By Staff Reports
On Dec. 4 Bo Atterberry was introduced as the
19th head football coach in Southeastern ’s 100-plus year history.
Atterberry makes the move from assistant head coach and defensive coordinator after former coach Ray Richards resigned on Nov. 18.
“It is an honor to become the head coach at Southeastern,” said Atterberry. “This is a special place to me and it is a big reason that I’m even in the position to take this job. I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back to a place that has given so much to me.”
He joined the Savage Storm coaching staff prior to the 2013 season for his second stint as defensive coordinator for his alma mater.
“We are excited about the future of the Southeastern football program,” said Southeastern President Dr. Larry Minks. “Our goal is to be competitive in all areas at the University, including intercollegiate athletics. With his background and experience, we believe coach Atterberry will do an outstanding job in his new role as we move forward. Finally, I want to acknowledge Keith Baxter and the search committee for their hard work in the hiring process.’’
“It is an exciting time for Southeastern,” said Director of Athletics Keith Baxter. “Bo is a great fit for this program and he brings a passion for the game and for this University. He has played and coached here at Southeastern and has been a winner at both levels. He is also a proven head coach with a conference championship and a pair of NCAA post-season trips at Texas A&M-Kingsville.”
This is Atterberry’s second stop as a coach at SE after having served as the team’s defensive coordinator from 2004 through 2006.
In those three seasons guiding the Storm defense they won or shared in the LSC-North Division title three times while posting a dominating 13-2 record against league foes in that span.
His defense in 2004 led the LSC and was ranked No. 16 in the nation in total defense which helped guide the program to its first ever NCAA Division II Playoff berth.
His defense in 2004 led the LSC and was ranked No. 16 in the nation in total defense which helped guide the program to its first ever NCAA Division II Playoff berth.
His 2006 defense, the final year of his first stop at Southeastern, gave up fewer than 200 points on the season and allowed just 19.2 ppg while leading the conference in pass defense and allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete fewer than half their passes.
Under his tutelage for those three seasons nine SE defenders earned First Team All-Lone Star Conference honor, including the 2004 Linebacker of the Year and the 2005 Defensive Back of the Year.
Atterberry is a 1998 graduate of Southeastern where he started his coaching career as a student and graduate assistant.
Atterberry returned to SE as the defensive backs coach in 2003 before moving up to his role as defensive coordinator the following season.