Emerald City Swagger
Fansided

Cougars Hire JaMarcus Shephard as New Receivers Coach

By James Loss

Oct 10, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Washington State University Cougars wide receiver Gabe Marks Jr. (9) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter in a game against the University of Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Washington State University Cougars wide receiver Gabe Marks Jr. (9) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter in a game against the University of Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Cougars hire JaMarcus Shephard as inside receivers coach.

Mike Leach announced on Monday that JaMarcus Shephard will be replacing David Yost as the Cougars’ inside receivers coach. Shephard previously coached at Western Kentucky University as the head receiving coach for the past 2 seasons.

Washington State’s receiving group is already a dangerous bunch behind the arm of Luke Falk. The Cougars finished 3rd in receiving yards last season, only being surpassed by Bowling Green and Shephard’s very own Western Kentucky. The addition of a dedicated and seasoned coach such as Shepard could be exactly what Cougars’ developing offense needs to become conference champions.

Shepard began his coaching career in 2005 at Northrop High school, where he worked with the teams receivers.  After two seasons coaching high school football and one season coaching track at Depauw University, Shephard spent 2007-2011 at the National Center for Drug Free Sport in Kansas City. Since 2011 Shephard has been coaching for Western Kentucky University. Starting as a volunteer assistant, he eventually ended up as the teams head receiving coach.

As a player, Shephard competed in the 2005 Hula Bowl  and 2004 Aztec bowl for Depauw University. He finished his collegiate career with 168 receptions, which ranks 5th all-time at Depauw and 2,382 receiving yards which ranks 6th all-time. Shephard also holds the title of the university’s all-time leader in kickoff return yards and kickoff return average.

More from Washington State Cougars

Western Kentucky runs an offense very similar to Washington State’s. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky QB, was the leading passer in college football last season with 5055 yards. Doughty’s favorite target, Taywan Taylor, finished the season in 3rd place for receiving yards with 1,467. Falk had a similar season, passing for 4,561 yards. Half of those yards were split between Gabe Marks and Don Williams who both caught for over 1,000 yards. Shephard is no stranger to an air-raid offense, meaning he’ll be a valuable mentor to a young group of receivers.

Home/Washington State Cougars