Akron Football Adds Gibson & Lett as Assistant Coaches

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AKRON, Ohio — University of Akron head coach Tom Arth announced two additions to his football staff on Monday.

Joining the Zips are Deonte Gibson (outside linebackers) and Jamael Lett (secondary).

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

"It is very exciting for our program to be able to announce that we have hired two new coaches to our program," Arth said. "It is always a challenge when you lose great people like Shelton Felton (University of Tennessee) and Jonathan Cooley (Los Angeles Rams), but we are grateful for their service to our program and proud of the opportunity that they both now have to realize their dreams, coaching in the NFL and the SEC. Challenges always lead to incredible opportunities, and in our case, that led us to Jamael Lett and Deonte Gibson. After a thorough process of evaluating and interviewing numerous candidates, Jamael and Deonte stood apart from the others. They were clearly the two best coaches for our program and that level of conviction was shared by each member of our staff. Not only are both exceptional teachers, recruiters and coaches, they are outstanding men who will provide great leadership for the players in our program."

Gibson served as the defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois in 2019. He coached second-team All-OVC nose tackle Terrell Greer. A part of defensive staff that coached EIU to the sixth-most tackles for loss in school history (86), his defensive unit ranked No. 30 in FCS in total defense and No. 29 in FCS in team tackles for loss.

A 2015 graduate of Northwestern University, he worked as the defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2017 and 2018, helping the Wildcats to the Big Ten West Division title and two bowl appearances.

A four-year letterwinner for Northwestern (2011-16), Gibson was a third-team All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten pick. He served as a team captain as a senior and finished ranked seventh on NU's all-time sacks list. As a player, Gibson participated in two bowl games– the Gator Bowl and the Outback Bowl.

A native of Cleveland Ohio, he earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies in 2015 and a master's degree in integrated marketing communications in 2017, both from Northwestern. Gibson attended St. Edward's High School where he served as team captain of the first state championship football team in school history.

Following graduation, Gibson played professional football with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions in 2016.

"Deonte, as a Cleveland native and former state-champion football player at St. Edward HS, has a great appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of building a successful football program at the University of Akron," Arth said. "He truly understands the recruiting landscape in our region and will be able to build strong relationships with high school coaches and players in the area. Deonte has also proven himself to be an outstanding coach with an extremely bright future. Deonte started his coaching career at his alma-mater, Northwestern, and was able to learn from one of the most well-respected head coaches in America in Pat Fitzgerald. Deonte's experience coaching the defensive line will be a great fit to our staff and will translate very well to coaching our outside linebackers at a very high level. It is very exciting to welcome, Deonte and, his soon-to-be-wife (Deonte is getting married on March 17), Dominique to the University of Akron."

"I am incredibly excited to become a part of the Akron football family, while being so close to home at the same time," Gibson said. "I am looking forward to developing authentic relationships with the team and staff and continuing to help the program move in the right direction."

From Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Head Coach
"Deonté is a great teacher and coach but more importantly a great person! Deonté is a relentless recruiter who will bring the best and brightest student-athletes to the University of Akron. I've watched Deonté grow since he was in high school, and I'm so impressed with the man he has become!"

* * *

Lett served as the secondary coach at Samford University for three seasons. In 2019, Lett participated in the NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy. The 2018 team posted the program's eighth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history. In 2017, Samford went 8-4 record overall and earned a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for a second-straight season for the first time since 1992.

A former Bulldog defensive back, Lett returned to his alma mater after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Ohio University during the 2016 season where the worked with the defensive line. Lett worked with MAC Defensive Player of the Year Tarell Basham as the team earned the MAC East Division Championship.

In 2015, Lett worked as an assistant with the defensive backs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He also handled offensive scouting, opponent breakdown and tracking offensive tendencies during games. The Skyhawks ranked 24th in the nation among FCS schools in third-down conversion. Lett's defensive backs recorded 30 pass break ups and six interceptions that season. Lett also coached All-OVC defensive back Marquis Clemons.

During the 2014-15 academic year, Lett coached defensive backs and taught mathematics at Davidson High School in Mobile. At DHS, he was responsible for installing defensive coverages for the secondary, coaching and teaching secondary techniques and running the scout team offense. Lett coached two cornerbacks that went on to play NCAA Division I football.

Lett began his coaching career as defensive coordinator and math teacher at Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. At BHS, Lett was in charge of creation and execution of the defensive system and defensive play calling during games.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Lett was a four-year starter (2006-10) in the secondary as a player at Samford. He collected 110 tackles, four interceptions, 16 break-ups, and two forced fumbles as a Bulldog. He earned a bachelor's degree in sports medicine from Samford in 2011 and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Tennessee Tech in 2012.

"I have gotten to know Jamael over the past few years, coaching against him in the Southern Conference and was always very impressed by the discipline and strong fundamentals his defensive backs played with at Samford," Arth said. "In addition, I have worked with two coaches, both now in the NFL (New England Patriots and Denver Broncos), who have been on staffs with Jamael and have had nothing but the highest of praises for him as a coach and more importantly as a person. We are very excited to welcome Jamael, his wife Julia, and their two children– Madison and David– to the University of Akron.

"My family and I are excited to be part of the Akron football family," Lett said. "The staff is full of good coaches that want to help build young men."

From Justin Rascati, Denver Broncos' Offensive Assistant
"Jamael is a phenomenal person and a very talented coach. He has the ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. He is very smart, hardworking, and loyal. He is an excellent leader that I think would be a great asset to any team."

From Demarcus Covington, New England Patriots' Linebackers coach
"Jamael is a tremendously hard worker. He loves the game of football, is a good teacher and learner of the game. His passion for the game, Jesus Christ, and making kids better men is second to none. He will not only help Akron win games on the field, he will also help the players win off the field."

"Both Deonte and Jamael bring outstanding pedigrees to the University of Akron," Arth continued. "Both men played at extremely well-respected high school programs in their hometowns, graduated from high academic universities with strong traditions of success in football, and have been around great mentors and coaches who have helped prepare them for this opportunity. We are fortunate to have such qualified and well-rounded men who place a premium on leadership, education, and success. They will be outstanding additions to our staff and will contribute to our program in many ways. We are grateful that they want to be a part of what we are building at the University of Akron."

Akron, which returns 42 letterwinners, opens the 2020 season with Youngstown State on Sept. 5 at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field.

Season ticket plans are now available for purchase by texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or emailing Director of Ticket Operations Adam O'Connell at adamoco@uakron.edu.

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Football Adds Gibson & Lett as Assistant Coaches

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