After losing special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler to Nebraska, Josh Heupel is landing a veteran NFL special teams coordinator.
Sources tell FootballScoop longtime NFL special teams coordinator, and former Central Michigan head coach, John Bonamego is set to join the staff.
We're told Bonamego will serve as assistant special teams coach.
Widely regarded as one of the top special teams coordinators at any level, "Bono" has coordinated special teams units for the Jaguars (twice), Packers, Dolphins, Lions (twice) and Rams.
He most recently spent the 2022-23 seasons on staff in Ames under Matt Campbell at Iowa State as a senior coaching assistant.
As the head coach at Central Michigan from 2015-18, Bonamego put together a 22-29 record, leading to the Chips to three-straight bowl games in his first three seasons, including an 8-5 finish in 2017.
Sources confirm Heupel promoted senior defensive analyst Levorn Harbin to outside linebackers recently (taking the spot of Ekeler on defense), and multiple outlets add that special teams analyst Evan Crabtree is being elevated to the coordinator role with Bonamego being added in the assistant role.
An ACC coordinator with a considerable buyout as well as another veteran NFL special teams coordinator were among the other finalists for the role, sources have shared.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.