Miami Gardens, Fla. – With the start of the 2025 season on the horizon, Associate Vice President For Athletics/Head Football Coach Bill Rychel rounded out his coaching staff with the addition of veteran Ed Warriner, Sidney Porter and Ja'Lon Hudgins while promoting Ertonn Chatelain to a full-time position.

Serving as the Tight End Coach for the Bobcats, Warriner heads to Miami Garden with over four decades of experience coaching National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I programs with stops at the University of Kansas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan and Florida Atlantic University. He was a part the first College Football Playoff National Championship team with the Buckeye's during the 2014 season and the their undefeated 2011 campaign.

"We are excited to add Ed to the staff," Rychel said. "He has coached at a high level for a long time. The experience and knowledge he brings will be a great addition to our program. He will have an immediate impact on our offense." 

Joining Warinner as newcomers on the sideline are Sydney Porter and Ja'Lon Hudges, who will be assisting the defensive backs and receivers respectively. No strangers to St. Thomas, Porter and Hudgins both played under Rychel at St. Thomas. A three-year letterman for the Bobcats, Porter made program history with the first All-American nod with Honorable Mention in 2020 before earning back-to-back Second Team distinctions to conclude his career. Hudgins was part of the Bobcats during the 2021-22 campaigns.

"Having Sidney and Jalon will be great for our program," Rychel said. "hey have helped to build our team over the years. Sidney was a great player for us, and Jalon has been helping coach after he was done playing. I am excited that they will be starting their coaching careers with us."

After two years as a graduate assistant, Chatelain joins the full-time ranks heading into the 2025 season. Under his tutelage, Nicholas Engler was a consensus All-American being recognized by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, Victory Sports Network and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was the 2024 Sun Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year after being the league's Defensive Player of the Year and AFCA All-American in 2023. He has been building the Bobcats' defense since its inaugural season when he played as a freshman.

"It is always special when you can grow your own," Rychel said. "Ertonn helped start the program as a player and has done a great job as a coach. He is a rising star in the profession and I am grateful to have him continue on our staff."

The Bobcats kick off the 2025 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 6 against the University of Fort Lauderdale with kickoff at AutoNation Field slated for 12 p.m.