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Patridge's Staff Officially Finalized

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Per SID Katrina McCormack…

Florida Atlantic University Head Football Coach Charlie Partridge has completed his coaching staff with the additions of Nick Caley and Corey Bell.

Caley will be the secondary coach and Bell will be the co-secondary coach, both focusing their attention toward the defensive backs, a unit where the Owls excelled in 2013 ranked No. 2 nationally in passing yards allowed. The duo also will enjoy the return of rising senior D’Joun Smith who ended his junior campaign ranked No. 2 nationally in passes defended and No. 3 in interceptions, while leading Conference USA in both categories.

“Nick Caley is one of the hardest working coaches and recruiters I have ever worked with,” said Partridge. “He will bring great attention to detail and demand the best from the defensive backs.”

Caley comes to FAU with nine years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, he served as the defensive graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas for one season, the same season Partridge was with the Razorbacks. Caley also served stints at Eastern Illinois University (2012 season), as a graduate assistant at Iowa State University (2009-11 seasons), the 2008 season with Auburn University and from 2005-08 with Akron University. He began his coaching career at his alma mater John Carroll University where he served as a student coach.

At each stop along the way, Caley was part of winning programs and often it was the turnaround season for the program. He was part of a staff that led Akron to the 2005 Motor City Bowl. While at Auburn, the defense finished with a No. 29 national ranking while the secondary was No. 18 in pass defense.  At Iowa State, the team participated in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (2011) and finished No. 8 nationally in turnovers gained. While at Eastern Illinois, Caley worked with the secondary and a team that captured the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Championship. He then moved to Arkansas where he was responsible for the nickel position as well as contributing to special teams.

Bell, a South Florida native, also will be the assistant director of player personnel.  The two-year letter winner from the University of South Carolina most recently served as the head coach at American Senior High School from 2011-13, where he led the school to three-consecutive district championship and three-consecutive play-off appearances. He earned his collegiate experience as the director of football operations at the University of Miami from 2007-10, where he was part of a staff that appeared in three bowl games in four seasons. Bell began his coaching career at Miami Edison Senior High School from 1997-07. While at Miami Edison, he was named the Miami Dolphins High School Coach of the Year (2003). Eighty-four of his players continued their playing careers at the Division I level and six were All-Americans. He led Miami Edison to five-consecutive playoffs, including three district championships and a 2003 sectional and regional championship.

“Coach Bell is a leader of student-athletes,” said Partridge. “He has tremendous knowledge of the defensive backfield. The respect for Coach Bell from the coaches in Florida is a testimony to what he stands for. He will be a tremendous asset for Coach Caley and Jared Allen."

Along with Partridge, the duo will join a staff comprised of Brian Wright, associate head coach /OC; Roger Harriott, assistant head coach/RB; Bart Miller, OL coach; Javon Dewitt, defensive coordinator/LB;  Roc Bellantoni, co-defensive coordinator/DL; Chris Hurd, special teams coordinator/TE; and Dan Shula, WR coach.

Four members of the coaching staff have attended South Florida high schools, three have based their careers on recruiting in South Florida, and four have head coaching experience – two at the college level and two at the high school level.

The staff will be supported by four graduate assistants – Stefan Gage, AJ Hopp, Jessee Rack and Graham Wilbert – all of whom were with the program in 2013. Former FAU quarterback and assistant coach, Jared Allen, is now the director of player personnel and external relations, while Heather Henderson will continue as director of football relations and Chuck Lobe as the team’s strength coach.
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