COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland head coach DJ Durkin has announced on Tuesday that Chuck Heater and Bryan Stinespring have joined the Terrapin football coaching staff. Heater will serve as the safeties coach and Stinespring will take over as offensive line coach.
Heater, who has spent the past five seasons as Marshall’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach, brings over four decades of college football coaching experience to the Terps. He’s coached three National Championship teams (Notre Dame, 1988; Florida, 2006 and ’08) and has been part of 30 bowl games with a 24-6 record. The programs he’s coached have a combined record of 344-164-4 (.676) and he’s been part of 14 10-win seasons
Durkin and Heater worked together at Florida during the 2010 season in which the Gators defeated Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Heater served as the co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for a defense that ranked ninth nationally in total defense and 12th against the pass. While on staff with Durkin, Heater helped mentor a pair of Gator defensive backs, Ahmad Black and Janoris Jenkins, who garnered All-America honors.
“Chuck’s record speaks for itself,” said Durkin. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with him first hand and have seen the direct impact he’s made in developing players. Throughout his career, Chuck has played an instrumental role in leading defenses that have performed at extremely high levels.
“Chuck will coach safeties and work closely with Aazaar (Abdul-Rahim), who has done an outstanding job and will coach our cornerbacks,” Durkin continued. “Aazaar’s a great communicator, teacher and leader. I’m excited that these two tremendous coaches will be working together to lead our secondary.”
Stinespring also brings a wealth of experience, having coached in three national championship games (Virginia Tech, 1999; James Madison 2016-17). After spending 26 years on Frank Beamer’s coaching staff at Virginia Tech, Stinespring has spent the past two seasons at James Madison, coaching tight ends in 2016 and serving as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2017. The Dukes went 28-2 in his two seasons at the school, winning the National Title in 2016 and reaching the FCS Championship game this past season.
“We’re excited to add Bryan to our staff as he brings a great deal of experience and a strong familiarity with the DMV area,” said Durkin. “Bryan is extremely well thought of and his tenures at Virginia Tech and James Madison included 25 consecutive winning seasons. With his past success in developing offensive linemen, I’m thrilled that he’ll be leading our unit. He’s a tremendous asset to our program and we’re excited to welcome him to Maryland.”
In addition, Durkin announced that linebackers coach Matt Barnes has added the duties of Special Teams Coordinator. Barnes, who has coached the Terps’ linebackers unit the last two seasons, helped guide Jermaine Carter, Jr. to consecutive Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades. In addition to working with the defense, Barnes served as a special teams graduate assistant under Durkin at the University of Florida.
More on Chuck Heater
In 2013, Heater inherited a Thundering Herd defense that ranked second-to-last in the FBS in scoring defense (43.1 points allowed per game) and cut that total to 22.9 points per game the next year; the 20.1-point turnaround was the best in major college football since the 1997-98 seasons.
Marshall ranked 28th nationally in total defense in 2017, allowing just 341.7 yards per game. This past season, The Thundering Herd led Conference USA in rushing defense (121.2) and also ranked Top 25 nationally in defensive touchdowns (eighth, 4), red zone defense (10th, .732), scoring defense (17th, 19.9), rushing defense (19th), red zone touchdown percentage allowed (23rd, .512) and tackles for loss (24th, 7.2).
Heater's other coaching stops have come at Florida, Colorado, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Temple, Toledo, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. He has twice been nominated for the Frank Broyles Award (2006, 2011) as the nation's top assistant coach.
Heater has been associated with six National Coaches of the Year in his playing and coaching career (Barry Alvarez, Earle Bruce, Lou Holtz, Urban Meyer, Bill McCartney and Bo Schembechler) while mentoring 21 NFL Draft selections and 25 NFL players.
Also widely regarded as a strong recruiter, Heater served as the recruiting coordinator for the 2006 and 2007 University of Florida classes that ranked among the top two nationally, including No. 1 by several services. The 2008 class was ranked in the top five by several services.
A former Michigan (’75) running back, Heater finished his playing career as the fifth leading rusher (1,981 yards) in Wolverines history. Heater was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 1975 NFL Draft.
More on Bryan Stinespring
A 1986 graduate of James Madison, Stinespring guided a Dukes offense that ranked third nationally in first downs (325), ninth in completion percentage (64.9%), 15th in scoring offense (34.4), 22nd in pass efficiency (142.46 rating), 25th in rushing (194.3) and 30th in total offense (419.0) in 2017. He coached a pair of FCS All-American’s in left tackle Aaron Stinnie and right tackle Jahee Jackson.
A native of Clifton Forge, Va., Stinespring spent 26 years on Frank Beamer’s coaching staff at Virginia Tech (1990-2015) prior to going to JMU. In his time with Tech, the program won seven conference championships and advanced to 23 consecutive bowl games. The Hokies earned invitations to eight BCS bowl games, including the national championship game in 1999.
Stinespring held many essential roles during his time in Blacksburg. He was the offensive coordinator from 2002-12, managed the offensive line for eight years (1998-2005) and spent three years as the recruiting coordinator (2013-15).
During his time with the Tech offensive line, Stinespring coached Jake Grove to the 2003 Rimington Trophy as the center became just the third consensus All-American in program history. He was also the first center taken in the 2004 NFL Draft. After taking over the line in 1998, he helped send two linemen, Derek Smith and Dwight Vick, on to the NFL.
Heater, who has spent the past five seasons as Marshall’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach, brings over four decades of college football coaching experience to the Terps. He’s coached three National Championship teams (Notre Dame, 1988; Florida, 2006 and ’08) and has been part of 30 bowl games with a 24-6 record. The programs he’s coached have a combined record of 344-164-4 (.676) and he’s been part of 14 10-win seasons
Durkin and Heater worked together at Florida during the 2010 season in which the Gators defeated Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Heater served as the co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for a defense that ranked ninth nationally in total defense and 12th against the pass. While on staff with Durkin, Heater helped mentor a pair of Gator defensive backs, Ahmad Black and Janoris Jenkins, who garnered All-America honors.
“Chuck’s record speaks for itself,” said Durkin. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with him first hand and have seen the direct impact he’s made in developing players. Throughout his career, Chuck has played an instrumental role in leading defenses that have performed at extremely high levels.
“Chuck will coach safeties and work closely with Aazaar (Abdul-Rahim), who has done an outstanding job and will coach our cornerbacks,” Durkin continued. “Aazaar’s a great communicator, teacher and leader. I’m excited that these two tremendous coaches will be working together to lead our secondary.”
Stinespring also brings a wealth of experience, having coached in three national championship games (Virginia Tech, 1999; James Madison 2016-17). After spending 26 years on Frank Beamer’s coaching staff at Virginia Tech, Stinespring has spent the past two seasons at James Madison, coaching tight ends in 2016 and serving as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2017. The Dukes went 28-2 in his two seasons at the school, winning the National Title in 2016 and reaching the FCS Championship game this past season.
“We’re excited to add Bryan to our staff as he brings a great deal of experience and a strong familiarity with the DMV area,” said Durkin. “Bryan is extremely well thought of and his tenures at Virginia Tech and James Madison included 25 consecutive winning seasons. With his past success in developing offensive linemen, I’m thrilled that he’ll be leading our unit. He’s a tremendous asset to our program and we’re excited to welcome him to Maryland.”
In addition, Durkin announced that linebackers coach Matt Barnes has added the duties of Special Teams Coordinator. Barnes, who has coached the Terps’ linebackers unit the last two seasons, helped guide Jermaine Carter, Jr. to consecutive Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades. In addition to working with the defense, Barnes served as a special teams graduate assistant under Durkin at the University of Florida.
More on Chuck Heater
In 2013, Heater inherited a Thundering Herd defense that ranked second-to-last in the FBS in scoring defense (43.1 points allowed per game) and cut that total to 22.9 points per game the next year; the 20.1-point turnaround was the best in major college football since the 1997-98 seasons.
Marshall ranked 28th nationally in total defense in 2017, allowing just 341.7 yards per game. This past season, The Thundering Herd led Conference USA in rushing defense (121.2) and also ranked Top 25 nationally in defensive touchdowns (eighth, 4), red zone defense (10th, .732), scoring defense (17th, 19.9), rushing defense (19th), red zone touchdown percentage allowed (23rd, .512) and tackles for loss (24th, 7.2).
Heater's other coaching stops have come at Florida, Colorado, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Temple, Toledo, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. He has twice been nominated for the Frank Broyles Award (2006, 2011) as the nation's top assistant coach.
Heater has been associated with six National Coaches of the Year in his playing and coaching career (Barry Alvarez, Earle Bruce, Lou Holtz, Urban Meyer, Bill McCartney and Bo Schembechler) while mentoring 21 NFL Draft selections and 25 NFL players.
Also widely regarded as a strong recruiter, Heater served as the recruiting coordinator for the 2006 and 2007 University of Florida classes that ranked among the top two nationally, including No. 1 by several services. The 2008 class was ranked in the top five by several services.
A former Michigan (’75) running back, Heater finished his playing career as the fifth leading rusher (1,981 yards) in Wolverines history. Heater was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 1975 NFL Draft.
More on Bryan Stinespring
A 1986 graduate of James Madison, Stinespring guided a Dukes offense that ranked third nationally in first downs (325), ninth in completion percentage (64.9%), 15th in scoring offense (34.4), 22nd in pass efficiency (142.46 rating), 25th in rushing (194.3) and 30th in total offense (419.0) in 2017. He coached a pair of FCS All-American’s in left tackle Aaron Stinnie and right tackle Jahee Jackson.
A native of Clifton Forge, Va., Stinespring spent 26 years on Frank Beamer’s coaching staff at Virginia Tech (1990-2015) prior to going to JMU. In his time with Tech, the program won seven conference championships and advanced to 23 consecutive bowl games. The Hokies earned invitations to eight BCS bowl games, including the national championship game in 1999.
Stinespring held many essential roles during his time in Blacksburg. He was the offensive coordinator from 2002-12, managed the offensive line for eight years (1998-2005) and spent three years as the recruiting coordinator (2013-15).
During his time with the Tech offensive line, Stinespring coached Jake Grove to the 2003 Rimington Trophy as the center became just the third consensus All-American in program history. He was also the first center taken in the 2004 NFL Draft. After taking over the line in 1998, he helped send two linemen, Derek Smith and Dwight Vick, on to the NFL.
