BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford University has hired Chris Boone as an assistant football coach, head coach Pat Sullivan announced Friday.
 
"Coach Boone brings a lot of experience with him to Samford," Sullivan said. "He's been successful wherever he's been, and he has been a coordinator for several years with several different teams. He's coached every position on defense, and most importantly, he's a good person."
 
While at Samford, Boone will coach the Bulldogs' defensive line.
 
"He and his wife, Coco, have a great family," Sullivan said. "He should fit perfectly with the Samford family. We are excited about having him join our staff."
 
Boone comes to Samford from Northwestern State, where he served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2013. While at NSU, Boone coached the Demons' safeties.
 
Prior to working at Northwestern State, Boone served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Jacksonville State in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, his Jacksonville State defensive unit led the Ohio Valley Conference in red zone defense in league play.
 
In 2011, JSU won the OVC, going 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the league. Boone's defense led the OVC with 17 interceptions and in league games, led the OVC in rush defense (144.9 ypg), third down conversion percentage (67 percent) and scoring defense (24.8 ppg). Five of his players made All-Conference in his two seasons at JSU.


From 2006 to 2010, Boone was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Tennessee-Martin, reaching the FCS playoffs in 2006. During his time at UT-Martin, Boone helped the Skyhawks post their best five-season record (32-25) in school history. He coached two All-America linebackers in 2007 and 2008, and a 2006 Buck Buchanan Award nominee. Two of his defenses (2010, 2006) ranked in the top 12 nationally in total defense.
 
His 2010 defense led the OVC in total defense, ranking 12th nationally. UTM led the OVC in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, fewest first downs allowed and third down conversion defense. The 2006 UTM team won the OVC and finished 9-3 with a No. 13 national ranking. Boone's defense led the OVC in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense. Nationally, UT-Martin ranked sixth in total defense.
 
Boone's 2008 defense led the OVC in sacks, tackles for losses and fumble recoveries, while finishing third in the league in total defense. The 2009 defense was second in rush defense in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Boone coached at East Central Community College from 2004 to 2005. While at ECCC, Boone was the team's defensive coordinator, secondary coach, recruiting coordinator, academic advisor and strength and conditioning coach.
 
From 2002 to 2004, Boone coached at Nicholls State University. The 2003 Nicholls team played for the Southland Conference championship as two of Boone's linebackers earned All-Southland Conference honors for the second straight year. In 2002, Nicholls had its first winning season since 1996 (7-4) and finished with a No. 21 national ranking, leading the conference in scoring defense.
 
Boone has also coached collegiately at Arkansas-Monticello (2000-02), UAB (1999-2000), Pearl River Community College (1997-98) and Southern Mississippi (1996-97). He was a high school coach at Wayne County (Miss.) during the 1998 season.
 
While serving as a graduate assistant coach at UAB, Boone worked on the staff with Sullivan, and current Samford assistant coaches Brandon Herring and Ross Newton.
 
Boone, a 1997 graduate of Southern Mississippi, played at USM in 1995. Prior to that, he played at Jones County (Miss.) Junior College where he was a two-year starter and voted team captain in 1991 and 1992.
 
Boone and his wife, Coco, have three children, daughters Cameron and Casidee, and son Colton. 
 
Boone replaces Rory Segrest, who left Samford earlier this month for a position on the staff at the University of Arkansas.