Bowling Green State University Athletics
Brandon Tabs BGSU Alum John Hunter As Assistant Coach
June 29, 2006 | Football
June 29, 2006
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green State University football coach Gregg Brandon has announced that John Hunter, a former All-MAC performer for the Falcons and the head coach at Pershing High School in Detroit, will return to his alma mater and serve as an assistant coach. Hunter will be the team's running backs coach.
"We are elated to have John and his family back in Bowling Green," said Brandon. "Because of his experiences her at Bowling Green, he can sell the program as well as anyone. He has been a part of some outstanding teams as both a player and as a coach and he knows the qualities it takes to bring out the best in others.
Since 2000, Hunter has served as the head football and boy's track and field coach at Pershing. On the gridiron, his teams were 40-28 and made four state playoff appearances in the last six years after the school had made just one state playoff appearances in its history prior to his arrival. He led Pershing to two district titles, two regional championship games and one Detroit P.S.L. playoff nod.
"I think this is an outstanding opportunity for myself and my family," said Hunter. "It is a great honor to be able to come back to BGSU and share my passion for football with a great coaching staff and tremendous student-athletes."
Hunter, who graduated from the institution in 1988, was a four-year starter at linebacker and twice was named first-team All-MAC (1986 and 1987). For his career, he had 336 tackles, including 44 for a loss and was a member of a 1985 MAC Championship team which included current BGSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa. Following his senior year, he signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Prior to his stint at Pershing High School, Hunter was an assistant coach at St. Martin DePorres in 1989 and from 1994-99. He was the defensive backs coach for a team which won the state championship in 1989 and was defensive coordinator from 1994-99, also winning state titles in 1995 and 1996. As a player, he also played on state title teams at DePorres in 1981 and 1982.
A native of Detroit, he and his wife, Amara, have a son, John (7) and a daughter, Justiss (4).
STAFF ASSIGNMENTS ADJUSTED
With the addition of Hunter as running backs coach and the departure of John Bowers as linebackers coach, Brandon has announced the following staff adjustments. Dennis Springer who has spent the last three seasons as running backs coach will move to the defensive secondary. He coached defensive backs at Ball State in 2001 and 2002. D.J. Durkin, who also is special teams coordinator, will move to linebackers coach after coaching the defensive ends last season. Mike Ward will now coach the entire defensive line after coaching defensive tackles.
"We have a veteran group of coaches who are talented and can adjust to their new duties," said Brandon. "We are always looking for ways to improve and energize ourselves and this is a great opportunity to do that."
