Toledo head coach Jason Candle promoted two staff members to new coaching positions, the school announced on Monday. Kevin Beard and Nate Cole will move from positions related to player development to be the new wide receivers coach and running backs coach, respectively.
Cole joined the Toledo coaching staff in 2016 after previously playing college football for the Rockets from 2006 through 2010 and serving as a graduate assistant from 2011 through 2013. Cole takes over the role on the coaching staff as running backs coach previously filled by Kerry Dixon, who has since departed the Toledo program to be the new wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech. Cole most recently held the title of Director of Player Development for one year after two years as the Director of Player Personnel.
Beard is a newer addition to the Toledo football staff, joining the Rockets a year ago after holding previous jobs at Miami, Georgia, and Tennessee. Beard takes over as wide receivers coach following the departure of Mike Bellamy to Illinois. Beard took over the role of Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Toledo in 2018 when he joined the program.
“We are very excited to move Kevin Beard and Nate Cole into their new roles as position coaches,” Candle said in a released statement. “Both men have the experience necessary to assume the responsibilities as a position coach. Kevin has previously coached wide receivers at some very strong programs, while Nate has been an important part of our program as a player or coach for the better part of a decade. I know they will be a great addition to our program as we strive to get better every day.”