University of Houston Athletics
Sumlin Makes Staff Additions
1/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON, Texas - University of Houston head football coach Kevin Sumlin announced on Friday the addition of six new members to his coaching staff, including his former head coach when he starred at Purdue in the 80s. They join offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach Jason Phillips who was hired last month.
Joining his former pupil in Houston is Leon Burtnett, who is slated to coach the Cougar linebackers...the position played by Sumlin while at Purdue. Also, joining the staff are Joe Gilbert, Tony Levine, Clarence McKinney, John Skladany and Zac Spavital.
"We have a really good blend of experience and enthusiasm," said Sumlin. "We have guys from just about every level of football, which I was looking for, from high school coaches to the NFL. So, I think it's that kind of blend that's going to make this the best staff that there is in the country."
Gilbert, Skladany and Spavital arrive from the collegiate ranks, while Levine departs the NFL to return to Division I-A football. McKinney was a Houston-area head high school coach at Yates High School, which is blocks away from UH.
Burtnett comes to UH after spending five seasons as an assistant coach at Washington State. A coaching veteran of over 40 years, Burtnett also has served as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas State (1999-2001), Louisiana-Monroe (1996-98) and Fresno State (1994-95). He also was an assistant coach at Colorado State (1969), Montana State (1970), Washington State (1971), Wyoming (1972-73), San Jose State (1974-75) and Michigan State (1976) before arriving at Purdue in 1977.
After spending six seasons as defensive coordinator and then assistant head coach, Burtnett took over the Purdue program in 1982 and compiled a 21-24-1 record in his five seasons. He led the Boilermakers to the 1984 Peach Bowl.
Gilbert will coach the offensive line for the Cougars, and he comes to Houston after spending last season as the tight ends coach at Toledo. Prior to Toledo, Gilbert coached the offensive line at UCF (2004-06) and Toledo (2001-03) after spending one season as the head coach at Mansfield University. He also spent time at Maine (1994-99), Northeastern (1991-93), Penn (1989-90) and Albany (1987-88).
Slated as Houston's special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, Levine arrives in the Bayou City after spending two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. While in the NFL, Levine served as assistant special teams and strength and conditioning coach. He also spent three seasons at Louisville (2003-05) and began his college career at Texas State University, where he served as an assistant from 1997-99. He also spent two seasons at Auburn.
McKinney will coach the UH running backs and comes to Houston after spending three seasons as the head football coach at Jack Yates, Sr., High School in Houston. McKinney also coached at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston as well as an assistant coach at Yates.
Skladany will serve as the Cougars' defensive coordinator and coach the safeties after doing the same last season at Conference USA-rival UCF. Prior to his one year with the Knights, Skladany spent 10 years at Iowa State as the Cyclones defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Before working at Iowa State, Skladany was on the staff at Colorado State. Skladany came to CSU after three years at Northern Arizona where he coached both the defensive backs (1990-92) and defensive line (1989).
Old acquaintances from Oklahoma, Spavital comes with Sumlin from the Sooner Football program where he spent the last three seasons as an assistant on the defense. A native of Tulsa, Okla., Spavital will coach the cornerbacks at Houston.
"Each coach possesses knowledge at their position, as well as general football knowledge, in-depth knowledge and what we're asking (the team) to do technique-wise. They also need to be good people, guys we can get along with and be leaders of men. They need to be able to not only develop guys on the football field, but also in life.
"So, I think we have achieved that. I feel the blend of people we have here is really an excellent one."
Sumlin has two more full-time slots to fill on his staff and will make those announcements shortly. Offensive graduate assistant David Douglas and quality control coaches Anthony Evans and J.J. Wyatt as well as Director of High School Relations Joe Alcoser have been retained from the previous staff.
