University of Houston Athletics
Wood, Cougars Solidify Defense, Special Teams
1/19/2024 9:44:00 AM | Football
Houston wraps coaching hires with announcement of coaches, analysts
HOUSTON – University of Houston Football has finalized its 2024 coaching staff with Friday's defensive coaching hires and addition of Senior Special Teams Analyst Mike Krysl, first-year Head Coach Willie Fritz announced.
James Ross III joins Houston as Linebackers Coach after helping direct one of the nation's top defenses as Tulane's Senior Defensive Analyst a season ago. Joshua Christian-Young and Zac Etheridge will each coach defensive backs. Young was with Fritz at Tulane for four seasons including the last two in the same capacity while Etheridge makes his return to Houston following three standout seasons at Auburn as Secondary Coach including the last two as Associate Head Coach. Decorated Defensive Line Coach Brian Early returns for his sixth season with the program in the same capacity. Defensive Coordinator Shiel Wood, whose hire was announced Tuesday, will oversee the unit.
The Cougars welcome back a pair of Analysts including Trey Holtz who moves from the offensive side of the ball to defense. Holtz, who was part of back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl victories at Ohio State, recently spent time at Charlotte and Louisiana Tech. Will Weaver is also back for his sixth season as Defensive Analyst. Weaver possesses 17 years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience at a variety of levels including FBS, FCS and Division II alongside experience in the Big 12, The American, Conference USA, Southland and Gulf South.
Krysl served as Special Teams Quality Control at Tulane where the Green Wave ranked inside the Top 25 nationally in kickoff return average and punt return average in 2023. He has spent nearly 15 seasons in collegiate athletics including as Special Teams Coordinator at both Army West Point (2018-19) and Samford (2016-17; 2022) as well Special Teams Analyst at Arkansas (2020-21) among other stops.
THE EARLY FILE
Early was named defensive line coach at Houston on Jan. 18, 2019 after five seasons in the same position at Arkansas State. The 2024 season will be his sixth at Houston.
Early has mentored seven all-conference selections in five seasons including the program's first Big 12 Conference accolades in 2023 highlighted by defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser earning First-Team honors. Ceaser led the Big 12 with 9.5 sacks.
2022 First-Team All-Conference honoree D'Anthony Jones led the nation with eight combined forced fumbles from 2021-22 and paced The American with 14.0 sacks between the 2021-22 seasons. In 2022, Jones boasted the nation's top pass rush grade among edge defenders (93.1) and second-best overall grade among the group (91.4) according to PFF.
Between 2021-22, the Cougars produced 192 tackles for loss which ranked 11th nationally and first in the state of Texas. Houston's 74 sacks in that timeframe ranked 14th nationally and first in Texas.
Houston was the only program in the country to rank inside PFF's Top 5 for pass rush grade for three straight seasons between 2020-22. During 2022, Houston boasted the nation's top mark (92.6). The Cougars were second in the country (91.7) in 2021 and tied for fourth (90.3) in 2020.
During 2022, the Cougars led the nation with two edge rushers ranked inside the Top 10 for pass rush with Jones topping the country (93.1) and Atlias Bell finishing tied for 10th (90.7).
Houston finished the 2022 season ranked 11th nationally with 7.2 tackles for loss per game while doing so for a majority of the season without Derek Parish (torn bicep) who became the only Houston player since 2000 to record at least 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks through the school's first four games. Parish, a seventh round NFL Draft selection by Jacksonville, set the American Athletic Conference record for sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (6.5) in a single game, doing so at Texas Tech on Sept. 10, 2022.
In his third season as defensive line coach, Early oversaw one of the most feared units in the nation. The 2021 unit earned the name "Sack Ave" for its ability to get after the opposing quarterback. The Cougars recorded 45 sacks, ranking fifth nationally.
Early has tutored two top-two round NFL Draft picks with defensive end Logan Hall being selected with the first pick of the second round in 2022 and defensive lineman Payton Turner being selected with the 28th overall pick in the first round in 2021.
He also helped the Cougars be stout against the run. UH ranked 10th among all FBS teams in rush yards allowed per game (107.1) and yards allowed per rush (3.38).
For more on Early, click here.
THE ROSS III FILE
Ross III joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Linebackers Coach. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Ross comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent the 2023 season as Senior Defensive Analyst.
At Tulane, Ross III helped direct one of the nation's top defenses. Tulane led The American Athletic Conference in passes intercepted (17) and turnovers forced (25). The Green Wave's 25 turnovers gained entering bowl season ranked second nationally and marked the program's most in seven seasons (27 in 2016).
The team finished ranked inside the Top 30 nationally in eight statistical categories including turnovers gained (25; 2nd) passes interception (17; 3rd), rushing defense (93.5; 7th), scoring defense (18.9; 19th), fourth-down conversion percentage defense (42.9%; 24th), team sacks/game (2.62; 26th), tackles for loss (6.3; 30th) and fumbles recovered (8; 30th).
Prior to Tulane, Ross III spent the 2022 season as Outside Linebackers Coach at Cincinnati. There, he was responsible for creating defensive game plans and coordinating meetings with his position group in addition to assisting with the evaluation, recruitment and retention of student-athletes.
He joined the Bearcats from Hope College where he served as the Flying Dutchmen's linebackers coach in 2021 and had recently been promoted to defensive coordinator.
Ross was a three-year starter at linebacker at Michigan from 2012 to 2015. He also spent three seasons as a graduate assistant with the Wolverines from 2018 to 2020.
Ross appeared in 50 games for the Wolverines, making 21 starts and collecting four letters. He finished his career with 188 tackles and 16.5 TFLs. The Orchard Park, Mich., native was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team by ESPN in 2012.
Ross started coaching following a brief stint with the San Diego Chargers in 2016, who signed the linebacker out of college.
For more on Ross III, click here.
THE CHRISTIAN-YOUNG FILE
Christian-Young joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Defensive Backs Coach. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Christian-Young comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent the last four seasons.
In the last eight seasons, Christian-Young has helped coach teams to six bowl victories, two American Athletic Conference championship games and one league title.
In his 13 games as defensive backs coach with the Green Wave in 2023, the team intercepted 17 passes – a mark which ranked third nationally and led The American. As a unit, the Green Wave ranked 19th nationally in scoring defense (18.9) and 32nd nationally (second in The American) in total defense (332.7).
Christian-Young helped tutor three All-American Athletic Conference honorees in 2023 including First-Team cornerback Jarius Monroe. On the season, Tulane posted a team coverage grade of 84.5 according to PFF. Two Green Wave cornerbacks graded out in top six of The American at the position while safety Kam Pedescleaux ranked 14th nationally and fourth in the Group of 5 among all safeties with an 86.0 coverage grade.
Under Christian-Young's leadership in 2022 as a defensive backs coach, Tulane finished the season ranked second in The American in interceptions. Senior defensive back Macon Clark was named First Team All-AAC and tied 8th nationally in forced fumbles.
Christian-Young's unit also saw three defensive backs sign as rookie free agents following the 2023 NFL Draft, including Clark, Larry Brooks and Lummie Young IV.
During the 2021 campaign, Christian-Young served as the outside linebackers coach and played a key role in the Tulane defense having players ranked in the Top 10 in the conference in passes defended and interceptions in 2021.
Defensive lineman Darius Hodges finished with 16.5 tackles for loss, which was the most in The American and ranked 13th in the nation. In addition, Tulane's defense ranked fifth in most sacks per game during 2021.
In his first season in Uptown in 2020, Christian-Young's defensive backs played a pivotal role in helping the Green Wave defense rank among the league's Top 5 in scoring defense, interceptions and redzone defense.
Tulane's 2020 defensive backs helped Tulane lead The American in passes broken up with 42. In addition, the Green Wave's 51 passes defended ranked second in The American and tied for 19th in the nation, while their nine interceptions ranked 35th nationally.
He joined Tulane after serving on the Army West Point defensive staff for five seasons from 2015-19.
During his final two seasons in West Point, New York, he coached the safeties for the Black Knights, which finished the 2019 season fifth in the nation in passing yards allowed and 30th in total defense. Christian-Young also supported Army's recruiting efforts throughout the Southern United States.
Christian-Young arrived at Army as a defensive assistant in July 2015 and was promoted to cornerbacks coach for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
For more on Christian-Young, click here.
THE ETHERIDGE FILE
Etheridge joined University of Houston Football as its Defensive Backs Coach in January 2024. The hire marks Etheridge's second stint with the Cougars after serving as Cornerbacks Coach with the Cougars during the 2019-20 seasons.
Etheridge, a team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, spent three seasons (2021-23) with the Tigers as Secondary Coach. In February 2022, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
During his three seasons at Auburn, Etheridge tutored a pair of All-SEC defensive backs including 2023 Second-Team honoree Jaylin Simpson, who ranked 19th in the country in interceptions (4), and 2021 First-Team honoree Roger McCreary, who paced the SEC in passes defended per game (1.3).
During 2023, Auburn posted the nation's No. 15-best coverage grade (89.7), trailing only Alabama and Georgia in the SEC, according to PFF. The Tigers ranked third in the league in passing yards allowed (202.2) and interceptions (12) while limiting opponents to fewer than 250 passing yards in 10 of its 13 games (15th nationally) and under 200 yards on seven occasions (20th nationally).
In 2023, senior D.J. James ranked 10th nationally and sixth in the Power 5 among cornerbacks with an 88.9 coverage grade per PFF. Meanwhile, Simpson ranked sixth among safeties with an 88.7 coverage grade.
In 2022, Auburn ranked 25th nationally in team passing efficiency defense (121.35). The Tigers' 86.1 coverage grade (PFF) ranked 22nd nationally. The Tigers continued their growth in the secondary, moving up 36 spots nationally in passing yards allowed, from 245.8 in 2021 to 222.7 in 2022.
In 2021, during his first season at Auburn, the Tigers moved up 13 spots in coverage grade according to PFF, advancing from 61st nationally (67.6) in 2020 to 48th in 2021 (75.6). McCreary was selected in the second round (pick 35) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Titans, becoming the fourth cornerback in Auburn history selected inside the Top 35 picks.
During his first stint at Houston, Etheridge mentored cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams. Jones was named an All-American in 2020 at cornerback by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was an All-American selection as a punt return specialist by the FWAA, CBS/247 Sports and Phil Steele Magazine. Jones also was graded as one of the Top 5 corners in 2020 by PFF. Under two seasons of Etheridge's tutelage, Williams blossomed into an all-conference player in 2020, starting 19 consecutive games for the Cougars.
Etheridge played a key role in Houston's improvement on defense in 2020, as the Cougars finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference in total defense (398.5 yards per game). Houston's defense also saw improvements from 2019 to 2020 in passing yards allowed, third down conversion defense percentage and tackles for loss.
In December 2020, he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession and is part of the AFCA Convention.
For more on Etheridge, click here.
THE KRYSL FILE
Krysl joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Senior Special Teams Analyst. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Krysl comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent one season as Special Teams Quality Control.
In 2023, Krysl, who played for Head Coach Willie Fritz at Central Missouri from 2005-07, assisted a special teams unit which ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (26.08) and 22nd nationally in punt return average (11.92). The Green Wave were also ranked inside the Top 50 nationally and third in The American Athletic Conference in net punting (39.87).
Tulane boasted two All-American Athletic Conference return specialists including Third-Team honoree Jha'Quan Jackson and Honorable Mention vote-getter Shedro Louis. Jackson averaged 12.2 yards on nine punt returns while Louis ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (28.7) and was one of two league players with a kickoff return touchdown. Tulane punter Will Karoll was also recognized as American Athletic Conference Honorable Mention after ranking fourth in the league with 43.5 yards per punt alongside 11 punts of 50+ yards and 11 downed inside the 20-yard line.
Prior to Tulane, Krysl spent one season (2022) at Samford where he served as the special teams coordinator while coaching offensive tackles and tight ends. That season, Samford led the nation in punt return defense (0.40) while ranking 12th in punt return average (15.26) and 19th nationally in kickoff return average (22.48). Punter Bradley Porcellato was named Second-Team All-Southern Conference.
Krysl spent two seasons (2020-21) as Special Teams Analyst at Arkansas. In 2021, kicker Cameron Little was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and Football Writers Association Freshman All-America Team. Little ranked third in the SEC in made field goals (19), fourth in field goal percentage (82.6%) and sixth in scoring (100) while twice being named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. That same season, kicker Vito Calvaruso was second nationally in touchbacks (63) and recognized as PFF's top-ranked kickoff specialist nationally. The Razorbacks were third in the SEC with 11.13 yards per punt return highlighted by returner Nathan Parodi who was second in the league and seventh nationally at 12.31 yards per return.
In 2020, Calvaruso ranked second in the SEC and ninth in the nation in kickoff average (64.31). Punter Reid Buaer was fifth in the league while averaging 43.54 yards per punt.
Prior to Arkansas, Krysl spent two seasons at Army West Point as Special Teams Coordinator (2018-19). In 2019, Army ranked in the top 20 in a host of categories including net punting (No. 7 – 42.24 yards), average yards per punt (No. 18 – 44.86), punt return defense (No. 17 – 4.11 yards per return) and opponent long punt return plays, which led the nation. Punter Zach Harding finished second in the country in yards per punt (48.2).
In 2018, Army produced an 11-2 record, once again leading the nation in fewest long punt return plays allowed. The Black Knights were ninth nationally in yards per return (14.92) led by punt returner Mike Reynolds who was eighth with 13.2 yards per return. Kicker John Abecrombie finished ninth nationally in field goal percentage (88.9) and did not miss an extra point. Reynolds and Abecrombie were each named to Phil Steele's All-Independent Second Team.
For more on Krysl, click here.
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Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
James Ross III joins Houston as Linebackers Coach after helping direct one of the nation's top defenses as Tulane's Senior Defensive Analyst a season ago. Joshua Christian-Young and Zac Etheridge will each coach defensive backs. Young was with Fritz at Tulane for four seasons including the last two in the same capacity while Etheridge makes his return to Houston following three standout seasons at Auburn as Secondary Coach including the last two as Associate Head Coach. Decorated Defensive Line Coach Brian Early returns for his sixth season with the program in the same capacity. Defensive Coordinator Shiel Wood, whose hire was announced Tuesday, will oversee the unit.
The Cougars welcome back a pair of Analysts including Trey Holtz who moves from the offensive side of the ball to defense. Holtz, who was part of back-to-back Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl victories at Ohio State, recently spent time at Charlotte and Louisiana Tech. Will Weaver is also back for his sixth season as Defensive Analyst. Weaver possesses 17 years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience at a variety of levels including FBS, FCS and Division II alongside experience in the Big 12, The American, Conference USA, Southland and Gulf South.Krysl served as Special Teams Quality Control at Tulane where the Green Wave ranked inside the Top 25 nationally in kickoff return average and punt return average in 2023. He has spent nearly 15 seasons in collegiate athletics including as Special Teams Coordinator at both Army West Point (2018-19) and Samford (2016-17; 2022) as well Special Teams Analyst at Arkansas (2020-21) among other stops.
THE EARLY FILE
Early was named defensive line coach at Houston on Jan. 18, 2019 after five seasons in the same position at Arkansas State. The 2024 season will be his sixth at Houston.
Early has mentored seven all-conference selections in five seasons including the program's first Big 12 Conference accolades in 2023 highlighted by defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser earning First-Team honors. Ceaser led the Big 12 with 9.5 sacks.
2022 First-Team All-Conference honoree D'Anthony Jones led the nation with eight combined forced fumbles from 2021-22 and paced The American with 14.0 sacks between the 2021-22 seasons. In 2022, Jones boasted the nation's top pass rush grade among edge defenders (93.1) and second-best overall grade among the group (91.4) according to PFF.
Between 2021-22, the Cougars produced 192 tackles for loss which ranked 11th nationally and first in the state of Texas. Houston's 74 sacks in that timeframe ranked 14th nationally and first in Texas.
Houston was the only program in the country to rank inside PFF's Top 5 for pass rush grade for three straight seasons between 2020-22. During 2022, Houston boasted the nation's top mark (92.6). The Cougars were second in the country (91.7) in 2021 and tied for fourth (90.3) in 2020.
During 2022, the Cougars led the nation with two edge rushers ranked inside the Top 10 for pass rush with Jones topping the country (93.1) and Atlias Bell finishing tied for 10th (90.7).
Houston finished the 2022 season ranked 11th nationally with 7.2 tackles for loss per game while doing so for a majority of the season without Derek Parish (torn bicep) who became the only Houston player since 2000 to record at least 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks through the school's first four games. Parish, a seventh round NFL Draft selection by Jacksonville, set the American Athletic Conference record for sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (6.5) in a single game, doing so at Texas Tech on Sept. 10, 2022.
In his third season as defensive line coach, Early oversaw one of the most feared units in the nation. The 2021 unit earned the name "Sack Ave" for its ability to get after the opposing quarterback. The Cougars recorded 45 sacks, ranking fifth nationally.
Early has tutored two top-two round NFL Draft picks with defensive end Logan Hall being selected with the first pick of the second round in 2022 and defensive lineman Payton Turner being selected with the 28th overall pick in the first round in 2021.
He also helped the Cougars be stout against the run. UH ranked 10th among all FBS teams in rush yards allowed per game (107.1) and yards allowed per rush (3.38).
For more on Early, click here.
THE ROSS III FILE
Ross III joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Linebackers Coach. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Ross comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent the 2023 season as Senior Defensive Analyst.
At Tulane, Ross III helped direct one of the nation's top defenses. Tulane led The American Athletic Conference in passes intercepted (17) and turnovers forced (25). The Green Wave's 25 turnovers gained entering bowl season ranked second nationally and marked the program's most in seven seasons (27 in 2016).
The team finished ranked inside the Top 30 nationally in eight statistical categories including turnovers gained (25; 2nd) passes interception (17; 3rd), rushing defense (93.5; 7th), scoring defense (18.9; 19th), fourth-down conversion percentage defense (42.9%; 24th), team sacks/game (2.62; 26th), tackles for loss (6.3; 30th) and fumbles recovered (8; 30th).
Prior to Tulane, Ross III spent the 2022 season as Outside Linebackers Coach at Cincinnati. There, he was responsible for creating defensive game plans and coordinating meetings with his position group in addition to assisting with the evaluation, recruitment and retention of student-athletes.
He joined the Bearcats from Hope College where he served as the Flying Dutchmen's linebackers coach in 2021 and had recently been promoted to defensive coordinator.
Ross was a three-year starter at linebacker at Michigan from 2012 to 2015. He also spent three seasons as a graduate assistant with the Wolverines from 2018 to 2020.
Ross appeared in 50 games for the Wolverines, making 21 starts and collecting four letters. He finished his career with 188 tackles and 16.5 TFLs. The Orchard Park, Mich., native was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team by ESPN in 2012.
Ross started coaching following a brief stint with the San Diego Chargers in 2016, who signed the linebacker out of college.
For more on Ross III, click here.
THE CHRISTIAN-YOUNG FILE
Christian-Young joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Defensive Backs Coach. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Christian-Young comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent the last four seasons.
In the last eight seasons, Christian-Young has helped coach teams to six bowl victories, two American Athletic Conference championship games and one league title.
In his 13 games as defensive backs coach with the Green Wave in 2023, the team intercepted 17 passes – a mark which ranked third nationally and led The American. As a unit, the Green Wave ranked 19th nationally in scoring defense (18.9) and 32nd nationally (second in The American) in total defense (332.7).
Christian-Young helped tutor three All-American Athletic Conference honorees in 2023 including First-Team cornerback Jarius Monroe. On the season, Tulane posted a team coverage grade of 84.5 according to PFF. Two Green Wave cornerbacks graded out in top six of The American at the position while safety Kam Pedescleaux ranked 14th nationally and fourth in the Group of 5 among all safeties with an 86.0 coverage grade.
Under Christian-Young's leadership in 2022 as a defensive backs coach, Tulane finished the season ranked second in The American in interceptions. Senior defensive back Macon Clark was named First Team All-AAC and tied 8th nationally in forced fumbles.
Christian-Young's unit also saw three defensive backs sign as rookie free agents following the 2023 NFL Draft, including Clark, Larry Brooks and Lummie Young IV.
During the 2021 campaign, Christian-Young served as the outside linebackers coach and played a key role in the Tulane defense having players ranked in the Top 10 in the conference in passes defended and interceptions in 2021.
Defensive lineman Darius Hodges finished with 16.5 tackles for loss, which was the most in The American and ranked 13th in the nation. In addition, Tulane's defense ranked fifth in most sacks per game during 2021.
In his first season in Uptown in 2020, Christian-Young's defensive backs played a pivotal role in helping the Green Wave defense rank among the league's Top 5 in scoring defense, interceptions and redzone defense.
Tulane's 2020 defensive backs helped Tulane lead The American in passes broken up with 42. In addition, the Green Wave's 51 passes defended ranked second in The American and tied for 19th in the nation, while their nine interceptions ranked 35th nationally.
He joined Tulane after serving on the Army West Point defensive staff for five seasons from 2015-19.
During his final two seasons in West Point, New York, he coached the safeties for the Black Knights, which finished the 2019 season fifth in the nation in passing yards allowed and 30th in total defense. Christian-Young also supported Army's recruiting efforts throughout the Southern United States.
Christian-Young arrived at Army as a defensive assistant in July 2015 and was promoted to cornerbacks coach for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
For more on Christian-Young, click here.
THE ETHERIDGE FILE
Etheridge joined University of Houston Football as its Defensive Backs Coach in January 2024. The hire marks Etheridge's second stint with the Cougars after serving as Cornerbacks Coach with the Cougars during the 2019-20 seasons.
Etheridge, a team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, spent three seasons (2021-23) with the Tigers as Secondary Coach. In February 2022, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
During his three seasons at Auburn, Etheridge tutored a pair of All-SEC defensive backs including 2023 Second-Team honoree Jaylin Simpson, who ranked 19th in the country in interceptions (4), and 2021 First-Team honoree Roger McCreary, who paced the SEC in passes defended per game (1.3).
During 2023, Auburn posted the nation's No. 15-best coverage grade (89.7), trailing only Alabama and Georgia in the SEC, according to PFF. The Tigers ranked third in the league in passing yards allowed (202.2) and interceptions (12) while limiting opponents to fewer than 250 passing yards in 10 of its 13 games (15th nationally) and under 200 yards on seven occasions (20th nationally).
In 2023, senior D.J. James ranked 10th nationally and sixth in the Power 5 among cornerbacks with an 88.9 coverage grade per PFF. Meanwhile, Simpson ranked sixth among safeties with an 88.7 coverage grade.
In 2022, Auburn ranked 25th nationally in team passing efficiency defense (121.35). The Tigers' 86.1 coverage grade (PFF) ranked 22nd nationally. The Tigers continued their growth in the secondary, moving up 36 spots nationally in passing yards allowed, from 245.8 in 2021 to 222.7 in 2022.
In 2021, during his first season at Auburn, the Tigers moved up 13 spots in coverage grade according to PFF, advancing from 61st nationally (67.6) in 2020 to 48th in 2021 (75.6). McCreary was selected in the second round (pick 35) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Titans, becoming the fourth cornerback in Auburn history selected inside the Top 35 picks.
During his first stint at Houston, Etheridge mentored cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams. Jones was named an All-American in 2020 at cornerback by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was an All-American selection as a punt return specialist by the FWAA, CBS/247 Sports and Phil Steele Magazine. Jones also was graded as one of the Top 5 corners in 2020 by PFF. Under two seasons of Etheridge's tutelage, Williams blossomed into an all-conference player in 2020, starting 19 consecutive games for the Cougars.
Etheridge played a key role in Houston's improvement on defense in 2020, as the Cougars finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference in total defense (398.5 yards per game). Houston's defense also saw improvements from 2019 to 2020 in passing yards allowed, third down conversion defense percentage and tackles for loss.
In December 2020, he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession and is part of the AFCA Convention.
For more on Etheridge, click here.
THE KRYSL FILE
Krysl joined University of Houston Football in January 2024 as its Senior Special Teams Analyst. The 2024 season will be his first with the Cougars. Krysl comes to Houston from Tulane where he spent one season as Special Teams Quality Control.
In 2023, Krysl, who played for Head Coach Willie Fritz at Central Missouri from 2005-07, assisted a special teams unit which ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (26.08) and 22nd nationally in punt return average (11.92). The Green Wave were also ranked inside the Top 50 nationally and third in The American Athletic Conference in net punting (39.87).
Tulane boasted two All-American Athletic Conference return specialists including Third-Team honoree Jha'Quan Jackson and Honorable Mention vote-getter Shedro Louis. Jackson averaged 12.2 yards on nine punt returns while Louis ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (28.7) and was one of two league players with a kickoff return touchdown. Tulane punter Will Karoll was also recognized as American Athletic Conference Honorable Mention after ranking fourth in the league with 43.5 yards per punt alongside 11 punts of 50+ yards and 11 downed inside the 20-yard line.
Prior to Tulane, Krysl spent one season (2022) at Samford where he served as the special teams coordinator while coaching offensive tackles and tight ends. That season, Samford led the nation in punt return defense (0.40) while ranking 12th in punt return average (15.26) and 19th nationally in kickoff return average (22.48). Punter Bradley Porcellato was named Second-Team All-Southern Conference.
Krysl spent two seasons (2020-21) as Special Teams Analyst at Arkansas. In 2021, kicker Cameron Little was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and Football Writers Association Freshman All-America Team. Little ranked third in the SEC in made field goals (19), fourth in field goal percentage (82.6%) and sixth in scoring (100) while twice being named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. That same season, kicker Vito Calvaruso was second nationally in touchbacks (63) and recognized as PFF's top-ranked kickoff specialist nationally. The Razorbacks were third in the SEC with 11.13 yards per punt return highlighted by returner Nathan Parodi who was second in the league and seventh nationally at 12.31 yards per return.
In 2020, Calvaruso ranked second in the SEC and ninth in the nation in kickoff average (64.31). Punter Reid Buaer was fifth in the league while averaging 43.54 yards per punt.
Prior to Arkansas, Krysl spent two seasons at Army West Point as Special Teams Coordinator (2018-19). In 2019, Army ranked in the top 20 in a host of categories including net punting (No. 7 – 42.24 yards), average yards per punt (No. 18 – 44.86), punt return defense (No. 17 – 4.11 yards per return) and opponent long punt return plays, which led the nation. Punter Zach Harding finished second in the country in yards per punt (48.2).
In 2018, Army produced an 11-2 record, once again leading the nation in fewest long punt return plays allowed. The Black Knights were ninth nationally in yards per return (14.92) led by punt returner Mike Reynolds who was eighth with 13.2 yards per return. Kicker John Abecrombie finished ninth nationally in field goal percentage (88.9) and did not miss an extra point. Reynolds and Abecrombie were each named to Phil Steele's All-Independent Second Team.
For more on Krysl, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
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Players Mentioned
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