JMU football staff moves

The James Madison University football program has made adjustments in its coaching staff for the 2012 season, head coach Mickey Matthews announced Monday.

After spending the last year as a defensive assistant, former JMU standout Tony LeZotte will move to fill the full-time role of assistant coach left by the departure of Maurice “Mo” Linquist to the University at Buffalo. LeZotte will be the safeties coach, the same position he was a two-time First Team All-American for the Dukes. In his career at JMU, LeZotte recorded 416 tackles, good for sixth on JMU’s all-time list, and ranks first among defensive backs. He also recorded seven interceptions, including one returned 100 yards for a touchdown, and 25 pass deflections.  His 144 tackles in 2004 were the most on the team and helped propel the Dukes to a National Championship, earning him Atlantic 10 and CollegeSportsReport.com Freshman of the Year honors. He was the league’s first four-time All-America and four-time First Team All-League player and only the second player in JMU history to be elected as a team captain for three years.

Isai Bradshaw will move to coaching the defensive line after the departure of J.C. Price to coach the defensive line at Marshall University. Bradshaw has spent the last five years at JMU and has worked with the defensive line and linebackers during his time with the Dukes. Bradshaw was a four-year letterwinner for the Dukes, playing both linebacker and defensive end from 2002-05, including on the 2004 National Championship team. As a senior, he was a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection at defensive end after taking part in 32 tackles, including nine for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks.

In addition, Offensive Coordinator Jeff Durden will return to coaching the quarterbacks as well as re-assuming the play calling duties for the JMU offense. Durden spent the last year working with the tight ends, helping Brian Barlow to Second Team All-CAA honors this past year. In his ninth year with the program, Durden has spent seven years working with quarterbacks, including working with 2008 CAA Player of the Year Rodney Landers when he set JMU’s single-season total offense records, touchdown passes and 2009 CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year and incumbent starter Justin Thorpe.

JMU will be filling the remaining slots on its football staff over the next two months.