January 1st, 2026 12:00pm
Introductory press conference
From cneagles.com
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope announced the promotion of C-N defensive coordinator and reigning AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Tyler Almond be the Carson-Newman football program's 21st head coach during a press conference Thursday morning at the Ken Sparks Athletic Complex.
"Coach Almond has distinguished himself on the defensive side of the football as one of the top coaches in the nation," Carson-Newman University President Dr. Charles A. Fowler said. "He is committed to Carson-Newman's brand of triple option football and I feel confident he will continue building a winning tradition. Thankfully he is committed to doing so while prioritizing character development and academics. We've watched him coach for two years. He has embodied the best of C-N's legacy in football while demonstrating an ability to continue growing the program. I anticipate great successes from his players on the field, in the classrooms, and in life following Jesus Christ. Great days are ahead for our great program."
The decisive move comes a mere 42 hours after Ashley Ingram announced his resignation to take over the reigns at VMI.
"This is a critical transition and we wanted to move quickly," Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope said. "We received a tremendous amount of correspondence from people who either wanted the job or wanted to suggest someone for the job. I appreciate that our head football coaching position is worthy of that national attention with just the announcement that Coach Ashley Ingram was leaving us for VMI.
"We wanted someone with strong Christian faith and character. Someone who could lead. Someone who is a good recruiter and knew this area, region and conference well. We wanted a lot of things, and to make sure that this person was a good fit for this institution. God's man presented himself to us in Tyler, and for that we are grateful."
The Sacramento State graduate becomes just the fifth non-alum to lead the football program. Almond joins Ingram, Johnny Wike (1973-77), Richie Gaskell (1966-69) and Bob Davis (1964-65) as the only football coaches since the 1920s who have been the program's head coach without also graduating from C-N.
"I told my wife, God is going to put us exactly where he wants us to be and where He intends for us to be," Almond said. "There's no doubt in my mind that God has put us exactly where we need to be and where he intends for us to be."
On Dec. 9, Almond was named the American Football Coaches Association Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. Almond becomes the fourth coach at Carson-Newman to win the award, joining Mike Turner (2003), David Needs (2009) and Deno Waites (2013). With Almond's selection in 2025, Carson-Newman becomes the only program with four AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year honorees.
In his second season as Carson-Newman's defensive coordinator, Almond has turned the Eagles into one of Division II's top units after arriving in 2024 as linebackers coach.
"I'm thankful for Matt Pope and Dr. Fowler for entrusting me to serve and lead this storied program," Almond said. "They understand the landscape of college football today. Most hiring committees take two weeks to get a coach to the podium, they did it in 42 hours. They have set us up for success to retain our current roster and hit the ground running in recruiting a 2026 class that Carson-Newman will be proud of. I promise you that you have hired a tireless coach who will continue to serve these young men, their hearts and not their talents. We will make this university proud, that's my promise."