Charleston, W. Va. – With spring practices beginning this week, the Golden Eagles have made a few changes on staff following the promotion of Michael Tesch to the head coach position for the upcoming 2025 season.

After serving a year with the Golden Eagles as the corners coach in addition to being the strength and conditioning coordinator, Alex Daugherty has been promoted to the defensive coordinator role following the departure of former DC Marshall Cooper. Cooper had spent three years with Charleston and now serves as the linebackers coach at Division I Robert Morris.

In 2016, Daugherty immediately began his coaching career following his graduation from Marshall University, coaching the offensive line at Riverside High School in Belle, WV. In 2018 at 23-years-old, he became the youngest head coach in West Virginia High School history. After an eight-year stint, Daugherty moved up to the collegiate level and resumed his coaching career in the corners room. Following the promotion, Daugherty expressed his gratitude for receiving the new title.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Tesch and The University of Charleston for this new opportunity as Defensive Coordinator. Football is built on trust, effort, and a relentless pursuit of getting better every day. I'm looking forward to pouring everything I have into these players and this program. We're going to be a defense that plays fast, plays physical, and most importantly, play for each other."

The Golden Eagles will also see a new member joining the staff for the upcoming 2025 season. Following his time at Texas Wesleyan, Jourdyn Thompson joins the staff as the new wide receivers coach for the upcoming year. Thompson previously served as a Quality Control Analyst and Recruiting/Personnel Assistant at the University of Miami.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to join this prestige program here at Charleston," Thompson said. "Thank you to Coach Tesch and the athletic department for allowing me to join the family."