VIDEO: Leonard Weaver Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney has announced the hiring of Carson-Newman and South Atlantic Conference Hall of Famer and former Philadelphia Eagle Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver as the program's new running backs coach and offensive quality control assistant.
With the hiring, Josh Turner makes the move back to the position he played at Carson-Newman and the offensive line where he will coach with Joe Ray.
"We are super excited about bringing Coach Weaver on staff," Clowney said. "He is a true Carson-Newman Eagle and brings a wealth of knowledge in every aspect of what we do on and off the field."
Weaver led Carson-Newman to the second round of the NCAA playoffs on three occasions and helped guide the Eagles to a trio of South Atlantic Conference regular season titles before pursuing a five-year NFL career that led to a pair of all-pro selections.
He began his college football career at Carson-Newman as a linebacker, making nine tackles in two starts as a redshirt freshman in 2001.
The next year he moved to tight end. In 2003, Weaver hauled in 16 receptions for 410 yards and six TDs. In the Division II Playoffs that year, he hauled in a 67-yard touchdown reception.
In his final year, still a tight end, Weaver earned Division II All-American honors from the AP, American Football Coaches Association and others.
"It's a little unreal for this to come full circle," Weaver said. "To be at this point in my life and to have this opportunity at Carson-Newman, I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself. I get to grow again while giving back."
He led the 9-3 Carson-Newman Eagles to a conference championship and the second round of the Division II playoffs with 27 catches for 571 yards and eight score, leading all Eagles receivers.
Weaver was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and converted to the fullback position. After starting fullback Mack Strong suffered a herniated disk in his neck, prompting him to retire, Weaver was named the Seahawks starting fullback.
His first start was against the New Orleans Saints, where Weaver had three carries for 40 yards and three receptions for 53 yards. He recorded his first touchdown against the St. Louis Rams on November 25, 2007 on a 5-yard run.
Weaver, who was an unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season, signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 20, 2009. He scored his first touchdown as a Philadelphia Eagle on November 1, 2009 against the New York Giants on a 41-yard run. Weaver finished the season as the best fullback in the NFL. His rushing total was his career high, with 70 carries for 323 yards and one touchdown.
"I get to bring an element of the game from what I was able to grasp playing in the NFL," Weaver said. "I want to implement it here and translate it to our players here so they have the expectations of what things are going to be like."
However, he was most valued for his blocking ability. Weaver was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a starting fullback. He was also voted to First Team All-Pro for the 2009 season.
As a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, Weaver signed a three-year contract worth $11 million with $6.5 million guaranteed. This deal made him the highest paid fullback in NFL history.
He was nicknamed "The Bishop" at Carson-Newman for his proclivity to spend free time traveling with a ministry in the off-season singing Christian themed R&B music.
Weaver spent the last two years coaching at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth, Fla.
