Ole Miss closing in on next special teams coordinator, per report

Ole Miss is closing in on a hire for its vacant special teams coordinator role, according to a report.

The Rebels are expected to hire Arkansas State’s Jake Schoonover, per On3’s Matt Zenitz. Schoonover would replace Marty Biagi, who is set to join Notre Dame.

Ole Miss is expected to hire Arkansas State’s Jake Schoonover as special teams coordinator, sources tell @on3sports.

Before Arkansas State, Schoonover worked at Kansas and helped the Jayhawks rank in the top-11 nationally in kick return defense and punt returns.… https://t.co/i6SK30wYSM pic.twitter.com/AaGGxEBKkI

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 7, 2023

Schoonover spent 1 season as Arkansas State’s special teams coordinator. Prior to the 2022 campaign, he served in that role for Kansas. He was also the Jayhawks’ outside linebackers coach. He also coached linebackers and special teams during a stint at Bowling Green.

Under Schoonover’s leadership at Kansas, the Jayhawks ranked 2nd in the nation in kickoff return defense. They also excelled in punt returns and kickoff returns.

As a player, Schoonover was a captain and multi-year starter for Missouri Western State. He later played professionally in the Arena Football League.