Staff Directory
- Title:
- Safeties
- Email:
- Phone:
- 936 294-1735
Dovonte Edwards enters his second season as Sam Houston’s safeties coach in 2026 after joining head coach Phil Longo’s staff in 2025.
Edwards arrived in Huntsville following four seasons at Elon, where he served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2022-24. He initially joined the Phoenix as defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach in 2021.
In his first season as defensive coordinator, Elon ranked 19th nationally in FCS scoring defense, allowing 21.3 points per game, and seventh in fumbles recovered with 13. The Phoenix also finished 13th nationally in sacks and 21st in turnover margin.
Edwards helped develop seven all-conference players during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, including All-Americans Marcus Hillman and Caleb Curtain. Hillman finished fourth in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2022, while Curtain earned second-team All-America recognition from multiple organizations in 2023. Edwards also mentored safety Cole Coleman to first-team All-CAA honors in 2021.
Before Elon, Edwards coached defensive backs at NC Central from 2019-20, adding defensive pass game coordinator responsibilities in 2020. He helped the Eagles rank 11th nationally in FCS passing defense in 2019 and coached three All-MEAC defensive backs, including AFCA All-American and Senior Bowl selection Bryan Mills.
His arrival at Sam Houston reunited him with defensive coordinator Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, with whom he worked at NC Central in 2019.
Edwards spent two seasons at Morehead State, coaching defensive backs and serving as co-special teams coordinator in 2017 before becoming defensive coordinator in 2018. He previously worked as a defensive analyst and quality control coach at Furman in 2016.
He coached defensive backs and coordinated special teams at Kentucky Christian in 2014 before taking over as defensive coordinator in 2015. That season, the Knights led their conference and ranked 10th nationally in NAIA passing defense, while Aaron Cooper earned conference defensive player of the year and AFCA All-America honors.
Edwards began his coaching career at Northern Guilford High School in North Carolina in 2010, helping the program win its first state championship.
As a professional player, Edwards spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Detroit Lions, as well as the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. During his rookie season with Minnesota in 2005, he returned a Brett Favre interception for a touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Edwards played collegiately at NC State, contributing at wide receiver before moving to cornerback for his final two seasons. He was named the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Back and Most Versatile Athlete following his senior season and participated in the 2005 Hula Bowl. He also played basketball for the Wolfpack.
Edwards earned his bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management, with an emphasis in sport management, from NC State in 2012.
