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 Former Catamount assistant coach Jeff Fela has returned to Cullowhee to serve as an assistant coach. |
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May 5, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head football coach Kent Briggs announced today former Catamount assistant coach Jeff Fela has returned to Cullowhee to serve as an assistant coach. Fela (pronounced FEE-luh) will serve as the tight ends coach, a position he similarly held from 1990-94 at Western when he was named Southern Conference Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year in 1992.
"Coach Fela returning to the Catamounts is a great asset to our football program, as well as the University," Briggs said. "He will not only bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience to our staff, but will be an outstanding representative of what our program stands for."
Fela spent the last three seasons (2003-05) at Troy as the Trojans' offensive line coach where he had the daunting task of rebuilding an offensive line unit in each of the last two years. However, Troy still managed to produce back-to-back 1,000-yard rushers and earn a berth in the 2004 Silicon Valley Classic Bowl. Prior to joining the Trojans' staff, Fela served as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at The Citadel.
During his career, Fela has coached more than 23 all-conference performers and more than 10 players who earned All-America honors. At Troy, a pair of Trojans earned All-Sun Belt honors and went on to play professionally - Junior Louissaint (first team/Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and Henry Jellis (second team/New York Jets). The year before, Branden Hall was honored as an All-Independent selection by the College Football News and ESPN.com and was later signed to a free-agent contract by the Detroit Lions.
Fela returned to The Citadel for his second tour of duty with the Bulldogs in 2001 after working as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Presbyterian College during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The Blue Hose enjoyed great success, averaging 36 points per game and ranking 25th nationally in total offense (over 400 yards) in 2000. Prior to that, Fela worked as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Tennessee Tech (1996-98), where five of his offensive linemen earned all-conference honors, and served in the same capacity at Western Carolina (1990-94).
While at Western Carolina, Fela was voted by his peers as the 1992 Southern Conference Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year. That year, Fela's pupil Todd Harkins, who was a three-time All-SoCon pick, earn All-American honors. Also during his tenure, Fela coached tight end Andrew Jordan, who was an All-SoCon pick and nine-year NFL veteran. During his tenure, a total of 11 All-SoCon honors were bestowed upon his position players, including Harkins, Jordan, Eric Lautzenheiser, Thomas Jackson, Wes Greenwell and Scott Stinson.
The 1992 Catamounts finished 19th in the final national poll as the WCU offense, under Fela's direction, finished 14th nationally in total offense (415.2 ypg). Also in `92, Kevin Thigpen ranked 21st in the nation in rushing, being just one of four Catamounts to end the season ranked among the nation's top 25, while Lonnie Galloway finished the season second nationally in passing efficiency (167.4 rating). The following season WCU's offense ranked 19th nationally in total offense (411.1 ypg).
Fela has also made coaching stops at William & Mary (1995), Connecticut (1989), East Carolina (1987-88), Rutgers (1981 & 1983), Colorado (1982) and Pittsburgh (1980). At Pitt, he was on the staff of the 1980 Gator Bowl team coached by former Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherill. The Panthers were ranked second nationally that season. He also worked for The Citadel as an assistant coach from 1984-86, coaching the offensive tackles and tight ends.
During his career, Fela has been a part of three conference championships, two as a coach and one as a player. One of his former pupils is Minnesota Vikings tight end Andrew Jordan, who played at Western Carolina.
A 1975 graduate of Southwestern (Kan.) College with a degree in Health and Physical Education, Fela started at split end and was named one of the team's captains during the 1974 season. He earned All-Kansas College Athletic Conference honors that year.
Born on April 13, 1951, Fela is married to the former Anita Gaebel of North Plainfield, N.J.
