Jan. 4, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Former Catamount quarterback and assistant coach Kent Briggs was announced as Western Carolina University's 11th head football coach by Director of Athletics Jeff Compher Friday afternoon during a press conference held in the Ramsey Activity Center.
Briggs, who agreed to a four-year contract, returns to his alma mater after one season as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Connecticut.
"Kent (Briggs) has all the qualities I was looking for in our next head coach," Compher said. "He is man of integrity, a proven coach and someone who cares deeply about the student-athlete experience. Obviously the fact he has such strong ties to Western as a student-athlete and coach is a great plus for our University. He understands Western Carolina and will instill a sense of tradition in our program."
Prior to his appointment with the Huskies, Briggs spent 11 seasons (1989-99) as an assistant coach at North Carolina State University, including four years (1996-99) as co-defensive coordinator. He started his tenure with the Wolfpack working with the defensive backs from 1989-90, a position he coached from 1994-99 as well, while coaching the outside linebackers from 1991-93.
His 1998 defense ranked among the nation's leaders in pass efficiency, while ending the season tied for second in the NCAA with 19 interceptions. In 1989, the N.C. State defense led the Atlantic Coast Conference by allowing just 167.8 passing yards per game. He helped the Wolfpack earn seven postseason berths, including the 1998 Micron PC Bowl, the 1991 and 1994 Peach Bowls, the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl, the 1992 Gator Bowl, the 1990 All-American Bowl and the 1989 Copper Bowl. Also, N.C. State defeated Iowa in the 1990 Kickoff Classic and Texas in the 1999 Black Coaches Association Classic.
Briggs spent nine seasons (1980-88) as an assistant with the Catamounts under legendary head coach Bob Waters. Upon earning his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1979 from Western, Briggs spent two seasons (1980-81) as a graduate assistant, working with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. During that time, he completed his master's degree in physical education. In 1982 Waters made Briggs a full time assistant. He coached the defensive ends from 1982-83, the outside linebackers from 1984-85 and the defensive backs from 1986-88.
In 1983, Briggs helped the Catamounts have their best season in school history, posting a 11-3-1 record and reaching the NCAA I-AA championship game. Western opened the following season as the nation's top-ranked team before finishing 14th with an 8-3 mark.
In his 21 years at the collegiate level, Briggs has coached 14 players who have signed professional football contracts - 12 in the National Football League and two in the Canadian Football League. Among the WCU greats to move on to the NFL under Briggs' guidance include All-Americans Louis Cooper and Clyde Simmons.
The Asheville native and A.C. Reynolds High product played quarterback at WCU from 1976-79. Briggs started several games as a redshirt freshman in 1976, completing 25-of-40 passes for 353 yards with four touchdowns and only one interception. He spent the 1977 and 1978 seasons as a backup to the Southern Conference's leading passer Mike Pusey. For his senior season, Briggs played in nine games, nearly matching his freshman year totals with 24 completions on 41 attempts for 270 yards and a touchdown. Briggs helped Western to a winning record each of his four years, which is the only time WCU has had four consecutive winning seasons.
Briggs, 44, is married to the former Lisa Thomas, who is a Western Carolina graduate. The couple have two children - daughter Alexandra (9) and son Cody (6).
On Kent Briggs...
"I think Kent Briggs is an outstanding football coach. He is also an excellent person and a great family man. He did a great job for us in his one year here and has all the qualities that it takes to be a great head coach. He will also be able to do an outstanding job recruiting in the area."
-Randy Edsell, University of Connecticut Head Football Coach
"Kent (Briggs) is a highly skilled coach and well respected throughout the coaching profession. He is a coach that can be tough with his players, but they will always know that he cares for them and has their best interest at heart. He approaches coaching with great integrity and has an outstanding work ethic. He will surround himself with coaches who hold those same values. His experience as a player and a coach at Western Carolina is a big plus. He now joins many other current coaches who have come back to their alma maters like John Bunting (North Carolina) and Frank Solich (Nebraska). He already has the built-in loyalty to the University and can instill that in his players. I don't think that Western could have made a better choice than Kent Briggs"
-Dick Sheridan, Former North Carolina State University Head Football Coach
"Western Carolina could have looked for a decade and not found a better selection to be its head football coach than Kent Briggs. He is the total package. He has character and charisma and understands what it takes to be a winner on and off the field. Kent will make every Catamount supporter very proud for years to come."
-Dr. Jerry Punch, ESPN Reporter
