VIDEO: Antonio Goss Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Turner has announced the hiring of Antonio Goss as the program's new defensive backs and special teams coach.
Goss comes to Carson-Newman after serving on C-N alum and two-sport All-American Carl Torbush's staff at East Tennessee State. Goss takes the place of Dino Waites, who left to accept a position as co-defensive coordinator at Albany State.
"One of the biggest things that drew me here was to work with this coaching staff with Coach Turner and Coach Larry Slade," Goss said. "Coach Turner and I are both from Randleman, N.C. and Larry and I worked together at Louisville. I'm very happy for the opportunity to be here and work at Carson-Newman with some high class individuals."
The seven-year NFL veteran is a 1989 graduate of North Carolina. He finished with a degree in sociology. Goss starred as a linebacker and safety with the Tar Heels under coach Dick Crum, former University of Texas head coach Mack Brown and his then defensive coordinator Torbush.
Following his Tar Heel career, Goss was drafted in the 12th round by San Francisco and was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams (XXIV and XXIX), seeing action as a backup linebacker and captain of special teams.
He was chosen by his teammates to represent the 49ers as special teams captain along with defensive captain Tim McDonald and Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice in Super Bowl XXIX. He played the 1996 season with the St. Louis Rams, where he started five games and was a key special teams performer.
After concluding his NFL career he took his first coaching assignment as linebacker and strength and conditioning coach at East Chapel Hill (N.C.) High School, where he served for two seasons.
Goss served on Torbush's staff at ETSU for three years. Before that, he spent four seasons at Furman. He worked with current C-N defensive coordinator Larry Slade as safeties coach and special teams coordinator at Louisville (2009).
Prior to his stint at Louisville, he directed cornerbacks and special teams at Middle Tennessee State (2006-08) and served as both linebackers and cornerbacks coach at the University of Buffalo for five seasons (2001-05). He began his collegiate coaching career as linebackers and special teams coach at North Carolina Central (2000).
"The first thing that sticks out when you look at our guys are their athleticism and their desire and will to be good," Goss said. "You can tell they're working hard with Johnny Long in the weight room. I think there's a bright future for us back there."
Goss will work with a defensive backfield that returns all four starters and includes the South Atlantic Conference's two interceptions leaders in All-American Darius Williams and All-SAC selection Desmond Fairell.
