Jacksonville State continues to pour into its football program under Rich Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, the former Michigan and West Virginia coach who has guided Jacksonville State to back-to-back nine win seasons since he was hired after the 2021 season, is fortifying his staff on both sides of the ball, FootballScoop has learned.
The Gamecocks are adding Jake Casteel to their staff as a defensive analyst while bringing on board Austin Jones to serve in a similar role for both the JSU offense and special teams.
Most recently the co-special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at FCS program Cal-Poly, Casteel played at Northern Arizona and is the son of longtime veteran college assistant, Jeff Casteel.
Jake Casteel also had served as a graduate assistant at West Virginia.
Jones also has an impressive background. Joining the JSU staff in a senior analyst role, he also logged stints at Ole Miss, Northern Arizona and IMG Academy.
The Gamecocks open their upcoming 2024 season with one of the earlier games, kicking off against Coastal Carolina Aug. 29 at home. They travel nine days later to face Louisville, in its second year under Jeff Brohm.