Chris Hatcher's ability to identify and help develop young coaching talent means something of an annual rite of passage for Samford's veteran head coach: replenishing his own staff.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Hatcher is doing just that, moving to finalize additions to the secondary and on special teams.
Former Georgia Southern staffer Cal King and ex-Murray State special teams coordinator Tyler Zielenske to the Bulldogs staff, per sources.
Most recently, King was a senior defensive analyst on Clay Helton's Georgia Southern staff, but has been positioned to come to Samford as the safeties coordinator.
With SEC experience under well-regarded Pete Lembo at South Carolina in 2023 and also in the ACC at Pitt, Zielenske also owns FBS Group of Five pedigree from stints at Memphis, Texas State and South Alabama.
He was. key hire to Jody Wright's inaugural Murray State staff in 2024.
Samford is scheduled to open its 2025 season with a Southern Conference tilt against The Citadel. The Bulldogs also have money games at Baylor and at Texas A&M.