March 6, 2003
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head coach Kent Briggs announced today a number of changes to his staff. First, Cary Godette has accepted a job as defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals and Matt Rhule, the Catamounts' special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, will fill Godette's spot as assistant head coach. Also, Todd Varn will become offensive coordinator for the 2003 season, effective immediately.
With the new appointments, Myron Jackson, who coached tight ends for Western last season, will be the new defensive line coach, while Ken Matous will continue to be the team's wide receivers coach. Briggs will immediately begin his search to fill a coaching position left open with Godette's departure.
ÒI have mixed emotions with the departure of Cary (Godette),Ó Briggs said. ÒAs head coach of the Catamounts, I am sad. He will be a big loss to our program because of all the positive things he has done for us. At the same time, as a friend, I am excited for him and his opportunity to return to the NFL. As for Cary's replacement as assistant head coach, Matt (Rhule) has proven that he can and will handle this added responsibility well, which will involve serving as a representative for the program at official functions as well as taking on administrative duties.Ó
Briggs added, ÒI have a tremendous amount of confidence in Todd Varn and his ability to be our offensive coordinator.Ó
Godette made an immediate impact in his one season at Western. Defensive ends Michale Spicer and Nick McNeil each earned All-SoCon honors in 2002. Spicer, who added All-American honors, set a WCU record for tackles for losses with 26, while ranking among the NCAA leaders in TFLs and sacks (11). McNeil tallied 77 tackles on the season to rank second on the team and tied for the SoCon lead with five fumble recoveries.
Varn, a successful running back while at North Carolina State during Briggs' tenure as an assistant with the Wolfpack, is in his second season with the Catamounts. This past season, Varn helped Manny DeShauteurs earn SoCon Player of the Week honors as he rushed for a career-high 163 yards and accounted for 222 all-purpose yards in leading Western Carolina to a 45-28 win over Chattanooga on Oct. 26. DeShauteurs carried 23 times for a 7.1 average and also caught two passes for 59 yards. He scored twice, on a 42-yard run and on a 50-yard pass reception. DeShauteurs ended the season ranked seventh among the SoCon rushing leaders with his 60.6 average.
Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Varn spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at Charleston Southern University, where he was the quarterbacks and running back coach as well as the recruiting coordinator. He helped the Buccaneers establish school records for wins in 2000 and 2001, while his 2001 offensive unit averaged 374.5 yards per game. Quarterback Jake Sills and receiver Brad Moultrie were named second team NCAA I-AA All-Independent under Varn's direction.
This past season, Western led the Southern Conference in passing under Matous' leadership for just the fifth time ever and the first since 1982. Quarterbacks Pat Cilento (1,636) and Brian Gaither (1,031) each threw for over 1,000 yards, while the team averaged 243.5 passing yards per game to rank 25th nationally. Overall, Western averaged 370.5 yards of total offense, only seven yards off its pace from the previous year, while its passing average went up over 73 yards per game.
Western Carolina will begin work for the 2003 season when Spring drills begin on March 17. The team will continue Spring practice until April 12, when the team plays the annual Purple-Gold Game at a time to be determined.
