Jan. 17, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman Head Coach Ken Sparks' announced today that Dan Redding and Eric Solomon have joined his staff.

Both are back for their second stint with the Eagle program.

Redding returns after a spending the last two seasons at Southeast Louisiana (FCS) as the defensive line coach. He spent 16 years on Sparks' staff before leaving after the 2005 season. He will serve as the defensive line and strength and conditioning coach for the Eagles.

"We're excited to have Dan back home," Sparks said. "He has been a big part of what we've done here, and I'm glad the Lord has led him back to Carson-Newman."

Carson-Newman has enjoyed a long line of success along the defensive line. A number of former Eagles have had NFL careers, including Cedric Killings, who spoke at the Eagles' football banquet last Saturday evening.

Also returning to Mossy Creek is former All-SAC linebacker Eric Solomon. The Fort Valley, Georgia-native will help coach the Eagles' secondary.

Solomon, a 2005 graduate of Carson-Newman, was a standout during his time at C-N. He started as a freshman in 2002, playing a major role on an Eagles team that finished 12-1.

After finishing his playing career with the Eagles in 2006, Solomon was an assistant coach at Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida. He coaches the tight ends and linebackers on a team that finished 7-3 in 2007.