March 3, 2009

Staff Promotions & New Hires

(San Diego, CA) - University of San Diego head football coach Ron Caragher is pleased to announce two promotions within his coaching staff, along with the addition of hiring four new assistant coaches. Third-year assistant Todd Washington has been elevated from Offensive Line coach to Offensive Coordinator, and fifth-year assistant Tanner Engstrand has been elevated to Quarterbacks Coach and will oversee the passing game. New additions include Keith Carter as Tight Ends coach, Sam Anno as Linebackers Coach, Ken Stills as Defensive Backs coach, and former Torero Joe Staab as a Defensive Assistant.

"I am excited about our coaching staff promotions and additions as we head into spring practice," said Ron Caragher, who just wrapped up his second consecutive 9-2 campaign this past fall. "On the offensive side of the ball, Todd Washington will be our new Offensive Coordinator. Todd has done a a very good job coaching our offensive line and overseeing our run game and pass protections in the past two seasons. He understands our philosophy on offense and is ready for this next step in his coaching career. Also, Tanner Engstrand, who did a terrific job coaching our running backs, will now coach the quarterbacks and oversee the passing game. Tanner played quarterback himself in college and has a sound understanding of our passing game concepts. Our new tight ends coach will be Keith Carter. Keith played tight end while I was coaching at UCLA and he previously coached at Wagner (TE's) and Redlands (OL). He is a passionate coach and a terrific teacher. On defense, we have added three new coaches. Sam Anno will coach our linebackers and coordinate our special teams. Sam has great energy and brings a combination of sound football knowledge and coaching experience to the program. Sam played in the NFL for 7 years and won NFL Special Teams Player of the Year. He previously coached at USC and Central Connecticut State. Ken Stills will coach our defensive backs. Following a six-year playing career in the NFL, Ken has been a successful coach at the high school, junior college, college, and professional levels. He is knowledgeable in all phases of secondary play and is an outstanding teacher. Also joining our defensive staff will be Joe Staab. As a player, Joe was both smart and instinctive and would often `coach up' his fellow teammates. I see that continuing as he makes the transition from player to coach. He has a great work ethic and will be a fine addition to our staff."

New Additions to the USD Football Staff (March 3, 2009)

Sam Anno, Linebackers Coach & Special Teams Coordinator
Sam Anno joins the USD staff where he will coach linebackers and be in charge of special teams. This past season he coached at Central Connecticut State where the team went 7-4 overall and tied for third in the Northeast Conference standings with a 4-3 mark. He was responsible for linebackers and special teams for the Blue Devils. Prior to his one year at Central Connecticut, Anno spente three seasons at the University of Southern California, his alma mater. After serving as a defensive and special teams graduate assistant at USC in 2005 and 2006, Anno was a video assistant on the 2007 staff. Prior to joining the USC staff, Anno spent 2004 as an assistant coach at Venice High School. He was also an assistant at Saint Monica High for four seasons (1996-99) and the defensive coordinator at Santa Monica High from 2000-01.

Anno spent seven years in the NFL after graduating from USC. A linebacker and long snapper, he played with the Los Angeles Rams (1987), Minnesota Vikings (1987-88), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989-91) and San Diego Chargers (1992-93). He received NFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 1989. The Santa Monica, CA native received his bachelor's degree in communication from USC in 1987 before obtaining a master's degree in athletic administration from the University.

Keith Carter, Tight Ends Coach
Keith Carter joins the USD staff where he will coach tight ends. He comes to USD from the University of Redlands where he has been offensive line coach the past two seasons. This past year the Bulldogs went 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the SCIAC (3rd place). Prior to Redlands he was tight ends coach at Wagner College in 2006 while completing his Master of Arts in Secondary Education. In 2005 he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UCLA after competing as a member of the Bruins football team. As a player he played for the Bruins for four seasons seeing action at U-back, fullback and tight end. He hails from Downingtown, PA.

Ken Stills, Defensive Backs Coach
Ken Stills joins the USD staff where he will coach the defensive backs. He brings a wealth of coaching experience having coached at the high school, junior college, college and professional ranks over the past twelve seasons. His most recent post was as head coach with the River City Rage in the United Indoor Football League (St. Charles, Missouri) with the team earning Eastern Conference Champion Runner-up. Prior to that he was defensive back coach for NFLE Frankfurt Galaxy between 2003-2007. They won the World Bowl Championship in 2006 & 2003, and were World Bowl participants in 2007 & 2004.

He returns to USD where was on the coaching staff in 1999. From nearby Oceanside, he prepped at El Camino HS (1977-81); played two years at El Camino College (1981-83); and finished his collegiate career at Wisconsin (1983-85) where he was a Big Ten performer. He was an 8th round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1985, and played in their organization until 1990. He played his last two seasons in the NFL with Minnesota (1990-91).

Joe Staab, Defensive Assistant,br> Joe Staab joins the Torero staff following his playing career with USD the past five seasons. The past four years he competed with the defensive unit and special teams unit with San Diego going a combined 40-6 during this span. This past season he appeared in ten contests, and in 2007 played in 11 games with 31 tackles (17 solo stops). From San Diego, Joe prepped at Grossmont High School. He graduated with a Business degree and minor in Accounting.