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Joe Tumpkin, who spent the past three seasons on the defensive staff at Southern Methodist University, was named Pitt's new linebackers coach by Dave Wannstedt in February.
Tumpkin also coached the linebackers while with the Mustangs (2005-07), serving under then-SMU head coach Phil Bennett, who is now Pitt's defensive coordinator.
"The addition of Joe to our coaching staff fills three important needs for us," Wannstedt said. "Number one, Joe is a seasoned linebacker coach. Secondly, he has worked extensively with special teams. Finally, as a Miami native, he is very familiar with the state of Florida and has recruited there the last several years. We're excited about him joining us."
"I am tremendously excited about joining the University of Pittsburgh," Tumpkin said. "Coach Wannstedt is a great defensive mind and I'm looking forward to learning from him. Certainly I'm also glad to be reunited with Coach Bennett. Being at Pitt and competing in a top level conference like the Big East is a great opportunity and I couldn't be more thrilled."
While at SMU, Tumpkin oversaw the development of All-Conference USA linebacker Reggie Carrington. During the 2006 season, SMU earned bowl eligibility behind a defense that ranked 24th nationally against the run (107.5 yards/game).
In 2007, Tumpkin earned a coaching fellowship with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As part of the fellowship, he worked with Tampa Bay's coaching staff during the team's July training camp.
From 2002-04, Tumpkin served at Sam Houston State, where he coached the linebackers (2002-03) and secondary (2004). He was instrumental in the development of Sam Houston State linebackers T.J. Dribble, a two-time All-Southland selection, and Paul Donelson, who earned All-America honors. In 2004, the Bearkats captured a share of the Southland Conference championship, advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs and reached as high as No. 3 in the national rankings.
Tumpkin was the defensive coordinator at Lakeland College during the 2000 and '01 seasons. From 1998-99, he was the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Illinois, where he helped mold Bart Scott, who has gone on to be a Pro Bowl performer with the Baltimore Ravens. In 1996 Tumpkin coached the linebackers at Defiance College.
Tumpkin's additional experience includes graduate assistantships at Lakeland (1994), Northern Michigan (1995) and Western Michigan (1997).
As a collegian, Tumpkin was a team captain and four-year letterman at Michigan Tech. He earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan Tech in 1994.
Tumpkin and his wife Maria have two sons, Christopher and Nikolas. |
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