University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Football Announces Coaching Staff Additions
March 15, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
University of Richmond football coach Dave Clawson has announced the addition of three new coaches to his staff for the 2007 season.
Dave Legg, Defensive Coordinator at Christopher Newport, will coach the defensive line. Legg, who helped start the football program at CNU, was part of five NCAA postseason teams in six years with the Captains. Legg previously spent five years as an assistant at Bucknell and four years at William & Mary.
"Dave is someone who is familiar with our league and coaching at a school with high academic standards like Richmond," said Clawson. "I actually tried to hire Dave at Fordham five years ago, so he's someone I'm very familiar with and had my eye on if and when we lost somebody."
Former William & Mary captain and standout wide receiver Josh Lustig will serve as a Spider offensive assistant coach. Lustig spent last season as wide receivers coach at Christopher Newport. He caught 38 passes for 480 yards and three touchdowns during his senior season in 2005, and was part of the Tribe's 2004 NCAA playoff semifinal team.
It will be a homecoming for new defensive assistant Byron Thweatt. A Richmond native (Matoaca H.S.) who enjoyed a standout college career as a linebacker at Virginia, Thweatt spent time with Tampa Bay and Tennessee in the NFL and played in NFL Europe. He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant last year.
"Byron and Josh are good, younger coaches who competed at a high level and attended schools that can understand the demands of the student-athlete at Richmond," said Clawson. "I think they'll bring a lot of energy and excitement to our program."
Clawson plans to add another assistant following spring practice. The Spiders lost offensive coordinator Patrick Graham who headed to Notre Dame, and longtime assistant Jeff Hanson, who went to VMI , where he will be Chief of Staff.
"We've lost some very good coaches," stated Clawson. "We're happy they got great opportunities. It's a compliment that programs like Virginia and Notre Dame are picking coaches from the Richmond program. Although we're always sorry to see good coaches go, it gives us an opportunity to bring some new ideas into the program that will help us grow. I'm excited about the new coaches we have coming in."
The Spiders start spring practice Friday afternoon March 16, concluding with the Annual Spring game Sat. April 7 (3 p.m.) at First Market Stadium on campus. The 2007 season opener is Sat. Sept. 1 at Vanderbilt.