BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University football head coach Eddie George has announced his first BGSU coaching staff, which includes 10 assistant coaches, an analyst, a special teams coordinator and three strength & conditioning coaches. Four coaches have been retained from the previous BGSU staff (new title): Alex Bayer (special teams coordinator), Derrick Jackson (defensive backs), Greg Nosal (offensive line) and Brian White (senior analyst/running backs).

 Joining George from Tennessee State are Joe Bowden (linebackers), Josh Crawford (running backs), Brandon Fisher (associate head coach/defensive coordinator), Richard McNutt (secondary), Travis Partridge (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) and Clyde Simmons (defensive line).

Also joining the staff is former Tennessee Tech head coach Dewayne Alexander (assistant head coach/tight ends), who spent the 2024 season at the University of the South as the offensive line and tight ends coach. Bruce Johnson (wide receivers), who has coached in the Big Ten and SEC, most recently served as the wide receivers coach at Central Connecticut State. Both Alexander and Johnson had previously joined George's TSU staff last month.

"We have assembled a top-tier coaching staff, and I couldn't be more confident in the group we've put together," said George. "These 12 individuals bring not only exceptional football knowledge but also a deep commitment to developing our student-athletes—on the field, in the classroom, and as leaders in the community. This is the foundation for something special at Bowling Green, and I'm excited for what's ahead."

The seasoned staff that George has assembled boasts a combined 240 years of coaching experience, averaging 20 years per coach.

Bowden, Crawford, Fisher, McNutt, Partridge and Simmons were part of George's staff at Tennessee State, where they helped turn the program around, highlighted by a landmark 2024 season. TSU finished with a 9-3 regular-season record, the program's most wins since 2013, and achieved a No. 19 national ranking, its highest in seven years. In 2024, TSU shared the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference championship and earned an appearance in the NCAA Division I Football Championship.

Alexander has 37 years of coaching experience at the high school and college levels, including serving as head coach at Tennessee Tech from 2018-23. Johnson, meanwhile, boasts 27 years of experience across high school, junior college, FCS, Group of Five, and Power Four FBS programs. Alexander and Johnson were both set to join George in Nashville last month but will now transition with him to BGSU.

Bayer and White have spent three seasons at Bowling Green, coinciding with BGSU's three-year active bowl streak. Jackson joined the Falcons in 2023 and has been part of two BGSU bowl teams. The Falcons are one of four MAC schools with an active bowl streak of three or more years. The other three—Toledo, Miami (OH), and Ohio—have won each of the last three MAC championships.

Additionally, head football strength & conditioning coach Chris Fenelon, who was announced in January, has since added to his staff with the hiring of C.J. McFarland as associate football strength & conditioning coach and Ed Sykes as assistant football strength & conditioning coach. McFarland joins Fenelon from Temple where he worked under Fenelon, while Sykes was most recently at UMass.

Bowling Green Coaching Staff Bios (in alphabetical order)

Dewayne Alexander – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends
Dewayne Alexander brings 37 years of coaching experience at both the high school and college levels, including serving as head coach at Tennessee Tech from 2018-23. While at Tech, he led the program through multiple challenges, including a tornado that struck the community, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sudden passing of a coach. In 2019, his team finished 6-6, marking one of the best turnarounds in FCS that season, setting several school offensive records.

Before his tenure at Tech, Alexander was head coach at Cumberland University (2006-12), compiling a 41-33 record and earning NAIA Region I Coach of the Year honors in 2010. He also served as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech, East Tennessee State, and Sewanee, working with offensive lines and coordinating run games. A former player at Tennessee Tech, he has been heavily involved with the American Football Coaches Association and various sportsmanship committees.

Alexander's coaching journey began at Hendersonville High School in 1988, and he has since coached at multiple levels, mentoring numerous all-conference and All-American players. He holds a bachelor's in political science and a master's in instructional leadership from Tennessee Tech. He and his wife, Angela, have four children.

Alex Bayer – Special Teams Coordinator 
Alex Bayer, a 2013 BGSU alum, returned in 2022 as special teams coordinator and began coaching tight ends in 2023. A nominee for the Broyles Award in 2024 after coaching BGSU's first unanimous All-American Harold Fannin Jr. at the tight end position. Also, as the special teams coordinator punter he led a unit that saw John Henderson named a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. Also, BGSU is No. 3 in the nation since the start of 2022 in blocked punts (9).

His first season coaching tight ends was a success, as Harold Fannin Jr. earned first-team All-MAC honors and finished among the top tight ends in the nation in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions.

Before returning to BGSU, Bayer was special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Valparaiso, where his unit led the nation in blocked kicks in 2021. He also served as a special teams analyst at Wake Forest, where he helped develop Lou Groza Award semifinalist Nick Sciba.

A former BGSU standout tight end, Bayer finished his collegiate career with 115 receptions, 1,543 yards, and 10 touchdowns, helping the Falcons win the 2013 MAC Championship. He played professionally with the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers before transitioning into coaching. Bayer and his wife, Molly, have two sons, Briggs and Brody.

Joe Bowden – Assistant Coach (Linebackers) 
Joe Bowden spent the last four years at Tennessee State as associate head coach and linebackers coach, mentoring multiple all-conference players and overseeing one of the OVC's top-ranked pass defenses. Under his leadership, Sander Ellis earned Freshman All-American honors in 2024 and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award.
Before TSU, Bowden was defensive coordinator at Missouri Baptist University and spent several years in the NFL, coaching for the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams. He also had stints at Central Oklahoma and multiple high schools. His coaching career began with NFL Europe and as a defensive intern with the Washington Redskins.

A former standout linebacker at Oklahoma, Bowden played nine seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. He earned Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1991 and holds degrees from Alcorn State University.

Josh Crawford – Assistant Coach (Running Backs)
Josh Crawford spent two years as the running backs coach at Tennessee State, which was his second stint with the Tigers. Before joining Tennessee State, he was an offensive graduate assistant at Utah, where he worked with wide receivers and contributed to the Utes' 2022 Pac-12 Championship season.

Crawford also served as a graduate assistant at Tennessee State, working with linebackers and coaching all-conference selection James Green. His coaching experience includes time at the Orleans Darkwa Youth Football Camp and four seasons at Autauga Academy in Alabama, where he helped develop quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs.

A Vanderbilt graduate, Crawford played four years of football and helped the Commodores reach the Independence Bowl (2016) and Texas Bowl (2018). In high school, he was a three-time all-state selection and played multiple positions, including running back, quarterback, and defensive back.

Brandon Fisher – Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 
Brandon Fisher spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tennessee State, helping lead the Tigers to a 9-4 record, a conference championship, and an FCS Playoff berth in 2024. His defenses consistently ranked among the top in the Big South-OVC, including the top pass defense all four seasons. He also recruited and developed 2023 Buck Buchanan Award winner Terrell Allen.

Before TSU, Fisher was a defensive analyst at Auburn and the defensive coordinator at Southern Utah, where he dramatically improved the team's defensive rankings. He spent eight years in the NFL, including stints as a secondary coach for the Rams and assistant roles with the Titans and Lions.

A former linebacker at Montana, Fisher played in two FCS Championship games before earning a degree in business administration. He is the son of longtime NFL head coach Jeff Fisher.

Derrick Jackson – Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
Derrick Jackson joined BGSU's staff in 2023 as secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator. His first season saw immediate success, with the Falcons leading the nation in takeaways (28) and finishing fourth in interceptions (17). Under his leadership, multiple defensive backs earned All-MAC honors.

A 25-year coaching veteran, Jackson has held roles at Northern Illinois, Purdue, Wake Forest, Michigan State, and Syracuse. At NIU, he was associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and safeties coach, helping the Huskies win the 2021 MAC Championship. At Purdue, his defenses ranked among the top 30 nationally in scoring and rushing defense.

Jackson played defensive back at Duke, starting 40 consecutive games and earning team honors as the most outstanding defensive back. He and his wife, Renae, are parents to twins, Alana and Dakota.

Bruce Johnson – Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
Bruce Johnson arrives at BGSU after helping Central Connecticut State win the 2024 NEC title as wide receivers coach. He brings 27 years of experience at the high school, junior college, FCS, and FBS levels, including Power Four programs. In 2023, he served as Indiana's director of college scouting and assisted the defensive staff.

Johnson spent four seasons at Liberty (2019-22), coaching running backs and helping the program reach four bowl games. He previously worked under Hugh Freeze at both Liberty and Ole Miss, holding various roles, including recruiting and offensive quality control, contributing to three consecutive top 10 recruiting classes at Ole Miss.

Before joining Freeze, Johnson coached at Jackson State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama State, and San Diego. He played fullback at Arizona and Norfolk State before earning his degree from Arizona State. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children.

Richard McNutt – Assistant Coach (Secondary)
Richard McNutt spent four seasons at Tennessee State under head coach Eddie George. A veteran coach with 21 years of experience, he has worked at the NFL, FBS, FCS, and Division III levels, including stints at MAC schools NIU, Toledo, Kent State, in addition to Ohio State. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, assisting with safeties and defensive backs during their 2008 season, when they ranked second in the NFL in interceptions.

McNutt played for Ohio State's 2002 National Championship team, starting at cornerback before an injury sidelined him. He later served as a student assistant with the Buckeyes, helping coach cornerbacks and special teams. His coaching career includes notable stops at Northern Illinois, NC State and Kent State, where he helped lead defenses ranked among the best in their respective conferences.

Originally from Chicago, McNutt played high school football at Rich East High School and was ranked among the top five cornerback prospects in the country. He has two sons, Devon and Trey, and two daughters, Nya and Leyla.

Greg Nosal – Assistant Coach (Offensive Line)
Greg Nosal joined Bowling Green's staff in 2020 as the running backs coach before transitioning to tight ends in 2021. He was elevated to co-offensive coordinator in 2022 and took over the offensive line while serving as run game coordinator in 2023.

During his first year coaching tight ends, Christian Sims earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2021, leading the league's tight ends in receptions and yards. Before coming to BGSU, Nosal spent time at Virginia Tech, Miami, and East Carolina, where he played a key role in developing offensive linemen.

A former Virginia Tech standout, Nosal was a two-year starter at left guard and part of three ACC championship teams. He earned Virginia Tech's Offensive Lineman of the Year award in 2010 and received All-ACC honorable mention honors in 2011.

Nosal holds both a bachelor's and master's degree from Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Cheyenne, married in 2022 and have one son, Tripp.

Travis Partridge – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 
Travis Partridge was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State in 2024, leading an offense that saw Draylen Ellis rank 11th nationally in passing yards. He previously spent two seasons at UT Martin, helping develop All-OVC quarterback Dresser Winn and coaching one of the conference's top passing offenses.

Partridge also worked at Kansas as interim quarterbacks coach in 2021 and was an offensive quality control coach from 2019-20. His coaching career began at Delta State in 2017 after a professional playing career with the Minnesota Vikings, BC Lions, and Iowa Barnstormers.

A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, he played for his father, Jerry Partridge, at Missouri Western State, setting multiple school passing records. He earned All-American honors and holds a degree in physical education.

Clyde Simmons – Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
Clyde Simmons spent the last four years as Tennessee State's defensive line coach, mentoring top players like 2023 Buck Buchanan Award winner Terrell Allen. Under his leadership, the TSU defensive line consistently ranked among the best in the Big South-OVC, with Eriq George earning all-conference honors in 2024.

A 15-year NFL veteran, Simmons was a two-time All-Pro defensive end with the Eagles and played for multiple teams, including the Cardinals, Jaguars, Bengals, and Bears. His coaching career has spanned high school, college, and the NFL, including stints with the Rams, Browns, and Chiefs.

Simmons' experience as a player and coach has shaped his ability to develop top-tier defensive talent. The 2025 season marks his 17th year as a coach.

Brian White – Senior Analyst/Running Backs
Brian White joined Bowling Green in 2022 as the running backs coach, bringing decades of experience developing elite talent. 

In 2023, White coached Terion Stewart to second-team All-MAC honors despite missing four games due to injury. Stewart ranked among the nation's best in broken tackles and yards after contact. White also helped Ta'ron Keith become the first player in BGSU history to record 100 rushing and 100 receiving yards in the same game.

White's resume includes an 11-year stint at Wisconsin, where he coached Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, first-round NFL pick Michael Bennett, and multiple All-Big Ten backs. He has also made stops at Boston College, Florida, and Notre Dame, coaching in 20 bowl games throughout his career.

A former Harvard quarterback, White earned degrees from Fordham and Notre Dame. He and his wife, Salli, have two children, Cassidy and Jackson. His son Jackson is the special teams coordinator at Marshall. 

Before Temple, Fenelon spent three years on Ohio State's strength staff, helping the Buckeyes win two Big Ten Championships and reach the College Football Playoff twice. He previously spent three years at Iowa State, where he contributed to the program's resurgence under Matt Campbell. Fenelon began his career with the New York Jets and the University of Toledo before earning his master's in exercise science from East Stroudsburg University. He played college football at Stony Brook, where he was a three-year letterwinner.

Fenelon and his wife, Sara, have two children, Julius and Camille.

C.J. McFarland – Associate Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
C.J. McFarland joined Bowling Green in January as an associate strength and conditioning coach after spending a season at Temple also working under Chris Fenelon. He previously worked at LSU and spent six years at Onnit Gym in Austin, training NFL athletes such as Earl Thomas, Baker Mayfield and Cole Beasley.
While training Mayfield, McFarland helped him drop body fat, add muscle, and improve strength, leading to one of the quarterback's best professional seasons. He has also completed coaching internships with the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers.

McFarland holds certifications from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and specializes in advanced recovery and performance techniques.
Raised by Marine Corps Drill Instructors, McFarland lives with his wife, Megan, and their dogs, Tuxedo and Stormy.

Ed Sykes – Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
Ed Sykes joined Bowling Green's strength and conditioning staff under Chris Fenelon after three years as an assistant strength coach at UMass. In addition to working with football, he serves as the head strength coach for the men's soccer program.

Before UMass, Sykes was a graduate assistant at Campbell University, assisting with football and wrestling. He also interned at Ohio State and Florida, where he was promoted to head strength and conditioning intern. During his time with the Gators, they won the SEC East and reached the SEC Championship Game. A native of Chichester, Pa., Sykes earned his bachelor's degree from Lock Haven University, where he developed strength programs for the baseball and women's volleyball teams.