CARROLLTON, Ga. - Head football coach Joel Taylor has nearly finalized his second staff at the University of West Georgia, announcing today the addition of Tripp Weaver to the staff as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.
Weaver, a veteran coach with experience both at the FCS and Group of Five levels, comes to Carrollton after spending the 2024 season on staff as the defensive coordinator at UAC foe Austin Peay.
"It's a pleasure to bring Tripp to the UWG family. I've known him for 10-plus years since we worked together at The Citadel, and I know what a bright, young coach he is in the profession," said Taylor. "I can't wait for him to get here and build the linebacker room and add to our defense."
In 2024 under Weaver, the APSU defense led the UAC in tackles for loss, racking up 72 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and was third in the league in scoring defense. It was also the best scoring defense in a season at Austin Peay since the Govs joined the UAC. In the secondary, APSU's defensive backs were top 10 in the country with 14 interceptions last season.
"I am excited to join the staff at UWG and I look forward to helping Coach Taylor and Mr. Carmichael fulfill their vision for this program and the We Are One initiative as we continue the transition to Division One," said Weaver. "After observing Coach Taylor, his staff and players this spring there is no doubt in my mind that we will compete for UAC championships in the near future and I am grateful to be apart of that journey. I look forward to representing the Red and Blue, serving our players and coaches along with the community of Carrollton. Go Wolves!"
Prior to his season in Clarksville, Weaver was on staff at his alma mater, East Carolina, for four seasons as safeties coach, and was part of a 2022 Birmingham Bowl win over Coastal Carolina. In those four years in Greenville, Weaver's safeties recorded a combined 37 interceptions and Julius Wood was a First Team All-AAC selection under his tutelage in 2023.
In total, three players earned All-League honors under Weaver at ECU, and in his career, Weaver has had a hand in developing 19 All-League level performers and eight All-Americans.
Weaver also has stops at Western Carolina, James Madison, and The Citadel. At Western, Weaver was the defensive backs coach in 2018 and 2019 before ultimately being promoted to defensive coordinator. Two of his players in that span, John Brannon and Marvin Tillman, went on to spend time in the NFL.
At JMU, Weaver served as recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach and was instrumental in back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association championships and successive trips to the FCS Championship Game that included a National Title in 2016. In that same two-year span, four cornerbacks were All-American selections.
From 2013-15, Weaver was the outside linebackers coach at The Citadel, winning a SOCON Championship and reaching the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
Weaver's coaching career began at his alma mater as an undergraduate defensive assistant under Skip Holtz, eventually becoming a graduate assistant and worked directly with cornerbacks and safeties following his ECU graduation in 2012.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Weaver has one son, Riley, who was born in May of 2024.
