By Valdosta State Athletics

MCKINNEY, Texas – Following the announcement of Valdosta State head football coach Tremaine Jackson heading to Prairie View A&M, Blazer Assistant Head Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator Trent Earley was named Interim Head Coach by Director of Athletics Troy Katen. 

 “Coach Earley has been a big part of our success on the field,” Katen said.  “He has tremendous relationships with all of our student-athletes, and we want to ensure that our culture and those relationships with our team stay intact.”

 Earley finished a record-setting third season at Valdosta State and also worked with special teams and the linebackers for the Blazers.  This season the Blazers went 13-1 with the program’s seventh trip to the NCAA National Title Game.   Earley came with Jackson to Titletown in 2022 after two seasons with Jackson at Colorado Mesa. 

 This season, Earley has helped the defense to the No. 9 total defense allowing just 254.5 yards per game, while the team is allowing just 11.0 points per game for second nationally entering the national title game. The Blazer “D” had three shutouts this season for the most in program history in a season.  Gradate defensive back Larry Elder was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the Gulf South Conference this season and earned multiple All-America honors.

 In 2022, the Blazers went 12-2 and earned a share of the Gulf South Conference title with continued success on the defensive end.  He also coached special teams for the Blazers as VSU was 102^nd nationally in 2022 in punting to fourth nationally in 2023 and 15^th this season at 38.82 yards per punt. 

 Prior to VSU, Earley led the defensive line at Colorado Mesa as he helped the team to a 10-3 record with Jackson in two seasons, including an 8-2 finish in the 2021 season and posted a thrilling 26-21 victory over then No. 3 ranked Colorado school of Mines. It was the Mavs’ first victory over a top five opponent since CMU became a NCAA Division II school in 1994.

The 2021 fall edition of the Mavericks finished 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 15.6 points per game, finished 10th nationally in total defense, 4th nationally in yards per play. In the COVID-shorten 2020 season, the Mavericks finished 2-1 holding opponents to 12.7 points per game, as well as 80 yards rushing a game. While also coaching current blazers Torren Calhoun to the defensive player of the year ballot for the RMAC, as well as Brian Rattery to a second team all-conference finish. With Mike Gayden and two others gaining honorable mention recognition. 

 Earley was elevated to defensive analyst in 2018 after joining the USF coaching staff in 2017 as a defensive graduate assistant working with the defensive line. In 2017, Earley worked with Bruce Hector, Mike Love and Deadrin Senat, who earned first team all-conference, while Senat was drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons.

Winning the Birmingham Bowl to cap an 11-2 finish in 2017.  At USF in 2019, the Bulls finished ninth nationally in turnovers forced. He also served as the on-field defensive end coach in the 2018 Gasparilla Bowl. 

 Before USF, Earley served as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas under Coach Charlie Strong, assisting LB Coach Brian Jean- Mary from 2015-2017. Earley assisted coach Jean-Mary with All-American and Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Malik Jefferson, and second team ALL-Big 12 performer Pete Jinkens. In the spring of 2015, Earley assisted North Texas as a special team’s analyst. 

 Earley was the graduate assistant linebackers coach in the fall of 2014 at Northwestern State. Helping the Demon defense to a huge win over FBS program and rival Louisiana Tech. The purple swarm defense finished third nationally in turnovers gained and fourth in the conference in total defense, while assisting in the development of 1st team all-southland selection Marion Chapman.

 At Oklahoma Baptist, Earley coached the outside linebackers/ rovers and helped guide the defense to a top ranking nationally in sacks per game, as well as finishing second nationally in total sacks in Fall 2013.

 Earley played collegiately as a linebacker at Texas Southern, where the tigers boasted a top- 10 nationally ranked defense, and at Southern Arkansas. After finishing a successful football playing career, Earley worked for the Muleriders working with the defensive Line and linebackers helping the team to a 9-2 finish in 2012, while also finishing his degree.

 In his time as a Mulerider, Earley played for David Reeves. Earley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Southern Arkansas. He then went on to graduate with a master’s degree in physical education, teacher education from Texas in 2017.

 He attended Lufkin High School (Lufkin, Texas) where he played baseball, basketball and football. On the gridiron, Earley made the All-District team in 2006 while helping the Panthers to a 39-3 record over three years.