When longtime assistant coach Steve Haywood elected to make a career direction change, it was only natural APSU head Rick Christophel to turn to one of Haywood's top offensive line pupils.
Tyler Trent was named offensive line coach just prior to spring practice start. He brings great knowledge of APSU's offensive system and even greater awareness of APSU's offensive line scheme.
Trent spent the 2010 season as the Governors defensive graduate assistant, working alongside defensive line coach Ryan Taylor. That was after spending four seasons as an anchor on the Govs offensive line, two as a starting offensive tackle, under the coach he replaced Haywood.
In his four-year career with the Governors Trent proved to be a solid contributor. A walk on who came to APSU as an offensive guard (he wore No. 61), he was shifted to tackle and, despite being undersized (6-1, 285) at the position, proved to be a solid technician. He started 22 straight games and was part of a 2009 offensive line that produced two first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference running backs in Terrence Holt and Ryan White.
As a graduate assistant, Trent's work with the defensive line only helped prepare him even more as an offensive line coach, learning techniques and schemes of players on that side of the ball. However, Trent's responsibilities were not limited to coaching defensive tackles. He also served as the team's video coordinator, assisting with opponent film breakdown in terms of game preparation. Trent brings viable personnel skills as well, having worked in player evaluation and aiding with out-of-state recruiting.
The Oak Ridge native graduated from Austin Peay, in Spring 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business management. A three-time member of the President's List (4.0 GPA) and Dean's List, he twice was an Academic All-America nominee and was selected to the 2010 Hampshire Society sponsored by the National Football Foundation.
