Jan. 4, 2001

WINSTON-SALEM -- Eight assistant coaches who worked with head coach Jim Grobe last season at Ohio University were officially named to similar positions at Wake Forest University, Grobe announced today.

A ninth assistant coach will be named in the near future.

The new Deacon coaches include: Troy Calhoun (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach); Keith Henry (outside linebackers); Dean Hood (defensive coordinator and secondary coach); Steed Lobotzke (centers and offensive guards); Ray McCartney (recruiting coordinator and defensive line); Billy Mitchell (assistant head coach, running backs and kickers); Jeff Mullen (tight ends and offensive tackles) and Kevin Sherman (receivers).

"I am excited that we were able to keep most of the coaching staff from Ohio University," Grobe said. "This allows us to stay ahead of the game in terms of continuity, hitting the ground running in recruiting and preparing for spring practice."

The only coach who won't accompany Grobe from Ohio to Wake Forest is Brian Knorr, who was named the Bobcats' new head coach.

Ohio finished with a 7-4 record in 2000, posting impressive victories over Minnesota (23-17), Bowling Green (23-21) and Marshall (38-28). The Bobcats closed the season by winning five of their last six games.

Calhoun, the offensive coordinator, guided an Ohio offense last season that ranked second nationally in rushing offense (323.0 ypg.), 18th nationally in fewest turnovers lost (18) and 30th in scoring offense (31.18 ppg.). Calhoun worked six years at Ohio as quarterbacks coach, including four seasons as offensive coordinator. He played four seasons at the Air Force Academy (1985-88) and earned his degree from the Air Force Academy in 1989.

Hood, the defensive coordinator, worked two years as the secondary coach at Ohio after working from 1994-98 as the defensive coordinator at Eastern Kentucky. Last season Ohio ranked 20th nationally in scoring defense (18.9 ppg.). Hood is a 1986 Ohio Wesleyan graduate.

Henry, the outside linebackers coach, has several local ties. He is a 1989 graduate of Catawba College and he worked three years at North Carolina A&T, where he served as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. Henry also had previous coaching stints at Gardner-Webb and at Bandys (NC) High School.

Lobotzke, who will coach the centers and offensive guards, served in the same capacity at Ohio from 1997-2000. During his four seasons at Ohio, the offensive line helped pave the way for four of the top five rushing seasons in school history.

McCartney, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach, worked six seasons at Ohio. As recruiting coordinator, McCartney helped raise the Bobcats' talent level significantly. A 1980 graduate of Guilford College with a Masters from North Carolina, he previously worked at two Mid-American Conference schools -- Ball State and Bowling Green.

Mitchell, the assistant head coach, will direct the Deacon running backs and kickers. At Ohio, where Mitchell coached for six seasons, his Bobcat running backs helped produce one of the nation's best rushing attacks (323 ypg. in 2000). Mitchell played at East Carolina from 1968-72, where he was a three-year starter and team MVP in 1971.

Mullen, tight ends and offensive tackles coach, worked nine seasons at Ohio, first as fullbacks coach before moving over to his current duties. Mullen was a standout player at Wittenberg (Ohio) University before embarking on his coaching career.

Sherman, who began his coaching career in North Carolina at Methodist College in 1992, will coach the Deacon receivers. Sherman worked four seasons at Ohio after previously working at VMI. He will inherit a solid corps of receivers including returning starters Ira Williams and Fabian Davis.