L. Levon Kirkland will assume the position of defensive coordinator

L. Levon Kirkland will assume the position of defensive coordinator and linebackers’
coach. The Lamar, S.C. native played at Clemson University where he was a standout drafted in the second round of the 1992 draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL
beginning with nine years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one each with the Seattle
Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. Known for his outstanding play, he was named
NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 1996. His 6’2” frame and 275 pound size was complemented by blazing speed that he used to cover sideline-to-sideline. Holmes and
Kirkland met as teammates after Holmes was drafted in 1996. He became a starter in
1993, replacing David Little an NFL Pro Bowler himself. In 1997, he made his second consecutive NFL Pro Bowl after making 126 tackles of the season. Kirkland was
named to the Clemson University All-Centennial team and inducted into the school’s
hall of fame in 2001. After retiring from the NFL, he returned to Clemson to earn
his sociology degree in 2004. He has worked with Clemson University coordinating
minority recruitment in university admissions. He also worked as linebacker coach
at Woodmont High School until he was named head football coach at Shannon Forest
Christian School in Greenville, S.C. Kirkland’s accolades include 1,029 total tackles
(NFL), 19.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles, NFL Pro Bowl (1996,1997),
NFL All-Pro (1996, 1997), NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year (1997), Pittsburgh
Steelers MVP (1998,1999) and NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
Corey Fuller is a Rickards High School graduate and probably one of the most
high profile athletes to hail from Tallahassee. He was a standout defensive back
for Bobby Bowden at FSU. He played 10 years in the NFL after being drafted in
the second round of the 1995 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He also played
time at the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Fuller returned to Tallahassee as an assistant coach at Rickards High School. He accepted a tough head
coaching position at East Gadsden High School and has turned the struggling
program into a contender. Known as one of the toughest players in the NFL,
he now has grown to one of the most compassionate coaches in the state. The
players at East Gadsden have taken to his concept and grown into a winning program. Fuller will assume the duties as cornerbacks coach. This will be the first
time in recent history that the defensive backfield will have both a cornerback
and a safeties coach.
Elijah Williams will take over duties as the running backs’ coach. He is a native of
Milton, Fla., where he was a standout running back for Milton High School. He was a
star running back for the University of Florida (UF) Gators from 1994-1997. During
his career at Florida, the Gators won the 1994, 1995 and 1996 SEC football championships. They defeated Florida State University 52-20 in 1996 for the NCAA football
national championship. After his NFL career ended, he returned to UF to earn his
bachelor’s degree in health science education. Williams was a sixth-round pick in
1998, where he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons to play running back, defensive back
and special teams. He played for the Falcons from 1998-2001. After retiring from the
NFL, he became a high school football coach. He recently served as the head football
coach at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Fla.
Edwin Pata returns to the FAMU coaching staff after spending the past two
years as an offensive graduate assistant coach (offensive line) at Florida International University (FIU). He was a graduate assistant for tight ends under Joe
Taylor at FAMU, before returning to FIU, where he began his college career. After his first year of football at FIU, he transferred to Florida State University
(FSU) to complete his playing career and education. Upon graduating from
FSU, he came to Florida A&M to earn his master’s degree in sports management. He is a graduate of North Miami High School, where he was an outstanding tight
end. In his spare time, he works with the Bryan Pata Foundation, which he started for, and in the name of his slain brother. Every year the foundation provides
food and services for those in need, in South Florida and Haiti.
Ernie Mills comes to the Rattler squad as a receivers’ coach. Mills was a standout
receiver for the Florida Gators before being drafted in 1991 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in Pittsburgh with Holmes until 1996. In 1997 he played one season with
the Carolina Panthers, before playing with the Dallas Cowboys in 1998 and 1999. He
helped the Steelers get a birth in Super Bowl XXX with 39 passes for 679 yards. Mills
spent nine years in the NFL. Mills was a first-team All-SEC selection and team captain
of the 9-2 in 1990. He played under both Galen Hall and Steve Spurrier in his time at
the University of Fl orida. He acquired his bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise sciene from UF in 1990. He comes to the FAMU staff from Jacksonville University where
he was the receivers’ coach and special team returner coach. Under his direction at
JU, the Dolphins saw the ascension of three receivers to the 1,00 yard mark. HE also
coached JU returners to set school records while there.
Chris Cash comes to the Rattler coaching staff with a wealth of experience. He
will be coaching the Rattler safeties. He is a native of Stockton, Calif., where he
played football at Franklin High School before being recruited to play for the
USC Trojans. He went on to earn second team All-Pac 10, and was drafted in
the sixth round to the Detroit Lions. He had a stellar rookie season in the NFL,
where he collected 100 tackles in just 12 games in 2002. He later played for the
Atlanta Falcons, before retiring in 2006. He went back to his high school alma
mater, where he was the defensive coordinator. This will be the first time in
recent history that the defensive backfield will have both a cornerback and a
safeties coach.
RETAINED COACHING STAFF
EARL HOLMES
HEAD COACH
GEORGE SMALL
ASSOC. HEAD COACH
JUAN VASQUEZ
SPECIAL TEAMS
BRIAN GILMORE
ASSISTANT COACH
QUINN GRAY
OFFENSIVE COORD.
www.FAMUAthletics.com