The University of South Alabama Jaguars football program has made significant strides in its coaching staff by hiring two new assistants from Power 4 conference teams: a running backs coach and a cornerbacks coach. These hires, announced in January 2025, highlight the program’s ongoing commitment to building a competitive and well-rounded football team capable of competing at the highest levels of college football.
South Alabama’s first new hire is **Marcus Tatum**, who joins the staff as the running backs coach. Tatum brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous role as a running backs coach at **Louisville**. During his tenure at Louisville, he developed several standout players, including All-ACC selections, and was instrumental in the team’s successful rushing attack. His ability to identify and develop talent has made him a sought-after coach in the college football landscape. At South Alabama, Tatum is expected to revamp the Jaguars’ running back corps, which will be crucial for the team’s offensive success moving forward. South Alabama has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing a balanced offensive game, and Tatum’s expertise in coaching running backs will be a key component of that strategy. He will work to elevate the team’s running game, focusing on improving technique, vision, and decision-making, while also incorporating modern offensive strategies that can help the team compete against higher-tier programs.
The second hire is **Jevon Kearse**, a new cornerbacks coach who comes to South Alabama after a successful stint at **Pittsburgh**. Kearse was instrumental in developing Pitt’s cornerback unit, helping the program maintain a top-ranked defense in the ACC. Known for his excellent coaching techniques and player development skills, Kearse has a strong background in coaching defensive backs and has worked with several future NFL prospects. His reputation for improving coverage skills and making defensive backs more aggressive on the field makes him an ideal fit for the Jaguars. At South Alabama, Kearse will be tasked with strengthening the defensive backfield, working to improve pass coverage, communication, and overall defensive awareness. As the Jaguars continue to face increasingly tougher competition, Kearse’s presence on the coaching staff will help the team remain competitive, particularly in the passing game, where opponents have consistently tested South Alabama’s defense in recent seasons.
The hires of Tatum and Kearse are part of a broader strategy by South Alabama’s athletic department to improve the football program and increase its visibility within the Group of Five and beyond. These hires come after a season in which the Jaguars showed promising signs of growth but ultimately fell short in some key areas. By bringing in high-quality coaches with experience at Power 4 schools, South Alabama is signaling its intent to elevate the program’s competitiveness and development.
South Alabama’s football program has become increasingly ambitious under head coach **Kenny Dillingham**, who has led the team through a period of transition and growth. These new hires are viewed as a step in the right direction for the team, providing experienced leadership at critical positions. As the Jaguars aim to build on their recent successes, the additions of Tatum and Kearse give them a solid foundation to improve both sides of the ball and prepare for future success in the competitive college football landscape.
