Feb. 22, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb announced today the hiring of Tony Elliott as an assistant coach.

Elliott, who spent the last two years as wide receivers coach at South Carolina State, will assume the same duties at Furman, according to Lamb. Current Paladin wide receivers coach Drew Cronic will take over coaching responsibilities for the program's tight ends.

Elliott's hiring fills the vacancy created by the departure of tight ends coach Des Kitchings in late January.

"Tony Elliott is an outstanding young football coach who comes to us very highly recommended by everyone who has worked with him," said Lamb in making the announcement. "He has strong state roots, is highly motivated and intelligent, and will be a fine role model and coach here at Furman. We are very pleased he is now a member of our staff."

A native of James Island, S.C., Elliott enrolled at Clemson in January of 1999 and joined the Tiger football program as a walk-on. As a member of special teams and as a wide receiver he lettered all four years and was selected team captain by his teammates in 2003. As a senior he caught 23 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in helping Clemson to a 9-4 record that included a 27-14 Peach Bowl victory over nationally sixth-ranked Tennessee.

Awarded a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Clemson in December of 2002, he sported a team best 3.55 grade point average as an undergraduate and twice captured CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. In addition he was presented Clemson's 2003 Dedication Award for demonstrating commitment, work ethic, and leadership in the weight room.

Following his tenure at Clemson he worked two years with Michelin North America before accepting a position as wide receivers coach at South Carolina State University in August of 2006.