DeLane Fitzgerald is the head football coach for Southern Virginia University.
He was hired as an assistant coach in 2006 and assumed the role of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2007. Fitzgerald was the special teams coordinator and secondary coach in 2006.
In his first season as offensive coordinator, Fitzgerald led the offense to its most productive season in program history. Southern Virginia’s offense set every single-game and season school record for yards gained (rushing, passing and total) and points scored in 2007. The Knights finished seventh in the NAIA in total offense (474.30 yards per game) and 16th in scoring (31.70 points per game) in 2007.
Prior to coming to SVU, Fitzgerald served as the offensive coordinator at Bethel College during the 2005 season. Bethel is an NAIA school that plays in the Mid-South Conference Western Division. The Wildcats finished the 2005 season 7-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play, winning the Western Division.
Fitzgerald’s offense was a big part of Bethel’s success in 2005. The Wildcats finished the season ranked fourth in the NAIA in total offense (453.8 yards per game), third in rushing offense (272.8 yards per game), seventh in pass efficiency rating (140.2) and 10th in third-down conversion percentage (43.1 percent).
In all, Bethel totaled 3,001 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground and 1,991 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air. Fitzgerald coached two 1,000-yard rushers in 2005 who averaged over 6.3 yards per carry.
Fitzgerald’s first coaching job was as the defensive coordinator at Bridgton Academy, a college preparatory school in North Bridgton, Maine. He then served as the defensive line coach at James Madison, his alma mater, in 2002. Following his stint with the Dukes, Fitzgerald was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at University of Tennessee at Martin from 2003-2004.
Fitzgerald’s collegiate playing career began at Potomac State Junior College where he played quarterback and wide receiver. He was a two-year starter and a captain in 1996, his sophomore season. That year Fitzgerald earned the James “Horse” Lough Award for leadership.
After finishing at Potomac, Fitzgerald completed his eligibility at James Madison. After redshirting in 1997, he was a two-year starter in 1998 and 1999 at running back. Fitzgerald earned first-team Academic All-Atlantic 10 honors both seasons and in 1999 was a game captain and helped the Dukes capture the Atlantic 10 conference championship with an 8-4 record. That season James Madison defeated Connecticut and South Florida, teams that made the jump from NCAA Division I-AA to Division I-A the next season.
Fitzgerald graduated from James Madison in December of 1999 with a bachelor’s of science degree with a major in kinesiology and a minor in coaching.
Contact Information:
Football Office
Southern Virginia University
One University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Arena
540-261-4244 office
540-261-8434 fax
delane.fitzgerald@svu.edu
Clint DuBose serves as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach of the Southern Virginia football team. He joined the coaching staff in 2004 as the defensive line coach and was made the defensive coordinator before the 2005 season.
DuBose helped the Knights improve from 1-9 in 2004 to 4-5 in 2005 thanks to a defensive unit that improved under his guidance. In 2006 the Knight defense held opponents to 171 yards passing per game and forced 25 turnovers. In 2007 DuBose helped the Knights earn their first winning season.
DuBose came to Southern Virginia with several years of coaching experience. From 2002-03, he served as an assistant at Texas A&M University Commerce. In 2002, he coached the linebackers and in 2003, he coached the defensive backs. In 2001, along with serving as a student assistant at A&M Commerce, he was an offensive assistant coach and the head powerlifting coach at Brady High School in Brady, Texas.
Prior to coaching, DuBose enjoyed a successful playing career. He lettered three years at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., playing outside linebacker and strong safety. At Grapeland High School in Grapeland, Texas, he was a two-time 2A first-team all-state performer.
DuBose received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sports studies at Texas A&M Commerce. He also earned a masters of science in health, kinesiology and sports studies at Texas A&M Commerce. A native of Grapeland, Texas, DuBose and his wife Maria reside in Buena Vista.
Tyler Anderson, who joined the Southern Virginia staff in 2008,
serves as an assistant football coach, the director of athlete
retention and the head men’s and women’s track
coach.
Prior to coming to Southern Virginia Anderson was the head coach
at Harmony High School in Harmony, Florida.
In 2007 Anderson took Harmony High to the regional finals.
Anderson began coaching at Harmony in 2004.
Prior to coaching at Harmony Anderson was the head coach at Tooele
High School in Tooele, Utah, from 2000-2003. In 2002 he guided the
Buffalo to the 3A Utah State title game where Tooele defeated
Wasatch High School.
While at Harmony and Tooele Anderson also taught physical
education, health and weight lifting and instituted study halls for
the football team.
From 1998-2000 Anderson was the receivers coach at Southern Utah
University and from 1996-1998 he was an assistant coach at Orem
High School. Anderson was also an assistant track coach at Orem and
Tooele High Schools.
Anderson graduated from BYU in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in physical education. He played football for the Cougars
from 1991-1993 as a receiver and kick returner. For his career
Anderson totaled 53 receptions for 1,020 yards (19.5 yards per
reception) and scored 12 touchdowns. In the 1991 Holiday Bowl
Anderson caught a touchdown pass from Heisman Trophy winner Ty
Detmer.
Anderson’s best season was in 1993 when he had 25 receptions
for 410 yards, had 683 kickoff return yards and scored six
touchdowns. That season BYU tied for the WAC title and played Ohio
State in the Holiday Bowl where Anderson returned five kicks for
145 yards.
Prior to playing at BYU Anderson starred at Orem High School where
he earned all-state honors and helped the Tigers win the state
title in 1987. Anderson also ran track at Orem High and at BYU. At
Orem he was a state champion in the 400 meters and at one time held
the state records in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Anderson served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Anderson and his wife
Erika have five children, Duce, Jett, Avery, Josie and Tee.
Rad Patterson is entering his first year at Southern Virginia as
the Defensive Backs Coach. Prior to Southern Virginia he was
the Head Coach at Parry McCluer High School from 2004-2008.
He was also an Assistant Coach at Parry McCluer from
1990-2003. Rad was a successful Defensive Back at Bridgewater
College. He also was a first team All-State selection and led
his high school to a state title in 1983.
Rad graduated with a BS in Health and Physical Education for
Bridgewater and from James Madison with a MS in Education.
His wife is Angie and they have three children; Conrad, Katy, and
Maggie.
Anthony Buchanan begins his first season as the Defensive Line
coach for the Knights. He joins the team after serving as the
Defensive Line/Pro Liaison coach at Johnson C. Smith University for
three years. While at working at JCSU, he had the pleasure of
tutoring one of the most household names in Golden Bulls history CB
De'Audre Dix. Dix garnered numerous accolades but most notable were
his two time first All-CIAA on both offense and defense honors,
2007 CIAA Special Teams Player of the year, and 2007 AFCA
All-American. Dix is currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes
of the Canadian Football League. Prior to his stint at Johnson C.
Smith University, he was the Tight Ends Coach at Tennessee Tech
University for two years. Before moving onto to Tennessee Tech
University, he was an assistant at Scottsdale Community College
where he was Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator and coordinated the
Strength & Conditioning program over football.
While at Scottsdale, Tight End Toussaint Henderson was named first
team all-ACCAC, first team WSFL and first team All-American.
Buchanan started his coaching career at his alma mater, Wingate
University, during the spring of 1999 working with the defensive
line, linebackers and special teams. He was at Wingate through the
spring of 2001. He handled multiple duties there including
recruiting for North Carolina, South Carolina and North
Georgia.
While an undergraduate at Wingate, Buchanan was a two year starter
for the 1997 & 1998 seasons as defensive tackle/rush end where
he was third on the team in quarterback hurries. Prior to that, his
playing days were for Phoenix College for the 1995 & 1996
seasons, where he was third on the team in quarterback sacks.
Originally born & raised in Seattle, WA., he received his
bachelors degree in liberal studies in December of 2000 from
Wingate University and then his master's of arts in instructional
leadership (summa cum laude) from Tennessee Tech University in May
of 2006. Buchanan and his wife, Debbie, have four children; Calvin,
Michael, Maleah, and Zion.
Ben Burningham, a native of Richmond, Utah, started on SVU's inaugural 2003 team. In 2004 - 2006 he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints in Maracaibo, Venezuela and Santiago Chile. Following his mission, Burningham completed his playing career at SVU, serving as team captain as both a junior and senior. In his senior year he was named First-Team All-Conference, SVU's Offensive Player of the Year, SVU Senior Male Athlete of the Year and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District. Burningham also represented SVU in the 3rd annual College Fanz Sports Network Senior Classic.
Burningham is completing his degree in politics this fall and plans to attend law school in 2010. His wife Holly ran cross-country and track for SVU and is currently serving as Assistant Cross-Country Coach.
Cody Caputo is entering his first year on the staff at Southern
Virginia. He was a successful cornerback at Weber State and
at Dixie College. He led his high school team to a state
championship. He received his BS degree from Weber State in
2008.
Patrick Arrington starts his first season on the SVU football
staff as an assistant running backs coach.
Arrington first came onto the program in 2006 as a left guard but
was soon moved to the center position. He saw action in quite a bit
of games.
Arrington is now married to the former Aubrey Fike.
Corey Hall is entering his second year as the Tight Ends Coach
for Southern Virginia Football. Hall is a Rockbridge County local
who played football at Rockbridge County High School. He went on to
play collegiately at Ferrum where he played long snapper for the
Panthers. Hall is married to his wife Heather and they have a
daughter, Makayla.
Luke Taylor returns to SVU to Coach the Quarterbacks after starting for the Knights the last two seasons. He brings a great knowledge of the offense and what is expected of each individual that plays for SVU. As a player Coach Taylor holds every passing record in school history and is tied for most rushing touchdowns in a game. At the close of his senior year he received First Team All-Conference honors and Offensive player of the year.
Coach Taylor has been married to his wife Nicole for four years and they are expecting their first child this fall. Coach Taylor graduated from SVU last spring and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Leadership. He also served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Spokane, Washington.
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