University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Hire Edwards to Coach D-Line
3/16/2011 10:00:00 PM | Football
Edwards' hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
Edwards joins the Cajuns after spending three seasons as co-defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at Florida A&M University.
At FAMU, Edwards was part of a program that went 25-9 during his three seasons with the Rattlers. He oversaw a strong defensive line that included coaching All-MEAC defensive lineman Cameron Houston in 2008.
"We are proud to have Coach Edwards as part of our staff," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "He brings a wealth of defensive knowledge having been a defensive coordinator and is a great recruiter having been the recruiting coordinator at Florida A&M and Hampton."
Prior to his stint with the Rattlers, Edwards served a five-year tenure at Hampton University. He coached the defensive line and linebackers, in addition to serving as the recruiting coordinator. Edwards helped bring in a wealth of talent that resulted in one of the best four-year runs in school history. Hampton won three consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships (2004-06), made three NCAA playoff appearances (2004-06) and captured back-to-back Black College Championships in 2004 and 2005.
Edwards began his career as a defensive line and linebackers coach for Kentucky State University in 1998 and eventually had stops with the AF2's Carolina Rhinos and Pearl River Community College before landing at Hampton in 2003. He was a New Orleans Saints Minority Fellowship Intern during the team's 2007 training camp.
His days on the sideline have helped to develop the professional careers of several former players including: Justin Durant (Jacksonville Jaguars), Kendall Langford (Miami Dolphins), Marcus Dixon (Dallas Cowboys) Cletidus Hunt (Green Bay Packers, NFL), Kitwana Jones (Saskatchewan Rough Riders, CFL), Dewayne Woods (Georgia Force, AFL) and Chris Avery (Grand Rapids Rampage AFL). Edwards coached two All-Americans in Hunt at Kentucky State and Jones at Hampton.
Edwards is a 1991 graduate of Delta State University, earning a bachelor's degree in aviation management. He was a two-time First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection as a defensive lineman and played alongside Hudspeth, who was a four-year letterman at DSU from 1987-91. Edwards was inducted into the Delta State Sports Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008.
A 12th round pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, Edwards spent three seasons on the Patriots roster under head coaches Dick MacPherson and Bill Parcells. He later signed a free agent contract in 1995 with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, with whom he also spent three years.
A native of Philadelphia, Miss., Edwards is a member of the NFL Retired Players' Association, the CFL Players' Association and the American Football Coaches Associations (Minority Issues Committee).
He is married to former LuAnn Shockency of Louisville, Ky., and they have two children, Halena and Timothy II.
WEDNESDAY'S PRACTICE NOTES: Louisiana held their fourth practice of the spring season on Wednesday afternoon at the practice field.
With another solid practice, some of the Cajuns are beginning to show more intensity.
"I saw some guys that have a little fight in them," said Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth. "It shows to me that practice is important to them. I saw us practice better against each other. Our guys are learning how to go hard and stay on field. We are becoming smarter guys at practice."
Coach Hudspeth has been impressed with the improvement of the secondary.
"Three of our guys in the secondary (Melvin White, Lionel Stokes and Dwight Bentley) are playing at a high level," noted Hudspeth. "The secondary has been the most impressive so far."
The work ethic of the offense has impressed offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, especially the offensive line.
"I think the guys are working really hard," said Johnson. "We have a good nucleus of guys. I feel good about the offensive line. We've got a corps of guys that have a chance to be very solid players. They are young, but they show ability."
The Cajuns will practice again on Friday, their fifth official workout of the spring.
The team plans to scrimmage on Sunday on the practice fields. The scrimmage is expected to be scripted, giving Coach Hudspeth a chance to gauge the progress of his team and see how the student-athletes execute in live situations. Sunday's work will include down and distance scenarios, with little emphasis on moving the ball.
Practices are open to the media, RCAF members, current UL students and former football lettermen. If rain or lightning forces the team inside the Leon Moncla Indoor Practice Facility, then spring practice will be closed to everyone except the media.
The schedule will be every Friday, Sunday and Wednesday until the Annual Spring Game at Cajun Field on Saturday, April 9 at 5 p.m.
A new feature to this year's spring game will be the addition of regular season game activities and atmosphere. All reserved tailgating spaces will be held until 10 a.m. Saturday morning for those who purchased their tailgating space during the 2010 season. All unused spaces will open on a first-come, first-serve basis shortly after 10 a.m. The athletic department is sponsoring a pre-game band which will start at 3 p.m. The team will take the Cajun Walk led by the band and cheerleaders. There will also be a 'Kid Zone' inside Cajun Field.
Admission for the 2011 Spring Game is $5. All proceeds will be invested in the Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation. Current UL students (with a valid ID) and fans under 12 are free.
Upcoming Spring Practice Schedule
Friday, March 18 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 - 3 p.m.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
