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Miami native who served as defensive backs coach at FAU the past two seasons named USF Defensive Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator.
University of South Florida head football coach Charlie Strong today announced the addition of Corey Bell as the Bulls’ defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator.
Bell, a Miami native, coached Florida Atlantic’s defensive backs the past two seasons and was previously the director of football operations at the University of Miami (2007-10). Bell also made a name for himself as a head coach at American Senior High School (2011-13) and Miami Edison Senior High School (1997-2007).
“Corey has had great success as a high school coach and a collegiate assistant in the state of Florida and has deep roots in the Miami area,” Strong said. “He started at cornerback in the SEC and will be a great teacher and mentor for our players at South Florida.”
A former starting cornerback at South Carolina, Bell coached a pair of FAU defensive backs to Conference USA Honorable Mention honors this past season. Sophomore Jalen Young posted 100 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Junior Raekwon Williams Jr. finished with nine pass breakups, 48 tackles and an interception.
“I’m excited to join Coach Strong and his staff and be a part of what is building at USF,” Bell said. “It is great to continue my coaching career in the state of Florida. I know the players and coaches in the state very well and have great respect for the talent that resides here. It’s an exciting time at USF, and I’m ready to get to work.”
In 2015, Bell’s first season with FAU, senior cornerback Cre’von Leblanc led the league with four interceptions on the way to All-Conference USA Second Team honors. As a freshman, Young earned Conference USA Honorable Mention honors after totaling three interceptions and 69 tackles.
Prior to FAU, Bell was the head coach at American Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, where he led the Patriots to three consecutive district championships from 2011-13. In between high school head coaching stints, Bell was the University of Miami’s director of football operations from 2007-10. Bell served as former head coach Randy Shannon’s daily external liaison, overseeing football matters relating to student-athletes, including budget, the training table, travel coordination and college compliance matters.
At 25 years old, Bell became the youngest head coach in the state of Florida when he took over the Miami Edison High School program that went 0-10 the season prior to his arrival. Bell quickly built Edison into one of Dade County’s top football programs. His teams made five consecutive state playoff appearances and won three-straight district titles. His 2003 team was ranked No. 1 in Miami-Dade County. Over his tenure (1997-2007), Bell had 84 Division I signees including six All-Americans. He was named the Miami Dolphins Coach of the Year for his work in 2003. His 2004 class earned a No. 3 national rank for Division I signees.
Bell was a two-year varsity letterman and starting cornerback at the University of South Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from South Carolina in 1995 and went on to earn his master’s degree in social studies education from Nova Southeastern in 2000.
Bell and his wife, Tamika, have two daughters, Daijah and Dahnia.
Season ticket deposits for the 2017 season start at $50 per seat and can be placed at USFBullsTix.com. The Bulls will play seven home games in Raymond James Stadium in 2017, hosting notable games vs. Illinois, Houston, Temple, Tulsa and Cincinnati.
Via USF Athletics
Sit Down With FAU Assistant Coach Corey Bell
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