For the first time in Jim McElwain’s tenure, the Central Michigan Chippewas are coming off of back-to-back losing seasons. McElwain has an experienced staff, as most of his senior coaches have been with the program for multiple seasons.
It’s a big year for McElwain and this Chippewa coaching staff.
So, who makes up the Central Michigan coaching staff?
CMU Chippewas Coaching Staff
Head Coach, Jim McElwain
McElwain enters his sixth season as the head man for the Chippewas and his 12th overall as a head coach.
McElwain has revitalized Central Michigan University’s football program during his tenure, guiding the Chippewas to notable successes across four full seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19). Under his leadership, CMU secured two MAC West Division titles — outright or shared — and earned two bowl game appearances in 2019 and 2021.
The 2021 season was a standout, with McElwain steering the Chippewas to a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 performance in conference play, which clinched them a share of the MAC West championship.
The season’s highlight was a narrow 24-21 victory over Washington State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, marking CMU’s first bowl win since 2012 and its first triumph over a Power 5 team since 2017.
When McElwain took over in 2019, he inherited a program that had struggled mightily, winning just one game in 2018. His impact was immediate, as he led the Chippewas to an 8-6 overall record and a 6-2 record in MAC play in his first season.
This dramatic turnaround, featuring a seven-win improvement, was the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision that year. It propelled CMU to its first MAC Championship Game appearance in over a decade.
McElwain’s remarkable achievements earned him the MAC Coach of the Year award. He is among only four coaches in NCAA Division I history to receive Coach of the Year honors in three conferences.
Defensive Coordinator, Robb Akey
Robb Akey has been a pivotal force in revitalizing Central Michigan’s football program. His impact has been felt in the immediate transformation of the Chippewas, helping the team rebound from a dismal one-win season in 2018 to an impressive 8-6 record in 2019.
With over three decades of coaching experience, Akey has crafted a defense that is both relentless and reliable, emphasizing toughness, athleticism, and strategic excellence.
Akey’s coaching pedigree is extensive. Before joining CMU, he served as the defensive line coach at Florida under McElwain in 2017. His resume also includes three years in the NFL, where he helped guide the Washington Commanders to a divisional championship in 2015.
Akey’s experience and defensive acumen have made him an indispensable part of CMU’s coaching staff, contributing significantly to the program’s resurgence under McElwain.
Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Backs, Michael Zordich
Michael Zordich has been a key figure in Central Michigan’s football program. Now in his fifth season with the Chippewas, he was recently elevated to the role of assistant head coach while continuing to oversee the defensive backs.
Zordich brings a rich football pedigree to CMU. He was an All-American at Penn State in the early 1980s and spent 12 seasons in the NFL. Before joining the Chippewas, he served as the defensive backs coach at Michigan from 2015 to 2020, where he played a pivotal role in establishing one of the nation’s premier pass defenses.
Under his leadership, Michigan’s defense ranked No. 1 nationally against the pass in 2016 and 2017, No. 2 in 2018, and No. 3 in 2015. During his tenure, Zordich coached three cornerbacks to All-America status, and his players were named semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award three times.
Running Backs, Cornell Jackson
Central Michigan’s run game has thrived under the direction of coach Cornell Jackson, who is now in his sixth year with Jim McElwain’s coaching staff. In 2023, Jackson oversaw a dynamic running back duo in Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey.
Despite facing injuries, the pair combined for 1,213 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and contributed 43 receptions for 412 yards. Lukes also earned first-team All-MAC honors as a kick returner.
With over 34 years of experience in college coaching, Jackson brought a wealth of expertise to Central Michigan, having previously coached at prominent programs in the best conference in college football.
Throughout his career, he has developed several players who have achieved All-America and all-conference recognition. Many of them have been drafted into the NFL and found success at the professional level. Jackson’s impact has been critical to sustaining the Chippewas’ potent rushing attack.
Special Teams Coordinator/ Safeties, Keith Murphy
Keith Murphy is entering his fifth season as Central Michigan’s special teams coordinator and safeties coach. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in player development.
He joined CMU under McElwain after a successful stint as a special teams quality control assistant at Florida from 2016 to 2019, where he worked closely with McElwain during his tenure as the Gators’ head coach from 2015 to 2017.
During his time at Florida, Murphy was instrumental in developing several players who excelled at the professional level.
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This includes NFL kickers Evan McPherson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Eddy Pineiro of the Carolina Panthers, All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend of the Kansas City Chiefs, and XFL punter Johnny Townsend of the Orlando Guardians.
Murphy’s coaching journey also includes stops at Southern Illinois, New Mexico State, and Eastern Washington, where he spent eight years honing his craft. He also gained valuable experience in the NFL, serving as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Rams from 2007 to 2008.
At Central Michigan, Murphy has continued to elevate the special teams unit. In 2023, his efforts were highlighted by Marion Lukes, earning First Team All-MAC honors as a kickoff returner.
CMU led the nation with seven blocked kicks the previous year, a standout achievement that earned Murphy recognition as a finalist for the Football Scoop National Special Teams Coach of the Year award.
Run Game Coordinator/ Offensive Line, Tavita Thompson
Tavita Thompson is in his seventh season with Central Michigan football, leading the run game and offensive line as the coordinator and position coach.
His journey with the Chippewas has been marked by evolving roles. He began as the tight ends coach in 2018, transitioned to tackles and tight ends coach from 2019 to 2021, and served as the pass game coordinator and tight ends coach in 2022.
Before joining CMU, Thompson worked closely with the tight ends for three seasons as a graduate assistant at Nebraska. His efforts there helped develop talents like Cethan Carter, who advanced to the NFL, and Tyler Hoppes, who set a Nebraska record with 34 receptions in a season for a tight end.
Thompson’s coaching career includes a tenure at Oregon State from 2012 to 2014, where he served as a graduate assistant focusing on tight ends and the offensive line. He began his coaching career as the defensive line coach at Pacific from 2011 to 2012.
As a player, Thompson was a key figure on Oregon State’s offensive line from 2004 to 2008, contributing to the team’s four consecutive bowl victories. He played in 18 games during his college career. He later had a brief professional stint, including preseason action with the New York Jets in 2009 and a season with the Sacramento Mountain Lions in the United Football League in 2010.
Linebackers, Ryan McNamara
Ryan McNamara is entering his second season as Central Michigan’s linebackers coach, having made a significant impact in his first year with the program.
In 2022, McNamara was the program’s general manager, leading the recruiting and player personnel departments. His efforts culminated in Central Michigan signing the top-ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference for 2023.
With 17 years of coaching experience, McNamara has coached ten teams that earned bowl game appearances. Twelve of his former players have gone on to careers in the NFL. His coaching career also includes 11 years in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference, with stints at both Florida and Mississippi State.
McNamara’s blend of coaching expertise and recruiting acumen has quickly become an asset to the Chippewas, where he plays a vital role in the program’s growth and success.
Defensive Line, Jessie Williams
Jesse Williams, a 35-year college football coaching veteran, is gearing up for his second season as Central Michigan’s defensive line coach in 2024.
In his inaugural year with the Chippewas, Williams led a seasoned defensive front anchored by Jacques Bristol, Robi Stuart, Jason Williams, and Maurice White. Under his guidance, the unit tallied 16.5 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hurries.
Williams has dedicated his entire coaching career to mentoring defensive linemen. He launched his coaching career at Sonoma State, his alma mater, in 1988 and has since brought his expertise to programs such as Portland State, Eastern Washington, Holy Cross, San Jose State, Colorado State, Nebraska-Kearney, New Mexico State, Ohio, Kansas, and most recently, Eastern Kentucky.
Tight Ends/ Tackles, Brandon Torrey
Brandon Torrey, a five-year NFL veteran, is entering his second season as the tight ends and offensive tackles coach at Central Michigan’s football program.
In his debut year with the Chippewas, Torrey made an immediate impact. Offensive tackle Brayden Swartout earned Second Team All-MAC honors under his guidance, while the tight end unit contributed 16 receptions for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
Quarterbacks, Jake Kostner
Jake Kostner is set to begin his second year as Central Michigan’s quarterbacks coach, marking his second stint with the program. In 2019, Kostner previously served as an offensive graduate assistant for the Chippewas, working under McElwain.
Before joining Central Michigan, Kostner gained valuable experience as a four-year student assistant at the University of Michigan, where he worked with both Jim Harbaugh and McElwain. In addition, he interned with the Cleveland Browns during the summer of 2017.
Wide Receivers, B.T. Sherman
B.T. Sherman was named Central Michigan’s wide receivers coach in February 2024.
Sherman comes to Central Michigan after spending the past two seasons at Morgan State, where he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, returning to his alma mater, where he once excelled as a player.
Before his tenure at Morgan State, Sherman spent five years on the coaching staff at Norfolk State, where he held key positions as running backs coach, offensive coordinator, and associate head coach.
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