SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Frank Wilson announced Thursday that he has hired Ricky Brumfield as special teams coordinator.
“We interviewed Ricky while I was at LSU and felt that he did a tremendous job of communicating his vision," Wilson said. "He is a veteran and proven special teams coordinator. Ricky has earned his stripes in this profession, and to be able to add a special teams coordinator who is familiar with our conference opponents is something that I am excited about. One of the reasons Western Kentucky won our conference in 2015 was due to productive and efficient special teams play. Ricky is going to play an important role in our success here at UTSA and his leadership, attention to detail and recruiting approach will be huge components to our success.”
Brumfield comes to UTSA from Western Kentucky, where he spent three seasons as special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He helped the Hilltoppers to a combined 28 victories, including a pair of bowl wins, during his tenure.
“I am both enthusiastic and appreciative for the opportunity to work with Coach Wilson," Brumfield said. "Coach Wilson is a man that I have admired and respected for many years. I am eager to join this new staff at UTSA and continue to build this program. My family will soon call the beautiful city of San Antonio home and I know we will love it.”
In 2015, WKU won the Conference USA title and capped off a 12-2 season with a 45-35 victory against USF in the Miami Beach Bowl, while finishing the season with a No. 24 final ranking. Garrett Schwettman, the school's career record holder for points, extra points and field goals, earned first-team all-conference honors, while kick returner Kylen Towner made the second team and cornerback Prince Charles Iworah and long snapper Nolan Dowling were named honorable mention.
In his first two seasons with the Hilltoppers, the defense and special teams were among the conference's best in nearly every major statistical category. He tutored five all all-conference performers, including cornerbacks Wonderful Terry and Cam Thomas, who is with the Buffalo Bills.
In 2013, WKU led the Sun Belt Conference and finished 14th nationally in total defense, while also leading the league in interceptions (14), team pass efficiency defense and fewest passing yards allowed. Additionally, his kick and punt coverage units were tops in the conference.
Brumfield was the special teams coordinator and safeties coach at Nicholls State, in 2011-12. His impact on the Colonels' special teams was felt immediately, as they blocked six kicks and ranked 14th in the Football Championship Subdivision in kick return average, while punter Cory Kemps finished sixth nationally with a 42.8 average in 2011.
The New Orleans native got his coaching start in 2001 at Union College, where he oversaw special teams and wide receivers for three seasons.
Brumfield served as special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at Fairmont State in 2004-10. He helped the Fighting Falcons rank among the nation's best in special teams categories by the end of his tenure, including the third-best kick return average in 2009.
In his final season with the Fighting Falcons, his special teams units blocked five kicks, forced two turnovers and had a pair of touchdowns. Three of his players earned all-conference accolades, including kick returner Zack Page, who set Division II career records for kick returns, kick return yardage and combined return yards. One of his receivers, Perry Baker, was one of a handful non-Division I players to be selected to play in the 2010 East-West Shrine Game.
During his time at Fairmont State, Brumfield spent five summers assisting with various NFL teams. He tutored wide receivers and special teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007-09 and also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers.
Brumfield was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter at wide receiver at Utah State. He helped the Aggies to a pair of Big West Conference Championships and a berth in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl.
Brumfield earned his bachelor's degree from Utah State in 1999 and his master's degree from Union in 2003.
He and his wife, Erin, have four children, Kyan, McKel, Tacy and Asher.