FLORENCE, Ala. (February 25, 2025) – University of North Alabama head football coach Brent Dearmon announced his staff for the 2025 season on Tuesday, as the Lions added six new coaches and made a handful of title adjustments to current staff members.

The Lions recently completed National Signing Day on February 5, adding 28 newcomers to the roster. Eighteen of the 28 signees are from the state of Alabama.

UNA begins Spring Training on Tuesday, March 4 with the 2025 Spring Game set for Saturday, April 12.

"I am thrilled at the coaching staff we have here at UNA,” said UNA head coach Brent Dearmon. “We have brought in some guys that add many years of experience as coaches at high levels while also adding some younger guys with playing experience at extremely high levels. But the thing I am most excited about is all these men are amazing coaches, fathers and teachers."

Below is a breakdown of the completed coaching staff.

Brock Caraboa – Caraboa enters his third season on Dearmon’s staff as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Last season, Caraboa oversaw the defense and worked directly with the safeties group. This season, he will work with the linebackers.

Morgan Cruce – Cruce enters his third season on staff after working his first two seasons as running backs coach and director of football operations. This offseason, Cruce was promoted to offensive coordinator and will work with the tight ends position. Cruce will continue to oversee football operations in a supervisory role.

Kerryon Johnson – Johnson, a former NFL running back and 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year at Auburn, joined Dearmon’s staff in 2023 as the director of player development. This offseason, Johnson has taken over the running backs position and will be an on-field coach.

Remaining Staff – The following coaches will remain in their positions for 2025 — Luke Roth (Special Teams Coordinator), De’Von Lockett (Defensive Backs), Kyle Persons (Defensive Analyst), Ben Hamner (Director of Player Personnel).

Craig Schurig – A longtime coaching veteran, Craig Schurig joined the UNA staff earlier this month as quarterbacks coach. Prior to UNA, Schurig was head coach at NCAA Division II Washburn University for 22 seasons. He complied a career record of 142-109 and is the winningest coach in Washburn history. In the early part of his tenure, he coached current UNA Athletic Director, Dr. Josh Looney, who transferred to Washburn in 2002 and played until 2005. Schurig led the team to an MIAA Championship during Looney's senior season in 2005.

“Being part of Coach Schurig’s first teams and the championship transformation of his football program at Washburn has had a massive influence on my life. Coach Schurig is a first-class leader who elevates the standard of everyone around him. We’re fortunate to add his experience and leadership to the coaching staff at North Alabama. He will make an immediate positive impact on our players, coaches and football program.”

KJ Maye – Former NFL wide receiver KJ Maye will join the coaching staff in March to work with the wide receivers. Maye played at Murphy High School in the Mobile area, went on to a successful collegiate career at Minnesota, then played four seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots until 2018. Since 2020, he has served as a high school offensive coordinator in the Mobile County Public School System.

“Smart, awesome person, can’t hire a better one.”

Ben Thomas – In December, Dearmon announced the addition of former UNA player Ben Thomas as offensive line coach. A three-time conference champion from 2013-15, Thomas helped UNA compile a 28-8 record as a player. Thomas spent the last four seasons at Southern Miss, including this past season as the assistant offensive line coach. While at Southern Miss, Thomas helped the Golden Eagles achieve a 7-6 record in 2022 and win the LendingTree Bowl against Rice, 38-24, hosted in Mobile, Ala.

“Ben Thomas is a great person. He was a committed, unselfish and hardworking player. It’s a great hire for UNA.”

Steve Carter – A member of the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame, Steve Carter rejoins the college ranks to work with the defensive line. Carter volunteered with the defensive staff last season and has been in the coaching world since 1981. From 1993-2001, Carter was an assistant head coach at both Delta State and North Alabama. He has also coached at nine nearby high schools over his career, most recently at Athens High School under UNA Hall of Fame quarterback Cody Gross. Carter has worked with defensive line and linebackers and assisted the strength and conditioning efforts at Athens since 2017.

“I worked alongside Steve Cater for a total of nine years at both the high school and college level. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the game of football. He is a “man’s man” and is passionate about the great game of football and the men who play it. He is one of the most generous people I have ever come in contact with. He exudes toughness, yet he loves to help people and has a heart the size of Texas.”

DeeAndra Ervin – One of Dearmon’s former players at Arkansas Tech, DeeAndra Ervin will join the UNA defensive staff this spring as the safeties coach. Ervin most recently worked at Oklahoma Baptist University as the defensive backs and returners coach. Before beginning his coaching career, Ervin was an all-conference performer at Arkansas Tech and Colorado Mesa from 2017-21. Ervin also has Mobile ties, as he is a 2013 graduate of Fairhope High School in Daphne, Ala.

“DeeAndre Ervin is one of the best defensive backs I’ve ever coached. I knew early he would be a coach because of his passion and love for our game. I know that he will inspire the hearts and minds of his players to continue to make our world a better place using the game of football.”

Tiger Jones – A former NFL and Arena Football League wide receiver, Tiger Jones joined the staff this offseason as the Director of Football Performance. Jones is from the Mobile area, where he played at St. Paul’s Episcopal School and went on to a successful college career at Louisville. He played for the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles and also enjoyed an eight-year career in the AFL. As a strength and conditioning coach, Jones has worked at Alabama, Texas A&M, Louisiana, Arizona and Florida. He was most recently working with Alabama’s football, track and field and cross country programs.

“Tiger is committed to doing what’s best for his athletes and will work tirelessly to help them reach their potential.”