2 team, until the franchised ceased operations in 2008. During the three years Eskridge was on staff, the Fire went 26-24, making the playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
After receiving his undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville, Eskridge coached 10 years as an assistant football coach and nine as an assistant track and field coach in Kentucky high schools. He spent seven seasons as as an assistant track coach at Louisville Eastern High School, where the Lady Eagles won the Class AAA track and field championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He also coached the current Kentucky Girls' Class AAA long jump record holder. From 1994-98 he also coached football at Eastern and was an assistant coach on the 1997 Boys' Basketball State Championship team.
He followed up his time at Eastern with a two-year stay at Male High School and served as an assistant football coach at North Hardin High in Radcliff, Ky., from 2000-04.
Eskridge, born in Memphis, Tenn., graduated from Fort Knox High school and was a member of the 1984, 1985 and 1986 Kentucky state champion track teams. He lettered in track at UofL
Calvin Bini
Student Assistant
A.J. Brown
Student Assistant
Quin Givhan
Student Assistant
Geoffrey James
Student Assistant
Andy Vincent
Student Assistant
Tiosha Beasley
Manager
Chris Couch
Manager
Sarah Reed
Manager
Chris Rivera
Manager
Nathalle Zetreene
Manager
Tiger Sports
