MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football head coach Joey Jones announced the addition of Kane Wommack as defensive coordinator on Friday. Wommack joins the Jaguar coaching staff after spending the past two seasons at Eastern Illinois, where he worked as defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

"I am very excited to announce Kane Wommack as the new defensive coordinator at South Alabama," Jones said. "Kane is a very bright, energetic coach who will do great things with our defense. He is a man who will love the players and will also have one heartbeat with our staff."

Wommack helped the Panthers to a first-round appearance in the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, and a top-25 national ranking in the final polls. Under his direction, EIU defensive lineman Dino Fanti was named the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference co-Defensive Player of the year, as well as the College Football Performance Awards FCS Defensive Tackle of the Year and a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. EIU defensive back Jourdan Wickliffe earned first-team all-OVC honors in consecutive seasons under Wommack's direction.

The Panther defense ranked second nationally in interceptions (19), third in takeaways (31), fourth in pass efficiency defense (103.0), eighth in red zone defense (67.3%) and 10th in tackles for loss (98). EIU led the OVC in pass efficiency defense (91.8) and red zone defense (53.3%) last year, while ranking second in the league in scoring defense (19.8 ppg), pass defense (194.8 ypg), third-down defense (29.7 %), first-down defense (17.2%) and sacks (19).

In his first year at EIU, Wommack's defense ranked second in the conference in scoring and fourth in the OVC in takeaways. Four defensive players earned all-OVC honors in his first year at EIU.

Prior to joining the staff at Eastern Illinois, Wommack spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Mississippi, where he helped coach safeties. The Rebel defense ranked 36th in the nation in pass defense, and 38th in total defense in 2013. In 2012, the Rebels ranked 11th nationally in sacks and 25th in the country in rushing defense.

He coachced the defensive line at Jacksonville State in 2011, and helped the Gamecocks win a share of the OVC championship. Wommack spent the 2010 season as the quarterbacks coach at Tennessee-Martin.

Wommack played fullback at Arkansas from 2005-06, and helped the Razorbacks capture the 2006 SEC West Division title. He transferred to Southern Mississippi, and helped the Golden Eagles to three straight bowl appearances. Wommack earned his degree from USM in 2009, and began his coaching career there as a volunteer assistant coach.

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