Sam Houston State Football Coaches And Schedule 2023

Head Coach for the Sam Houston Bearkats football team is Kurt Charles Keeler. Kurt joined the Bearkats program on 23 January 2014.

Famously known as KC Keeler, he was the 15th person to be named the head of the coaching staff for the SHSU team. Keeler succeeded Willie Fritz, who had coached from 2010 to 2013.

Since his arrival in 2014, the team has witnessed a great record, establishing 85 wins and 26 losses. He has also received many Coach of the Year awards for his exemplary duty for the SHSU. 

The HC received his 250th win in the 2021 season and is among the 28 coaches in CFB history to achieve this mark. Likewise, his grand achievement was guiding SHSU to their long-awaited National Championship in the 2020-21 season after an undefeated 10-0 run.

That season, Kurt guided SHSU to a seamless victory one after another, beating Monmouth in the first playoff round by 21-15, and then defeating ND State, James Madison, and SD State in the finals.

Keeler’s arrival immediately saw a great season for the SHSU in 2014. They went on to become a powerful franchise that year and reached playoffs, where the Bearkats managed to win 3 games. The SMSU ultimately lost in the FCS Semifinals against North Dakota State by 35-3.

Coaching History of Keeler

KC Keeler made an 11-5 win-loss record in his debut year for the Bearkats team in the 2014 season. He previously coached for Delaware and Rowan. 

In 2015, the SHSU showcased an 11-4 overall record and reached the playoffs again under Keeler. They lost in the D1 semi-finals again. Keeler had a successful run, taking the Bearkats to playoffs consecutively in 2016 and 2017, and again in 2020 and 2021. 

For his impressive leadership, Kurt received the Southland Conference Coach of the Year in 2016, followed by the Eddie Robinson Award. In 2019, Keeler was honored in ESPN’s Top 150 College Football Coaches of All-Time list. He is also the recipient of the WAC Coach of the Year trophy. 

With the FCS Championship win in 2020-21, Kurt became the first HC to gain the FCS title under two franchises. He had previously won it with the 2003 Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens. 

Delaware and Rowan Stint

Keeler’s Delaware stint began in the 2002 season and served until the 2012 season. His first year at Delaware saw him rack up a 6-6 overall record, but his second year was a charm. The SHSU won 15 games and only lost one in 2003, and the team went on to clinch the I-AA Championship game.

He managed to take Delaware to two playoffs after 2003, i.e. in the 2004 and 2010 seasons respectively. Delaware lost in the Quarterfinals in 2004, while 2010 saw a Championship game loss to Eastern Washington Eagles. Keeler’s overall record was 86-52 for the Delaware. 

HC Keeler’s career started in the D3’s Rowan University football program. He was involved there from 1993 to 2001 seasons. As part of the D3 program, Kurt only missed one playoff for Rowan in 2002. However, he was unsuccessful in getting any NCAA D3 Championship titles.

Clayton Carlin, Brad Cornelsen, Joe Morris, Chris Buckner, and Jared Hensley are the Sam Houston football coaches for the 2023 season.

Associate Head Coach

Carlin works as the Associate Head Coach for the team who joined in July 2016. In just one year, Carlin saw success with a promotion to defensive coordinator. He was responsible for the defense of the team in their FCS Championship run in 2020. 

With a glorious 2020 season run, SHSU saw 10 of their defensive athlete receive the All-Southland Conference honors. During his time as a defensive coordinator, Carlin guided the team to the best rush defense and 3rd down conversion rate too. 

Offensive Coordinator

Brad Cornelsen is the offensive coordinator for the Sam Houston State Bearkats football program. Cornelsen joined the team in January 2023. 

He is a new arrival for SHSU, but not a fresher to coaching duties. Brad has worked for multiple schools in the past, including Virginia Tech, Memphis, Northeastern State, and Oklahoma State.

Cornelsen’s coaching career began as a Student Assistant at Missouri Southern, where he also played as a QB himself. in 2003, Brade became the WR coach for the Illinois State football team and eventually got a role in the QB department. 

His offensive coordinator role came in the 2016 season under Virginia Tech, where he spent until the 2021 season. However, Brad’s new role at SHSU has gotten off to a bad start, with five consecutive losses.

Defensive Coordinator

Joe Morris has been the defensive coordinator for the SHSU football team before the 2021 season. Morros helped the team win the FCS title in his debut year. 

Under Joe’s guidance, the Bearkats became the best team in Fumble recoveries and total takeaways in the Championship year. However, his defense has struggled in the 2023 season, with back-to-back losses. The team conceded 37 points against UTEP and 33 against FIU.

Morris started his career at Fort Lewis College in 2006, where he got the opportunity to play as the Defensive line coach. Then he moved to West Texas A&M where he became the DC.

Sam Houston football roster 2023 comprises Da’Veawn Armstead, Keegan Shoemaker, Sincere Jackson, DJ McKinney, Chris Murray, and Trey Fields. 

Here is the list of all the athletes for the 2023 season:

Offense

Quarterbacks: Keegan Shoemaker, Grant Gunnell, Sylas Gomez, Jace Moseley, Xavier Ward

Running Backs: Zach Hrbacek, John Gentry, DJ McKinney, Adrian Murdaugh, Charles Crawford III, Jalen Washington, Landan “Coco” Brown, Tobias Weaver, Garret Hagler, 

Wide Receivers: Lonnie Adkism, Tyler Bailey, Rushil Patel, Jyzaiah Rockwell, Malik Phillips, KeSean Raven, Shane Johnson, Qua’Vez Humphreys, Noah Smith, Al’vonte Woodard, Ife Adeyi

Offensive Linemen: D’Ary Patton, Will Hutchens, Easton Fulton, Seth Kohlscheen, Rhett Larson, Khalil Miller, Kolt Dieterich, William McCollum, Kolt Dieterich, Rhett Larson, Ethan Vazquez, Will Hutchens, Ethan Hagler, Graceson Jackson-Smith, MarKendrick Beall, Zachary Session, Orion Irving

Defense

Linebackers: Trevor Williams, Jaylen Phillips, Trey Fields, Sincere Jackson, Kavian Gaither, Issiah Nixon, Forest Gatlin, Darien Flynn, Markel Perry, Gannon Tullos, Ysidro Mascorro, Ca’lub Holloway, Eli Wallace, Trey Mappe

Defensive Backs: Da’Veawn Armstead, Isaiah Downes, Caleb Weaver, Emon Allen, David Fisher, Jordan Morris, Donovan Adkins, Dakerric Hobbs, Jaidan Scott, Chantson Prox, Jamarie Wiggins, Kaden Kelly, Savien Arnett, Da’Marcus Crosby II, RJ Bendert

Defensive Linemen: Chris Scott, Jevon Leon, Seth Mason, Andrew Edmonson, Richard Outland, Daniel Tupuola, Matthew Aribisala, Jayden Gaines, Noah Barboza, Ajani Batts, Jaden Phillips, Braeden Howell, Briceon Hayes, Godgive Ugochukwu, Chris Murray, Akeem “Meatball” Smith

The Bearkats will face Kennesaw State on November 4 and LA Tech on 12 November. They have yet to win a single game this season.

Here is the upcoming schedule for the team:

• November 4, 12:00 pm – vs Kennesaw State
• November 11, 2:00 pm – vs LA Tech
• November 18, 2:30 pm – vs WKU
• November 25, 11:00 am – vs Middle Tennessee

SHSU has had an abysmal season so far, losing to teams like Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State, and UTEP.

They came close to winning against Jax State in overtime but ultimately lost the game by a 35-28 score. Their huge loss by margin was against Houston by 38-7 score on September 23.