RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU football program announced a variety of staff promotions on Monday. Chris Franklin and Derek Day have been promoted to co-special teams coordinators, Mike Dietzel has been promoted to assistant head coach, and Caleb Cox has been elevated to recruiting coordinator. 

Franklin completed his second season as defensive backs coach in 2022 as Colonel defensive backs tallied six of the team's 10 interceptions on the season. EKU defensive backs recorded 21 pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. The Colonels held five different opponents to less than 175 yards through the air. 

Day has served as outside linebackers coach for the past two seasons. Day helped coach linebacker Matthew Jackson to an All-American season in 2022. Jackson ranked third in the ASUN in tackles and made 41 stops over the final three games of the season. 

Dietzel is entering his third season as EKU's safeties coach. In 2022, three of EKU's safeties ranked in the top-11 on the team in tackling, led by Nic Cheeley's 57 stops. Safety Joseph Sayles returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay, while Mike Smith Jr. recorded his first career interception against North Alabama.

Cox has guided EKU's wide receivers since 2020. In his third season at EKU, the Colonel wide receivers helped quarterback Parker McKinney set single-season records for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. Three different wideouts caught at least 50 passes for at least 700 yards. EKU's passing attack topped 300 yards in nine different games, combining for 881 yards in the final two games of the season. The Colonels ranked third nationally in passing offense (329.7 yards per game), eighth in completion percentage (68.6%), and 11th team passing efficiency (161.26).