Middle Tennessee State University Football

Updated December 2025 A veteran of 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, Derek Mason is in his third season as head coach of Middle Tennessee. Mason was hired to lead the Blue Raider program on Dec. 6, 2023 as MTSU’s 16th head coach all-time. Mason, who spent the 2023 season working as an analyst for the SEC Network, had seven years experience as a head coach prior to being named the leader of the Blue Raiders. Prior to his television job, he coached in 2022 at Oklahoma State as the defensive coordinator and helped the Cowboys to a spot in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Prior to his stint at Oklahoma State, Mason served as the defensive coordinator at Auburn for the 2021 season. The Mason-led Tigers improved by 14.5% in third down defense from 2020 to move up 84 places in the final FBS rankings. Auburn also improved from the previous season in tackles for loss by 1.4 per game (up 65 places), rushing defense by 35 yards per game (up 33 places), first downs allowed by three per game (up 32 places), fourth down defense by 10% (up 21 places), sacks by .33 per game (up 13 places), scoring defense by three points per game (up 11 places) and total defense by 32 yards per game (up two places). From 2014-2020, Mason was the head coach at Vanderbilt where he became just the second coach in program history to lead a team to multiple bowl appearances. His 2018 team won six games and capped the regular season with a third straight victory over rival Tennessee and fifth in seven years. It

Updated December 2025 AJ Reisig is in his third season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Reisig coaches the linebackers. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, linebackers, 2024-present • Date Hired: Jan. 23, 2024 • His unit accounted for three of the top eight tacklers on the team in 2024 with all three setting personal-bests in totals stops (Parker Hughes, Jalen Davis and Jordan Thompson) • In 2025, LB Parker Hughes led the team with a career-best 100 tackles to become the first linebacker at MTSU with triple digit tackles since 2013. Hughes also earned second team all-conference honors • Korey Smith and Muaaz Byard both had career years in 2025 At Houston Roughnecks, linebackers, 2023 • The Roughnecks went 7-3, led the league in total defense and Reisig’s linebackers were second and third in the league in total tackles At Maryland, senior defensive analyst, 2021-22 • Helped lead the Terps to back-to-back bowl wins for the first time since 2003 and an eight-win season for the first time since 2010 • Coached four NFL Draft picks during his second stint at Maryland At U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, run game coordinator/defensive line, 2020 • Team only played one game in 2020 due to COVID-19 • Was promoted to defensive coordinator in March 2021 but left in August before the 2021 season started At Towson, senior defensive analyst/assistant safeties, 2019 • Team went 7-5, including a win over No. 7 Maine At Lehigh, cornerbacks and rovers, 2016-18 • While at Lehigh,

FootballSkip AdMuhammad, AbdulBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated January 2026 Albert Poree, who spent the previous two years in the CFL, is in his first season as a member of Mason’s coaching staff. Poree has the title of running backs coach. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, running backs, 2026-present • Date Hired: Jan. 30, 2026 At Edmonton Elks, running backs, 2024-25 • Team went 7-11 in 2024 as three back topped 500 rushing yards on the season • Team finished 7-11 in 2025 as Justin Rankin rushed for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns At Southeastern Louisiana, running backs, 2021-23 • Poree oversaw a running back group that was a key contributor to the Lions winning the 2022 Southland Conference championship. Poree’s crew was highlighted by Carlos Washington Jr., who rushed for 715 yards and 15 touchdowns – tied for the third-highest single-season total in program history and the most ever by a Lion running back – on the way to being named second team All-Southland Conference. • In 2021, Poree’s group was led by Taron Jones. Jones earned a spot on both the All-Southland Conference and Southland All-Academic teams. Jones rushed for six touchdowns and was third on the team with 44 receptions. • Poree helped the SLU ball carriers contribute to a Southeastern offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense, total offense, third down conversion percentage, fourth down conversion percentage and red zone offense in the 2020 season that was played in the spring of 2021. His charges succeeded on and off the field, a

Updated January 2026 Anthony Scelfo, a former football and baseball player at Tulane, is in his first year as a member of Derek Mason’s staff. Scelfo serves ...

FootballSkip AdSmith, BretBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated December 2025 Brian Stewart, a veteran with over 30 years of coaching experience at the college and professional ranks, is in his third season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Stewart has the title of assistant head coach/defensive coordinator while also handling the safeties position. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, asst. head coach/defensive coordinator/safeties, 2024-present • Date Hired: Dec. 11, 2023 • Under his tutelage, safety Xavier Williams moved from QB in mid-season to lead the Blue Raiders in tackles and earn honorable mention all-league honors • His 2025 unit ranked second in CUSA in rushing defense while producing first team all-conference pick Damonte Smith and second team member Parker Hughes At Houston Roughnecks (XFL), defensive coordinator, 2023 • Team ranked No. 1 in the XFL in total defense, No. 1 in sacks, tied for first in defensive touchdowns and No. 2 in interceptions At Maryland, Defensive Coordinator, 2021 • Helped lead team to the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl championship • Defense recorded one shutout At Baylor, cornerbacks, 2020 • Helped lead a Baylor defense that ranked second in the Big 12 allowing only 203.0 passing yards per game while also ranking second with 12 interceptions • CB Raleigh Texada earned All-Big 12 honors At Detroit Lions, defensive backs, 2018-19 • Spent two seasons on Matt Patricia’s staff • Under his leadership, Darius Slay reached consecutive pro bowls and had at least two interceptions in each season

Updated December 2025 Bryce Lewis, a former player under Derek Mason, is in his third season as a member of Mason’s coaching staff. Lewis has the title of secondary coach. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, secondary, 2024-present • Date Hired: Dec. 11, 2023 • In 2025 he guided Jackson Lowe to CUSA All-Freshman honors after finishing seventh on the team in tackles to go with an interception and four pass breakups At Oklahoma State, defensive analyst, 2022-23 • Team played in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl and made the Big 12 Championship game in 2023 • Defense ranked 2nd nationally in third down defense • Coached safety All-American Jason Taylor and 2022 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Kendal Daniels At Auburn, defensive quality control analyst, 2021 • The Tigers ranked fourth in the SEC in scoring defense and went on to play in the Birmingham Bowl At Vanderbilt, quality control, 2018-20 • Team made the 2018 Texas Bowl and had wins over Arkansas, Ole Miss and Tennessee COACHING EXPERIENCE • 2018-20: Vanderbilt (quality control) • 2021: Auburn (quality control) • 2022-23: Oklahoma State (defensive analyst) • 2024-Present: Middle Tennessee (secondary) Personal • Birthdate: Oct. 5, 1995 • Hometown: Lilburn, GA • Wife: Kryslynn • Children: Bryce Jr., Ashtynn and Raelynn Education • High School: Parkview High School • College: Vanderbilt, master’s in learning, diversify and urban studies, 2019 Playing Experience (DB) • Vanderbilt (2015-17) Bowl Experience • 2016: Independence Bo

Updated January 2026 Calvin Lowry, a three-year NFL veteran, is in his third season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Lowry coaches the outside receivers after handling the running backs his first two years. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, outside receivers, 2026-Present • Made the move to outside receivers in the offseason At Middle Tennessee, running backs/run game coordinator, 2024-2025 • Date Hired: Jan. 21, 2024 • In 2024, Jaiden Credle, Jekail Middlebrook and Terry Wilkins all set personal season highs in rushing and receptions under Lowery while Middlebrook earned CUSA All-Freshman honors • Added run game coordinator to his title in 2025 • In 2025, Jekail Middlebrook led the team in rushing with a career-best 752 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a personal-high 40 receptions (top five nationally among running backs) for 412 yards and three scores (Middlebrook’s 1,228 all-purpose yards led the team and made him the first MTSU back to reach 1,000 yards since 2016) At Penn State, offensive analyst/wide receivers/special teams, 2020-23 • Worked in all areas involving the offense and special teams At Tulsa, co-pass game coordinator/wide receivers, 2021-22 At Tulsa, special teams coordinator/wide receivers, 2015-20 • During his Tulsa tenure, Lowry had six Hurricane receivers surpass 1,000 yards in a single season • In his first three years, Lowry tutored three receivers – Keevan Lucas, Keyarris Garrett and Josh Atkinson – who completed their c

FootballSkip AdCurtis, CamBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated December 2025 Christopher Browne, who has over 10 years of college and NFL coaching experience, is in his first year as a member of Derek Mason’s staff. Browne serves as the programs offensive line coach. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, offensive line, 2026-present • Date Hired: Dec. 16, 2025 At Arkansas, offensive line assistant, 2025 • Team finished third in the SEC in rushing at 191.9 yards per game and 26th nationally while ranking second in the SEC in red zone offense (17th nationally) • The Razorbacks were also fourth in the SEC in total offense (454.8) and 19th nationally • The offensive line helped pave the way for running back Mike Washington to rush for 1,070 yards (25th nationally) At Alabama State, offensive line, 2024 • The offensive line helped ASU to rank third in the SWAC in rushing while also giving up the fewest sacks in the league • Mentored three all-conference linemen in his lone season and an FCS All-American • Completed the Bill Walsh internship with the Houston Texans At Iowa, offensive line assistant, 2023 • The Hawkeyes were Big Ten West Champions with a 10-2 record and earned a trip to the Citrus Bowl • Had six all-conference offensive linemen and was part of the prestigious Bill Walsh Diversity Internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers At Mississippi Valley State, offensive line, 2022 • Coached two all-conference linemen and an HBCU All-American • Received Football Scoop accolades as a Top 100 Young Minority on the Rise Coach • Also

Updated December 2025 Twitter: C_CrowleyMT Coley Crowley is in his fifth season at MTSU and his third as a member of Derek Mason's staff. After two years as an offensive analyst, Crowley was elevated to inside receivers coach at the conclusion of the 2025 season. On Nov. 11, 2025, Crowley was elevated to Interim Wide Receivers coach for the remainder of the year. Crowley spent the previous two years on Rick Stockstill’s staff as a defensive GA in 2022 and an offensive quality control in 2023. Crowley made his way to MTSU after four seasons at Sewanee as an assistant coach, working specifically with the wide receivers and tight ends. Prior to his arrival at Sewanee, Crowley spent time working at his alma mater, Albion College in Michigan. Lettering four seasons with the Britons, he was a member of the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) conference championship team that also earned a berth into the NCAA Division III Football Championships. He spent the spring semester prior to commencement as a Student Assistant Coach. He was responsible for off-season conditioning, film breakdown, assisted with quarterbacks and receivers and recruiting. Originally from Jackson, Mich., Crowley played football for Lumen Christi High School, where he was a team captain, an All-Conference selection and a member of a conference championship team his senior year. Crowley graduated from Albion with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology - Exercise Science in 2018.

FootballSkip AdMcAlpin, Jack Browne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated January 2026 Joe Ganz, a former Nebraska quarterback, is in his third season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Ganz coaches the quarterbacks after handling the tight ends his first two years. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, quarterbacks, 2026-Present • Made the move to coaching the quarterbacks during the offseason At Middle Tennessee, tight ends, 2024-2025 • Date Hired: Jan. 22, 2024 • In 2024, he guided Holden Willis to a career season and first team all-league honors. Willis hauled in 53 passes for 871 yards and a team-best six touchdowns to earn All-American honors from Sports Illustrated, College Football News and HERO Sports. • The 2025 campaign saw tight end Hunter Tipton flourish with 39 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns At Northern Iowa, pass game coordinator/wide receivers, 2020-23 • In 2023, Sam Schnee was both UNI's and the conference's leading receiver with 1,041 total receiving yards and 94.64 per game as well as 18.26 yards per reception • Schnee, a first team all-conference and second team all-American in 2023, finished seventh on UNI's all-time receiving yards list and was the 11th Panther to join the 2,000+ receiving yard club At Youngstown State, quarterbacks, 2018-19 • In 2019 Ganz helped utilize multiple quarterbacks successfully for the Penguins to go 5-2 at home. Senior Nathan Mays had the best year of his career completing 91-of-149 passes for 1,287 yards and 13 touchdowns while sophomore Joe Craycraft completed 6

FootballSkip AdWegrzyn, JoshBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

FootballSkip AdLeonard, LJBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated December 2025 Louie Cioffi (pronounced Lou-ee CHOE-fee), a 26-year NFL veteran, is in his second season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Cioffi serves as the programs co-Special Teams Coordinator. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, co-special teams coordinator, 2025-present • Date Hired: May 16, 2025 • The 2025 special teams unit had the best cumulative ranking in CUSA while leading the league in kickoff coverage, ranking fourth in punting and second in field goal percentage (kickoff specialist Baylen Woodman earned CUSA All-Freshman honors, while punter Ashton Logan’s 44.7 average ranked second all-time for a single-season at MTSU) At Cincinnati Bengals, defensive assistant, 2021-24 • Helped coach the secondary and handled pass game adjustments in game At Vanderbilt, special consultant and defensive analyst, 2020 • Hired to help the staff during Covid-19 with player meetings, game plan ideas and advance work At DC Defenders, defensive coordinator, 2020 • Helped guide DC Defenders in XFL to first place finish in the East • Defense was responsible for first shutout in XFL history and finished first in defensive touchdowns • Defense was second in third down efficiency and third in red zone stops At Atlanta Legends, defensive coordinator/linebackers, 2019 • Defense led the league in total yards allowed (2,210), total yards allowed per game (276.3), passing yards allowed per game (158.4) and tied for fourth in quarterback sacks (19) At Southeastern Loui

FootballSkip AdMiller, Marcus Browne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

FootballSkip AdStidham, NashBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated January 2026 Ross Jenkins, a former Louisiana Tech quarterback, is in his first season as a member of Mason’s coaching staff. Jenkins has the title of tight ends coach. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, tight ends, 2026-present • Date Hired: Jan. 29, 2026 At Southeastern Louisiana, assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/tight ends, 2018-25 • Coached one of the top tight ends in school history in 2019, as senior Bransen Schwebel finished with 50 catches for 609 yards and four touchdowns on the way to earning All-Southland and All-Louisiana honors. As the special teams coordinator, Jenkins helped Devonte Williams earn All-Southland Conference honors as a punt returner. • In the 2020 season that was played in the spring of 2021, Jenkins worked with three All-Southland Conference performers. Tight end/fullback Damien Dawson, Austin Dunlap and Rengifo were all selected among the league’s best under Jenkins’ tutelage. • In 2021, all members of his special teams units earned All-Southland Conference honors. Dunlap and kicker Mateo Rengifo were both repeat selections among the league’s best, while SLC Freshman of the Year Gage Larvadain was a first team All-Southland and All-Louisiana selection at kick returner. • The 2022 Lions ranked among the FCS leaders in kickoff return average (24.3, 12th) and net punting average (39.9). Dunlap was 10th nationally in punting average, Riley Callaghan was eighth in field goals per game and 10th in field goal percentage, wh

FootballSkip AdMonaco, TylerBrowne, ChristopherCioffi, LouieCrowley, ColeyCurtis, CamGanz, JoeHargreaves, VernonJenkins, RossLeonard, LJLewis, BryceLowry, CalvinMason, DerekMcAlpin, Jack Miller, Marcus Monaco, TylerMuhammad, AbdulPoree, AlReisig, A.J.Scelfo, AnthonySmith, BretSmith, JoshuaStewart, BrianStidham, NashWegrzyn, Josh

Updated December 2025 A veteran with more than 35 years of coaching experience, Vernon Hargreaves is in his third season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Hargreaves coaches the defensive line. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: At Middle Tennessee, defensive line, 2024-present • Date Hired: Jan. 24, 2024 • Led a defensive line in 2024 that produced two CUSA All-Freshman honorees in Anthony Bynum and Shakai Woods (Bynum’s 60 tackles went down as the second most in CUSA among linemen) • The defensive line group played a major role in MTSU ranking second in CUSA in rushing defense in 2025 as the group accounted for 35.5 TFLs and 14.5 sacks • Mentored 2025 first team all-conference selection Damonte Smith who became the first MTSU defensive tackle to win first team all-conference honors since 2005 At Howard, defensive line/special teams, 2020-23 • In 2023, Hargreaves coached Darrian Brokenburr to first team All-MEAC honors and Jamel Stewart to second team recognition on a defense that ranked 22nd nationally in total defense • In 2022, he tutored defensive lineman Jevin Jackson to first team honors while Brokenburr was a second team selection • Kicker Faraji Woodson earned All-MEAC recognition in 2021 At Missouri, inside linebackers, 2018-19 • In 2018, junior LB Cale Garrett blossomed into the undisputed glue of a Tiger defense that improved significantly during the course of the year, one that played a big role in MU's eight-win season and berth in the 2018 AutoZone Liberty Bowl •