Following four years as Youngstown State's special teams coordinator, Evan Harvey is getting an Power 5 opportunity, sources tell FootballScoop.
Harvey is heading to the Southeastern Conference to join Jeff Lebby's inaugural staff as a special teams analyst for Mississippi State, sources told FootballScoop Saturday.
Harvey, also Youngstown State's linebackers coach in recent seasons, played collegiately at FCS program Lehigh University, where he was a linebacker with 34 career games played.
Harvey started his coaching career at Moravian College, spent time at John Carroll University and then ascended to his role at Youngstown State.
In recent years, Harvey's Penguins units emerged as some of the best in FCS, ranking fourth in the division with four blocked kicks. They also produced an all-conference place-kicker and ranked among the league's leaders in net punting.
Lebby was hired into his first head coaching role last month to replace the fired Zach Arnett.
The Bulldogs open their 2024 season Aug. 31 against Walt Wells's Eastern Kentucky program, which has seen Wells revitalize the Colonels in recent seasons with both a return to the FCS Playoffs and multiple winning seasons.
Youngstown State has now lost two assistant coaches in recent days, having seen Jahmal Brown depart for the defensive coordinator role at fellow FCS program Mercer under new coach Mike Jacobs, for whom Brown previously worked.
Sources indicated that Youngstown will make John Haneline, previously co-defensive coordinator, the Penguins' top defensive play-caller.
Youngstown coach Doug Phillips still needs to fill the positions vacated by Brown and Harvey late this week.