University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Manny Flores
Littrell Completes Coaching Staff
2/1/2021 12:30:00 PM | Football
DENTON – Head coach Seth Littrell completed his 2021 coaching staff by adding Blake Joseph as quarterbacks coach, Jarred Holley as cornerbacks coach and Matt Passwaters as defensive line coach, Littrell announced Monday.
Joseph arrives in Denton after spending five seasons at Magnolia West High School, the last two of which he spent as head coach. Magnolia West averaged 41.8 points per game in 2020, including a record-setting 97-0 win over Caney Creek. The Mustangs posted 32.7 points per game in 2019, Joseph's first season at the helm, and reached the playoffs.
A three-year offensive coordinator on staff prior to his head coach appointment, Joseph oversaw a major uptick offensively for the Mustangs. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2016, Magnolia West averaged 24.8 points per game, 33.5 in 2017 and 40.3 in 2018. He also coached the Montgomery County Player of the Year (2018) in quarterback John Matocha, who now plays at the Colorado School of Mines.
Joseph also coached at Caldwell High School and Temple High School before making the move to Magnolia West.
Joseph played quarterback at Houston from 2005-08, where he appeared in 22 games for the Cougars, completing 120-184 passes for 1,581 yards and 10 touchdowns. He concluded his playing career at Sam Houston State, where he appeared in 10 games for the Kats, completing 180-295 passes for 2,440 yards and 14 touchdowns.
"I am very happy to have the opportunity to add a bright, young offensive mind like Coach Joseph to our staff," Littrell said. "He's done a great job developing his quarterbacks over the years, and certainly has great playing experience to share with our talented quarterback room. I'm very excited to welcome him to our family here in Denton."
Holley spent the past three years at Albany as the Great Danes' safeties coach. The Great Danes did not participate in the fall season, due to CoVID-19. During the 2019 season, safety Josh Wynn finished with 96 total tackles (53 solo) with a tackle for loss, a half sack, a team-high four interceptions, three pass break-ups and forced a pair of fumbles in 14 appearances, helping Albany to a 9-5 season.
Holley, a four-year starting defensive back at the University of Pittsburgh, came to the Great Danes from Arizona State, where he worked since 2015, serving as a graduate assistant on both the special teams and defensive staffs before working as a defensive analyst in 2017.
At Pittsburgh, Holley was a two-time Big East All-Academic Football Team Honoree and two-time member of the All-Big East team. He finished his career with 11 interceptions and attended mini-camps with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing as an undrafted free agent.
"Bringing a coach with the coaching and playing experience of Coach Holley to our program is something I'm very excited about," Littrell said. "He has familiarity and experience with Coach Bennett's scheme, having played for him at Pitt, and also spending time on staff in Tempe alongside him as well, which is only going to enhance our transition defensively."
Passwaters spent the 2020 season working as a quality control assistant on the offensive side of the ball at Hawai'i on Todd Graham's staff.
Prior to his time on the big island, Passwaters was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, New Mexico State, on offense (2018-19) and defense (2017). He helped the Aggies reach their first bowl game in 57 years (the Arizona Bowl).
Passwaters played on the offensive line at New Mexico State from 2008-09 after beginning his career at San Diego Mesa College (2006-08).
"Coach Passwaters is going to bring great energy to our defensive staff," Littrell said. "I can't wait for him to get here to Denton and join our family."
Joseph arrives in Denton after spending five seasons at Magnolia West High School, the last two of which he spent as head coach. Magnolia West averaged 41.8 points per game in 2020, including a record-setting 97-0 win over Caney Creek. The Mustangs posted 32.7 points per game in 2019, Joseph's first season at the helm, and reached the playoffs.
A three-year offensive coordinator on staff prior to his head coach appointment, Joseph oversaw a major uptick offensively for the Mustangs. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2016, Magnolia West averaged 24.8 points per game, 33.5 in 2017 and 40.3 in 2018. He also coached the Montgomery County Player of the Year (2018) in quarterback John Matocha, who now plays at the Colorado School of Mines.
Joseph also coached at Caldwell High School and Temple High School before making the move to Magnolia West.
Joseph played quarterback at Houston from 2005-08, where he appeared in 22 games for the Cougars, completing 120-184 passes for 1,581 yards and 10 touchdowns. He concluded his playing career at Sam Houston State, where he appeared in 10 games for the Kats, completing 180-295 passes for 2,440 yards and 14 touchdowns.
"I am very happy to have the opportunity to add a bright, young offensive mind like Coach Joseph to our staff," Littrell said. "He's done a great job developing his quarterbacks over the years, and certainly has great playing experience to share with our talented quarterback room. I'm very excited to welcome him to our family here in Denton."
Holley spent the past three years at Albany as the Great Danes' safeties coach. The Great Danes did not participate in the fall season, due to CoVID-19. During the 2019 season, safety Josh Wynn finished with 96 total tackles (53 solo) with a tackle for loss, a half sack, a team-high four interceptions, three pass break-ups and forced a pair of fumbles in 14 appearances, helping Albany to a 9-5 season.
Holley, a four-year starting defensive back at the University of Pittsburgh, came to the Great Danes from Arizona State, where he worked since 2015, serving as a graduate assistant on both the special teams and defensive staffs before working as a defensive analyst in 2017.
At Pittsburgh, Holley was a two-time Big East All-Academic Football Team Honoree and two-time member of the All-Big East team. He finished his career with 11 interceptions and attended mini-camps with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing as an undrafted free agent.
"Bringing a coach with the coaching and playing experience of Coach Holley to our program is something I'm very excited about," Littrell said. "He has familiarity and experience with Coach Bennett's scheme, having played for him at Pitt, and also spending time on staff in Tempe alongside him as well, which is only going to enhance our transition defensively."
Passwaters spent the 2020 season working as a quality control assistant on the offensive side of the ball at Hawai'i on Todd Graham's staff.
Prior to his time on the big island, Passwaters was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, New Mexico State, on offense (2018-19) and defense (2017). He helped the Aggies reach their first bowl game in 57 years (the Arizona Bowl).
Passwaters played on the offensive line at New Mexico State from 2008-09 after beginning his career at San Diego Mesa College (2006-08).
"Coach Passwaters is going to bring great energy to our defensive staff," Littrell said. "I can't wait for him to get here to Denton and join our family."
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