Western Kentucky promotes offensive quality control coach to RBs coach

Western Kentucky offensive quality control coach Bryan Ellis has been promoted to running backs coach, according to a source.

This past season was Ellis’ first with the Hilltoppers. He replaces Greg Nord, who left last month for Florida.

Ellis worked closely with Western Kentucky’s quarterbacks under offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton. Ellis spent 2012-13 at his alma mater, Alabama-Birmingham, as a graduate assistant.

The Byron, Georgia native played quarterback for the Blazers from 2007-11. Besides the promotion of Ellis, Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm has promoted offensive graduate assistant Zach Lankford to Ellis’ former offensive quality control coach position, according to the source.

Lankford is also a product of Alabama-Birmingham, where he played tight end from 2005-09. Brohm has also given special teams responsibilities to wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, according to the source.

Shephard will split special teams duties with cornerbacks coach Ricky Brumfield, who assisted with special teams for the Hilltoppers this past season. Shephard tied the NCAA record for kickoff return touchdowns in a single game (two) while a player a DePauw University.

Western Kentucky had an 8-5 record this past season in Brohm’s inaugural campaign that included a wild win against Central Michigan in the Bahamas Bowl. The Hilltoppers had one of the nation’s most prolific offenses and return sixth-year senior quarterback Brandon Doughty, who led the FBS in passing yards (4,830) and touchdown passes (49).