Schweigert adds Stepps to coaching staff https://t.co/ULC4rdfqx9 #BigSkyFB
— North Dakota Football (@UNDfootball) January 12, 2016
Head Coach Bubba Schweigert announced on Tuesday that UND has filled the only staff vacancy with the hire of Travis Stepps. Stepps will coach defensive backs for UND.
Schweigert and Stepps have a history as they worked together on the same staff at Southern Illinois from 2008-2013. Schweigert was the defensive coordinator and Stepps was the secondary coach. Current UND defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt was also on that staff as linebacker coach.
Stepps coached at SIU for 12 seasons and brings a total of 14 years of experience with him to UND. Stepps worked under former SIU coach Jerry Kill before being retained by Dale Lennon in 2008.
As a player, Stepps name may sound familiar as he was an All-American cornerback as a junior and senior at Pittsburg State in 2000 and 2001. Pitt State visited Grand Forks in 2001 when they played UND at the Alerus Center in the playoffs.
Coaches love familiarity/trust when making hires. Stepps is a known entity to Schweigert and his defensive staff making this hire a no-brainer. Plus, they replace Marty Rodgers (who ironically left for SIU), a coach with 2 years of experience, with Stepps who has 14 years. Solid hire.
We believe Schweigert will continue to help with the secondary has he has done his entire career.
