SMU head football coach Mike Cavan announced the hiring of five assistant football coaches Tuesday. Larry Kueck was named offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Pat Henderson assistant coach, Johnny Ringo wide receivers coach, Danny Baker tight ends coach and Oscar Giles assistant coach.
A 25-year offensive coaching veteran, Kueck returns to SMU after serving at Texas Tech (1991), Pacific (1992-93), Mississippi (1994), Navarro Junior College (1995), Marshall (1996), and Southern Mississippi (1997-99). He served as SMU's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 1990. Serving as offensive coordinator, Kueck's Southern Miss offenses were among the best in the nation. In 1997 and 1998, the Golden Eagles were one of only two teams in the country to have a 1,000-yard rusher, 1,000-yard receiver and a 2,000-yard passer. His other college coaching stops were Lamar (1986-89), Sam Houston State (1982-85), Rice (1981), Southwest Oklahoma (1980) and Stephen F. Austin (1975).
"Larry Kueck, who has excellent Texas ties, enjoyed tremendous success in numerous different jobs," said Cavan. "At Marshall, he was on a national championship coaching staff and at Southern Miss, they went to three bowl games and won two conference titles during his three years. I believe he is the best coach we could have gotten for this opening on our staff."
Henderson, whose responsibilities will be determined at a later date, comes to SMU from Tulsa. He served as Tulsa's defensive coordinator/linebackers coach from 1997-99 and in 1999, was the interim head coach at the school to close the season. He has 23 years of coaching experience and has seen seven of his former players at various stops reach the National Football League. Prior to his most recent stint at Tulsa, Henderson served on the coaching staffs at TCU (1994-96), Purdue (1990-93), Arizona State (1985-89), Tulsa (1983-84), Indiana State (1980-82), Nebraska-Omaha (1978-79) and Coffeyville Community College (1975-77). Henderson's son, Jeff, is a sophomore on the SMU football roster.
"Pat Henderson will work on the defensive staff with (SMU assistant head coach/defensive coordinator) Eric Schumann," said Cavan. "His experience as a defensive coordinator and interim head coach is outstanding. He is another coach who knows the state of Texas and will be a real asset to our program."
Ringo, who served as the head football coach at Coppell High School the past three seasons, will join the staff as a receivers coach. Ringo compiled a 21-12 record at Coppell, including an 11-2 mark in 1999 that earned him Coach of the Year honors by District 11-4A and The Dallas Morning News. He led Coppell to its first playoff appearance in 36 seasons in 1999. Prior to Coppell, Ringo made coaching stops at Irving MacArthur (1995-96), Uvalde (1993-94), Austin Westlake (1987-92), Texas (1987) and Texas Tech (1986). He was a wide receiver on Texas' 1983 Southwest Conference championship team.
"I've learned something new in each of the three years I've been here," said Cavan, "but the most important thing I've learned is that the high school coaches in Texas are the finest in the country. For us to land a coach of Johnny Ringo's capability and reputation is a major boost to our program."
A graduate of UTEP, Baker will serve as SMU's tight ends coach. He comes to SMU along with Larry Kueck from Southern Miss, where he coached tight ends the past three seasons. Baker was a two-time team captain as an offensive lineman at UTEP and honorable mention All-Western Athletic Conference selection. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at UTEP in 1995 and a graduate assistant with the Miners in 1996. He is a native of Phoenix, Ariz.
"Danny Baker will work with our tight ends," said Cavan. "I thought it was important that Larry Kueck have someone here who was familiar with his system and capable of helping him teach it to our offense. He played his college football at UTEP, so he understands the importance of recruiting in this state as well."
A former professional player in both the NFL and Canadian Football League, Giles served as a graduate assistant coach at Texas during the Longhorns' Cotton Bowl run in 1999. He was an assistant defensive line coach/strength and conditioning coach at Southwest Texas State in 1998. From 1991-93, Giles played defensive line and linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. He played in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts from 1994-97 and was part of two Grey Cup champion teams. Giles, who graduated from the University of Texas, was an All-Southwest Conference defensive end who was a standout on Texas' 1990 SWC championship team.
"Oscar Giles was a great player who was born here in Dallas," said Cavan. "Like all the other new members of our staff, he has great contacts here in the state of Texas, having played and coached at the University of Texas. We're excited to add him to our staff."
