RICHMOND, Ky. – New head coach Mark Elder announced the addition of three assistant coaches on Tuesday. 
 
Terry Heffernan will serve as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach.  Walter Stewart is the new defensive line coach.  Tommy Zagorski will coach tight ends and offensive tackles.
 
Elder also announced that Kevin Cristello will remain on staff as the director of football operations and Brad Queen will remain in the position of director of player development and video coordinator.
 
Heffernan comes to EKU after spending two seasons with the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL).  He served as the assistant offensive line coach in 2013, the offensive quality control coach in 2014 and was back as the assistant offensive line coach in 2015.  Before joining the Lions, Heffernan was an assistant at Wayne State for six seasons.  He spent five years as the offensive line coach, helping WSU to a school record 12 wins and a NCAA Division II runner-up finish in 2011.  He spent his final season at Wayne State (2012) as the offensive coordinator.
 
"Terry has unbelievable experience, having coached at Louisville, Michigan and in the NFL," Elder said.  "Terry's knowledge of the run game and pass protection will be extremely valuable to our offense.  He has an engaging personality and will be loved by our players."
 
Heffernan also worked as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Louisville (2004-05) and the University of Michigan (2005-07).  As a student-athlete, he helped Dayton capture four Pioneer Football League titles in four seasons.  He graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's in communications.
 
During the 2015 season, Stewart was the defensive ends coach at Florida A&M University.  Before that he worked at Tennessee as a student intern in 2013 and a graduate assistant in 2014.
 
Stewart was a defensive lineman at the University of Cincinnati for head coach Butch Jones.  He earned the team's most improved award and most outstanding defensive lineman award as a senior in 2012.  He helped the Bearcats win four Big East Championships and made four bowl appearances.
 
"Walter is a high energy coach that will connect well with our players," said Elder.  "Having played the position at a high level, Walter has great knowledge of the defensive line and is a tremendous technician.  He will bring a high level of toughness to the program."
 
Stewart earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at Cincinnati in 2012.
 
Zagorski was the assistant offensive line coach at Tennessee during the 2015 season.  Prior to his season with the Vols, Zagorski spent seven seasons working in a variety of roles at John Carroll University.  From 2010 to 2014 he was the offensive coordinator while also coaching the offensive line, tight ends and kickers.  In 2014 he was a finalist for the FootballScoop.com NCAA Division III Coordinator of the Year Award.
 
"Tommy is an outstanding coach with tremendous energy and enthusiasm," Elder said.  "His experience as a successful coordinator will bring great value to our offense.  He will build great relationships with our players on the team and with recruits."
 
Zagorski was an all-conference performer at Case Western Reserve University.  He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2007.  He completed a master's in school counseling at John Carroll in 2010.
 
Cristello joined the EKU football staff in August 2011 as the director of football operations.  He is in charge of equipment and travel arrangements for the football team as well as coordinating summer camp activities.  Queen has served in a variety of roles within the program since 2012.  Prior to the 2015 season he became the director of player development and video coordinator.
 
"Kevin and Brad's knowledge of Eastern Kentucky University and the Colonel football program will be an asset to our new staff," said Elder.