CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Former Tennessee Titans cornerback Dainon Sidney has joined Austin Peay State University's football staff for the 2008 football season's remainder.
He immediately begins coaching the APSU secondary during the Governors bye week. APSU resume plays, Oct. 18, at Tennessee State.
Sidney's addition helps alleviate a coaching shortage created when former defensive coordinator Granville Eastman was forced to leave the program prior to Week 2 (Georgia Southern) because of immigration issues.
“Dainon brings instant credibility to the program,” APSU coach Rick Christophel said. “He is a guy who played in the NFL for seven or eight seasons. He played on the (1999) Titans team that played in the Super Bowl?he played in the Super Bowl?so he understands what it takes to build a championship team.
“He knows what is going on out there on the football field; he has seen about it all, not that we expect him to have all the answers. His addition will allow me to move back over to the offense, in particular, to work with the quarterbacks, although I will continue to have my hand in the defense.”
Christophel is familiar with the former NFL player. Sidney played at UAB in 1996-97 while Christophel was serving as an assistant. The Atlanta native originally signed to play football and run track at East Tennessee before transferring to UAB. He left UAB third on the Blazers' all-time interception list (nine) and was a four-time All-Conference USA track performer.
Sidney was drafted in the fourth round of the 1998 draft by the Titans and played with them from 1998-2002. He was a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2003 before finishing his career in Detroit in 2004. He had six career interceptions, all with the Titans. He currently owns a construction business in the Nashville area.
“Dainon has gotten the itch to get back in the game,” Christophel said. “With our current situation it has worked out for him to get that start with us. It is a temporary situation with him, he understands that, but this will allow him to see what coaching at the college level is about.
“Dainon is just a real character guy. He is somebody I have known for quite awhile and have lot of trust in. I feel comfortable with him working with our young people. He certainly is someone our players can look up to.”
Since Eastman's departure, Christophel has spent a large majority of his time working with the defense, especially the secondary. However, when starting quarterback Gary Orr suffered torn thumb ligaments in the UT Martin game in September, Christophel also felt a great need to work with back-up quarterbacks T.C. Jennings and Trent Caffee.
“Dainon already has gotten to work, trying to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can,” Christophel said. “It's not an ideal situation for either side, but I know what he will bring to the football field.”
- AP-
