Kansas University football coach David Beaty has put the finishing touches on his KU coaching staff, a source told The Journal-World on Wednesday.
Kenny Perry, who spent the past two seasons at TCU, has agreed to join the Jayhawks as a defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator.
Known for his recruiting prowess throughout Texas, Perry, a former Texas high school football coach, comes to KU with 22 years of coaching experience and is the final full-time assistant coach hired by Beaty.
Before joining the TCU program, where he spent the 2013 season as the director of high school relations and recruiting and 2014 as TCU’s cornerbacks coach, Perry served as the head coach at Bowie High in Arlington, Texas, from 2006-12. Prior to that he was the head coach at Haltom High School (2004-05) and Arlington Sam Houston (2000-03).
One source said Perry’s addition, along with Beaty’s already strong reputation, should further strengthen KU’s recruiting presence in Texas and put the Jayhawks back on the map for some of the state’s top players.
Perry joins Rob Likens (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Clint Bowen (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Zach Yenser (offensive line), Calvin Thibodeaux (defensive line), Klint Kubiak (wide receivers), Gary Hyman (special teams/tight ends), Reggie Mitchell (running backs/recruiting coordinator), Kevin Kane (linebackers) and Je’Ney Jackson (director of strength and conditioning) on the KU staff.
Beaty and his assistant coaches were set to hit the road today to finalize their recruiting for the 2015 class. Sources have indicated that the Jayhawks are still looking to add a couple of offensive linemen, likely tackles, a couple of linebackers, a defensive back or two and possibly a quarterback.
Beaty confirms Hyman hire
As reported by The Journal-World on Tuesday, the hire of Gary Hyman as KU’s special teams and tight ends coach was confirmed by Beaty on Wednesday. Hyman comes to Kansas after having spent time in various roles at Texas A&M, UTEP and USC.
“I’m very excited about Gary Hyman coming aboard here at Kansas,” Beaty said. “Gary is among the most knowledgeable and hardest working coaches I’ve ever worked alongside. He has trained under some of the best special teams mentors the game has to offer. The energy and enthusiasm Gary brings to the table, will most certainly help elevate our team.”
Hyman was part of a group of new assistant coaches who met with the media on Wednesday and he said his new boss played a big role in his decision to join the Jayhawks.
“He is fired up and brings energy,” Hyman said of Beaty. “That fits right in with my personality and how I coach. Having the opportunity to coach with him for a year at Texas A&M, you would like nothing better than to be under him in a full time position. That and Lawrence, Kansas. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
