Reports: Utah State co-defensive coordinator Kendrick Shaver joining Washington State staff

PULLMAN – Washington State has reportedly filled the position formerly held by outside linebackers coach Roy Manning, hiring Utah State co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Kendrick Shaver.

The news was first reported by UStateAggies.com, a 247Sports.com website, and later confirmed by the Seattle Times.

Shaver would presumably be the third and final coaching hire of the offseason by head coach Mike Leach, who also brought Tracy Claeys aboard to replace Alex Grinch and elevated former defensive quality control assistant Darcel McBath to assistant coach, filling the Cougars’ “10th assistant” position.

It’s unclear what position group Shaver would work with at WSU, but during his six seasons in Logan, he wore a variety of different hats, coaching the outside linebackers, the cornerbacks and the safeties. McBath is expected to work primarily with the Cougar defensive backs.

Shaver was part of an Aggies staff that went to five straight bowl games and helped USU win the 2012 Western Athletic Conference championship. In 2016, his secondary was one of the best in the nation, allowing 176.5 passing yards per game – third in the MWC and 10th nationally.

After the successful 2012 season, Shaver was named Co-Defensive Backs National Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com.

Before Utah State, Shaver had stints coaching the secondary at Northern Colorado (2007-10) and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (2006). The native of Eufaula, Oklahoma, played DB for two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before transferring to Missouri State.