Assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers addresses the media at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center during his introduction press conference on Jan. 12, 2012. Credit: Lantern file photo
Ohio State assistant coach, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Everett Withers has been named head football coach at James Madison University, JMU athletic director Jeff Bourne announced Friday.
“We are so thrilled to welcome Coach Withers and his family to James Madison,” Bourne said, in a JMU released statement. “Everett is a proven winner and has shown his ability to lead, having spent time as a head coach. The entire committee was incredibly impressed when we met with him, and I have no doubt that he will be a great leader for our football program and mentor to our student-athletes for many years to come.”
OSU coach Urban Meyer said he is “happy” for Withers.
“Everett is extremely well-respected in the coaching profession and I’ve enjoyed having him on our staff,” Meyer said in a statement emailed to The Lantern by an OSU athletics spokesman Friday. “He is a great family man, cares about his players and is an excellent recruiter. I expect that he will be a fine head coach.”
Withers spent two seasons with the Buckeyes, brought in by coach Urban Meyer before the 2012 season. During his two year tenure at OSU, the team compiled a 24-1 record, including two straight undefeated regular seasons.
Before coming to Columbus, Withers spent time with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels as their interim head coach for a season and defensive coordinator for the three before that. He also spent time in the NFL, as a defensive backs coach for the Tennessee Titans.
“Coach Withers impressed us greatly not only with his experience on the field, but also with his strong commitment to the student-athlete,” JMU President Jonathan Alger said in a released statement. “Coach Withers is dedicated to JMU’s educational mission and believes that his team’s success begins in the classroom.”
