RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Dean Hood announced today a pair of changes to the coaching staff for the upcoming season. Ben Hodges will be the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator while Klay Koester will coach the wide receivers.

“It’s a blessing as a head coach to have qualified people in-house to elevate,” Hood said. “At this level, there is always lots of turnover, so to be able to keep guys around is always a great thing. Both Ben and Klay are extremely hard workers, knowledgeable in their specific areas and truly care about the players.”

Hodges is entering his sixth year with the EKU football team. He spent the previous three years coaching the wide receivers and helped two Colonels earn all-conference accolades. The native of Wapello, Iowa began his EKU tenure in 2006 as an offensive graduate assistant.

Koester, a former Colonel football player, graduated from EKU in 2007 and returned to the program last year as an offensive graduate assistant. There are plenty of playmakers at Koester’s disposal for 2011 including junior Orlandus Harris, who earned second team All-OVC honors last fall after finishing second in the conference in receiving yards.

Eastern Kentucky opens the 2011 schedule at Kansas State on Sept. 3. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

TRANSACTIONS
Eastern Kentucky University – Announced the hiring of Ben Hodges as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, and Klay Koester as wide receivers coach for the football team.