Tripp Weaver Promoted to Catamount’s Defensive Coordinator

Weaver has been on Catamount defensive staff past two seasons

Western Carolina head football coach Mark Speir today announced the promotion of current defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Tripp Weaver to the position of defensive coordinator as his squad prepares to enter 2020 spring drills.

Weaver, who came to WCU in March of 2018 after successful, championship stops at both The Citadel and James Madison, succeeds former defensive coordinator John Wiley who was not retained following the 2019 season.

“Throughout the process of filling our defensive coaching staff, starting with the coordinator position, we knew that we wanted someone that was young and energetic, and that possessed a strong defensive mind. As I talked with and interviewed candidates for the position, it kept coming back to me that we already had that guy on our staff in Tripp Weaver,” said Speir. “Tripp is an exceptionally sharp football coach that has been a part of successful defensive units during his coaching career and has a championship pedigree. More so, our players gravitate to him with his upbeat personality, energy and his passion for the game.”

Over the past two seasons under Weaver’s tutelage, four Catamounts have garnered All-Southern Conference honors with two collecting All-America plaudits. Marvin Tillman (first-team media, second-team coaches) and Ronald Kent Jr. (all-freshman) were recognized by the SoCon in 2018, and last season, John Brannon III (second-team coaches, second-team media) and JerMichael White (first-team media).

Tillman, a 2018 HERO Sports All-America selection, appeared on the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List – an award that is given to the top FCS defensive player nationally – and later earned a minicamp invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs in April of 2019. Kent additionally graced the watch list as a semifinalist for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award which is given annually to the top freshman in FCS in addition to being dubbed a Freshman All-America selection by both Phil Steele and HERO Sports. Kent ranked second in the SoCon with a team-best 12 pass break-ups – a mark that ranked the rookie tied for sixth in WCU’s single-season record books and were the most by a WCU defender since 2002.

Combined, Weaver has seen five of his defensive backs earn All-America plaudits over the past four seasons between his last three coaching stops.

Taking over as the defensive passing game coordinator in 2018, the Catamounts made a drastic improvement over the last two seasons even with a pair of NCAA FBS Power Five opponents – NC State and Alabama – on the 2019 schedule. WCU finished 108th in the NCAA FCS against the pass in 2018, surrendering 261.5 yards per game. Last fall, WCU finished 17th nationally in passing yards allowed, limiting opponents to just 176.3 yards per game.

An Asheville, N.C., native and a 2008 graduate of T.C. Roberson High, Weaver got his start in collegiate coaching after two and a half years as a volunteer student assistant at his alma mater, East Carolina, spending two seasons (2012-13) on the sidelines with the Pirates working primarily with the defensive secondary.

During his time at ECU, the team went 18-8, including a 10-win season in 2013 when the Pirates finished the season ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll. In 2012, Weaver coached the safeties and helped mentor ECU defensive MVP Damon Magazu and Godfrey Thompson, both of whom earned All-Conference USA honors. ECU safeties accounted for more interceptions (8) than the Pirates had the year prior (5), helping the squad finish 8-5 overall and 7-1 in conference play to earn an invitation to the R&L Carriers Bowl.

The following season, he transitioned to cornerbacks coach. His unit, led by All-C-USA selection Adonis Armstrong, helped lower the team’s passing defense average by 23 yards while grabbing nine of the squad’s 18 interceptions. The Pirates finished 36th nationally in total defense (368.8), their best ranking in the category since 2008, and they helped spark the program to wins over in-state rivals North Carolina and N.C. State, marking the first-time ECU beat both schools in the same season.

Weaver then spent two seasons at Southern Conference-member, The Citadel (2014-15) on Mike Houston’s staff as the outside linebackers coach. In 2015, Weaver helped the Bulldogs to their fourth winning season since 1995 with a 9-4 record and a share of the 2015 Southern Conference title. They also defeated Southeastern Conference (SEC) member South Carolina 23-22 in the regular-season finale and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs after upsetting ninth-ranked Coastal Carolina, the Bulldogs’ first-ever playoff road win.

The Citadel defense showed drastic improvement from 2014 to 2015, giving up nearly seven fewer points per game and limiting opposing offenses to 86 fewer yards, while tallying 19 more takeaways. The Bulldogs led the country with a school-record 515 interception return yards and five interceptions for a touchdown. It also led the SoCon and ranked third nationally with 20 interceptions, the third-highest single-season total in program history, and with 31 turnovers forced. The Bulldogs also topped the SoCon passing touchdowns allowed (10), fumble recoveries (11), third-down defense (36.5%) and tackles for loss (6.5). They ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (21.8), total defense (356.2), rushing defense (157.3), and sacks (2.08).

Weaver’s outside linebackers were responsible for 10 turnovers, grabbing five interceptions, forcing three fumbles and recovered two more. Joe Crochet was tied for the league lead with two fumble recoveries and was the first Bulldog in 26 years to be named a First Team Academic All-American. Quinlan Washington was voted to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and was a First Team All-SoCon return specialist.

His first unit in 2014 included bandit Rah Muhammad, who was the team’s second-leading tackler (70) as he ranked 15th in the conference in tackles per game (5.8). Crochet was named the team’s defensive MVP after tying for third in the SoCon with three forced fumbles.

Weaver then followed Houston to James Madison for two seasons where he worked as an assistant coach primarily with the cornerbacks. He was responsible for the punt return unit and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, Weaver helped JMU return to defensive national prominence, as JMU led the country in 2017 in scoring defense (11.1 points per game), interceptions (31), takeaways (44) and pass efficiency defense (83.12 rating).

JMU’s cornerbacks accounted for 16 of the team’s 31 interceptions in 2017, as Jimmy Moreland ranked second nationally with eight picks, while Rashad Robinson was third in the FCS with seven. The Dukes produced 69 pass breakups, with the corners coming up with 33 of them. Moreland was one of the country’s best, leading JMU with 14 pass breakups.

In addition to leading the country in four defensive categories, the Dukes also ranked in the top 10 in 14 areas, coming in at third in total defense (252.0), defensive touchdowns (5) and turnover margin (+1.47), fourth in punt-return defense (3.33) and fifth in sacks (3.4). They were also seventh in rushing defense (90.5), eighth in fumble recoveries (13) and 10th in passing defense (161.5), third-down defense (30.1%) and blocked punts (2).

He coached Robinson to All-America accolades, as the junior was named AFCA First Team All-America, Associated Press Second Team All-American and a Third Team All-American by both STATS and HERO Sports. Both Robinson and Moreland were named First Team All-CAA selections at cornerback, marking the first time in school history that JMU put two corners on an all-conference team in the same season. Miller was also First Team All-CAA punt returner and was voted CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, marking the second year in a row Weaver coached a JMU student-athlete to the award.

In his first season with the Dukes, he helped lead a young, yet experienced defensive backfield to a solid showing as a part of the national championship team. JMU’s defense led the country with 21 interceptions, eight of which came by Weaver’s cornerbacks. The Dukes produced 80 pass breakups as a team over the 15-game season, with 39 coming from the corners.

JMU ranked fifth nationally and second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with 30 takeaways, leading to a No. 8 ranking in turnover margin (+1.13). JMU was also seventh in pass efficiency defense (106.88), 26th in third-down defense (34.1%) and 30th in total defense (344.3). JMU allowed nearly 60 fewer yards per game from the 2015 season to the 2016 campaign.

Weaver coached Taylor Reynolds to All-America honors as the senior became the first JMU corner to earn the distinction since Clint Kent in 2005 and just the third corner dating back to 1994. Reynolds had two of the unit’s eight interceptions and ranked 34th in the FCS and second, in the CAA with 1.14 passes defended per contest. He paced all CAA players with 14 pass breakups.

Weaver is married to the former Leigh Hatcher of Asheville, N.C.

Weaver at a Glance:

Coaching Experience

Jan. 2020: Western Carolina (Defensive Coordinator)

2018-20: Western Carolina (Defensive Backs / Defensive Passing Game Coordinator)

2015-17: James Madison (Cornerbacks / Recruiting Coordinator)

2014-15: The Citadel (Outside Linebackers)

2012-13: East Carolina (Defensive Secondary)

2009-2012: East Carolina (Student Assistant)

Alma Mater: East Carolina, 2012

Hometown: Asheville, N.C. (T.C. Roberson HS)

Wife: Leigh (Hatcher) of Asheville

What They Are Saying About Tripp Weaver:

“Tripp is a bright young coach who has the energy and passion to inspire those around him. I am excited to watch this next step in his career. Western Carolina University Football is fortunate to have him leading their defense.”

– Mike Houston, Head Football Coach at East Carolina

“I am excited about Tripp Weaver’s already proven leadership, popularity, and enthusiasm with the current Catamount players. He has learned under some very successful defensive coaches and has the background to defend the many differing option offenses of the Southern Conference. I am sure that he’ll be a great addition to lead the defense. I’m so happy, too, that he is from Asheville and Western North Carolina.”

– Fred Goldsmith, former WCU football letter winner and the former head coach at both Duke and Rice, as well as Franklin HS; Goldsmith was the 1992 Sports Illustrated National NCAA Coach of the Year and received the 1994 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award

“While working for us at East Carolina, Tripp was one of the smartest, brightest, and hardest working young coaches we had on our staff. He has since proven that exactly right and more since he’s moved forward in the coaching profession.”

– Ruffin McNeil, Oklahoma Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Tackles and former head coach at ECU

“I am so excited for Tripp Weaver and WCU.  I’ve had the privilege of working with Tripp and he’s done a tremendous job everywhere he has been. He brings a lot of energy and has shown impressive leadership to go out and do what he’s done.  He is a rising star and one of the bright defensive minds in the game – but most importantly, he’s a great person.”

– Blake Harrell, a WCU alum and current defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State

“I had the opportunity to watch the maturation process of Tripp Weaver. After working with Tripp as the Defensive Coordinator at The Citadel, I have absolutely zero reservations saying that he is the man for the job at Western Carolina University. He will help WCU garner the defensive reputation it desires. I envision it will be reminiscent of Bob Waters and Don Powers’ type defenses. Tripp is one of the rising stars in our profession and has a phenomenal reputation with coaches at all levels.

– Maurice Drayton, Green Bay Packers Assistant Coach

“Tripp Weaver is one of the brightest young upcoming stars in the profession. Through experience at different stops, he possesses all of the tools to lead the Catamount defense and to be successful.”

– Brandon Jones, Offensive Coordinator at Houston

“Tripp Weaver is one of the most dynamic young coaches in college football today. He’s an ‘old soul’ that can motivate, relate, and impact the lives of young student-athletes. Congratulations to Tripp and the Western Carolina football team – the Catamounts’ got a good one.”

– Brian Mitchell, North Carolina State Secondary Coach

For more info visit CatamountSports.com