Jake Grande was added to the Valdosta State football coaching staff in the summer of 2016, prior to the start of the 2016 season.
Grande is expected to serve as both a special teams and wide receivers coach, the latter of which will be an important role under Coach Bell, who has stated his intentions of offering up a high powered air attack.
"I am a very energetic and positive coach on the field," stated Grande. "I hope that my excitement in coaching will get my players excited when they attack the field. I'm hoping that the energy these receivers bring will help them stretch the field and open it up forÂ
Kerwin Bell's passing attack so we can have a great year at the receiver position."
There's no denying that a transition will be in place for Grande, who has spent a majority of his career as a defensive coach. Grande is no stranger to Coach Bell's approach on offense, however, after having worked with the head coach since 2011 at Jacksonville University.
During his stint at JU, Grande started with a bang as the defensive backs coach and led his secondary to a No. 12 pass defense ranking among all NCAA Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs. By 2015, the Dolphins had progressed to a No. 1 ranking in the FCS in interceptions, and Grande helped lift the team to No. 4 ranking in pass defense efficiency and a No. 6 overall ranking in scoring defense in 2014.
Grande also served as an assistant to the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football League team during his same years at Jacksonville University, and preceded his time with those two programs as an assistant coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of Arena Football League fame, where he helped guide the Pioneers to a No. 1 ranking in scoring defense, turnover margin, and fumble recoveries in just his second year with the organization.
In addition to responsibilities as an instructor to the Blazer receiving corps during the upcoming season, Grande will also contribute as a special teams coach. His experience as a player at Wilkes University, where he served as a team captain and achieved All Conference recognition as both a cornerback and a return specialist, will no doubt help in his efforts.
"When I heard about the position, I was excited," added Grande. "I know Coach Bell has a strong passion for the game of football, and Valdosta State has a tremendous tradition of great teams and great coaches. Those two things, along with the evidence of great support from the community, led me to the program. After coming in for a few days and seeing first-hand how the team and the players have responded to what's happening at Valdosta State, I couldn't be more excited for next season."
