Akron Football Adds Assistant Coaches, Staff

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AKRON, Ohio — University of Akron head coach Tom Arth announced nine members of his football staff on Wednesday.

Joining the Zips are Matt Feeney (defensive coordinator), Scott Aligo (player personnel), Brian Cochran (defensive line), Chris Cook (tight ends/offensive tackles), Shelton Felton (inside linebackers), Chris Hurd (special teams coordinator), Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. (secondary), and Tommy Zagorski (offensive line).

The hirings are pending approval by the University's Board of Trustees.

Additionally, Arth will retain Ben Murphy, director of football operations.

"We are proud to announce the hiring of the majority of our coaching staff," Arth said. "This is a great group who will not only be able to teach, lead, and recruit our student-athletes at the highest level, but will also be outstanding representatives of the University of Akron and excellent role models for each member of our program. We are all excited and motivated by the challenges ahead and look forward to our team returning to campus and beginning our preparations for the 2019 season."

Feeney, Aligo, Cook, Hurd, and Rodriguez followed Arth from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after two seasons.

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[full bios are available on www.GoZips.com]

Feeney served as the Mocs' defensive coordinator in 2018 after coaching the linebackers in 2017. In 2017, Feeney helped lead a UTC defensive side that was No. 1 in the Southern Conference and No. 25 in the FCS in total defense (326.4). Prior to joining Chattanooga's program, he spent three seasons on Arth's staff at John Carroll University.

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Prior to joining Chattanooga's program, Aligo spent the 2016 season on Arth's staff at John Carroll University. Aligo more than seven years of NFL player personnel experience, serving as a player personnel assistant the Kansas City Chiefs (2005-09) and a personnel associate the Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

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Cochran served as the defensive line coach at Kent State in 2018. He held the same position at Chattanooga in 2017. The Mocs led the Southern Conference in total defense allowing just 326.4 yards per game and 309.6 yards per contest in conference games. Chattanooga also led the SoCon in pass defense and ranked second in first downs allowed.

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Cook served as the Mocs' tight ends/tackles coach. He added recruiting coordinator to his duties in 2018. A former UTC All-American, Cook helped TE Bailey Lenior to All-Southern Conference recognition in 2017. Cook returned to his alma mater UTC after serving as the offensive quality control coordinator and assisting with the offensive line at East Carolina University.

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Felton served as the quality control analyst at Tennessee in 2018. He was previously the outside linebackers coach for Chattanooga for two seasons. He was elevated to assistant head coach following the 2017 season. Felton helped guide UTC to the No. 1 defense in the Southern Conference. The Mocs were also No. 25 in the FCS in total defense (326.4 yds/game).

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Hurd was the Mocs' special teams coordinator and running backs coach for two seasons. He helped freshman Brandon Dowdell lead the SoCon and finish No. 6 in the FCS with 12.6 yards per punt return. Hurd coached three seasons as the special teams coordinator and tight ends at Florida Atlantic and has also worked at Arkansas and Tennessee.

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Rodriguez served as the Mocs' linebackers coach in 2018. Previously, Rodriguez was the defensive coordinator for three seasons at the University of La Verne (Calif.) where he was the 2017 NCAA Division III AFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year.

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Zagorski served as the assistant head coach/OC/TE/OT at Eastern Kentucky for three seasons (2016-18). Zagorski joined the EKU staff in January 2016 as the tight ends and offensive tackles coach. He was elevated to assistant head coach in April of 2017. Prior to his season with the Vols (2015), Zagorski spent seven seasons working in a variety of roles at John Carroll University from 2010 to 2014.

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Akron, which returns 51 letterwinners, opens the 2019 season at Illinois on August 31. The home opener is slated for Sept. 7 against UAB.

Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—can be purchased now to lock in the 2018 pricing for the 2019 season, starting at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

The University of Akron Athletics

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