Feb. 1, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head football coach Kent Briggs announced the addition of Todd Varn and Myron Jackson to his coaching staff. Varn will coach the running backs, while Jackson will coach the tight ends.
Varn spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator at Charleston Southern University, where he was the quarterbacks and running backs coach. He helped the Buccaneers establish school records for wins in 2000 and 2001, while his 2001 offensive unit averaged 374.5 yards per game and set 13 school records. Quarterback Jake Sills and receiver Brad Moultrie were named second team NCAA I-AA All-Independent. Varn also served as the recruiting coordinator for the Bucs.
Prior to his time at Charleston Southern, Varn was at Virginia Military Institute for the 1997-98 seasons. In 1998, he was linebackers and special teams coach, where he helped Andre Curtis earn All-Southern Conference honors. The previous year, he was the Keydets' defensive backs coach.
A product of Airport High School in Columbia, S.C., Varn had stints at Newberry College, Laurence Manning Academy (Manning, S.C.) and North Carolina State. At Newberry, he was running backs coach in 1995 and linebackers coach in 1996. At Laurence Manning, he was the offensive coordinator for the 1993 season. Upon completing his eligibility at North Carolina State, he spent one year as a student assistant coach with the Wolfpack.
Varn received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from N.C. State in 1992. He was a four-year letterman (1986-89) as a running back with the Wolfpack and played in three bowl games. He was recipient of the Michael J. Hardy Award from his alma mater for "displaying superior courage and performing consistently above ability." He was also N.C. State's Al Michaels Award for "placing the team before himself." After his senior season, he had a free agent tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jackson comes to Western Carolina after spending the 2001 season as a graduate assistant on the University of Connecticut staff with Coach Briggs. He worked as a tight ends and special teams assistant, while being responsible for opponent film breakdown and directing the defensive scout team. Jackson, a 1998 All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, spent the 2000 season as an the offensive and defensive line coach with the Tallahassee Thunder of the Arena Football 2 League.
Jackson is a 1998 Florida State graduate with a Bachelor of Science in physical education with a specialty in sport management. In 2001 he received his Master's degree in sport administration. The Okeechobee, Fla., native was a four-letterman as a tight end for the Seminoles. Jackson played in four bowl games, including two which determined the national championship.
In January, Briggs named former WCU player linebacker Geoff Collins defensive coordinator and Ken Matous offensive coordinator.
