Gill Announces Coaching Staff Changes

Gerald Carr named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach; Charlie Jackson resigns from staff

Turner Gill

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo head football coach Turner Gill has announced two changes to his Bulls' coaching staff.

Gill has tabbed Gerald Carr, a 25-year coaching veteran who has experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Carr, who last served as assistant head coach and running backs coach at Baylor, replaces Alex Van Pelt who joined the Buffalo Bills staff in early February.

“Coach Carr has a phenomenal football mind,” said Gill. “We are so fortunate to have a coach of his experience and expertise to direct our offense and work with our quarterbacks.”

In addition, Gill announced that defensive coordinator/defensive backfield coach Charlie Jackson has resigned his position to pursue other opportunities. “The staff and players want to thank him for his hard work during his time at the University at Buffalo,” said Gill.

With Jackson's departure, Gill has announced that Jimmy Williams, the Bulls' linebackers coach, will serve as defensive coordinator, while R. Todd Littlejohn will take over the defensive backs. Gill is working to fill Jackson's departure with another defensive coach.

Carr, meanwhile, will bring great experience to the Bulls' offense having served in a variety of roles at programs ranging from the Big XII (Baylor), SEC (Kentucky), Big Ten (Indiana), ACC (North Carolina) and Pac 10 (Arizona), as well as spending four seasons as wide receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Carr has coached in four bowl games and twice in the NFL playoffs during his career.

A native of Davidson, NC, Carr has most recently spent three seasons at Baylor (2003-05) and one year at Kentucky (2002) and Indiana (2001). At Indiana, he coached current Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle-El to first-team All-America and Big Ten MVP honors as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

Carr also spent three years at North Carolina (1992-94) under current Texas mentor Mack Brown, helping the Tar Heels to the Peach, Gator and Sun Bowls in consecutive seasons. At UNC, Carr coached quarterback Jason Stanicek who left the Tar Heels as the school's career leader in total offense.

The following season, he entered the professional ranks with Philadelphia, where he would help the Eagles to the playoffs in 1995 and 1996. In Philly, Carr tutored wideout Irving Fryar – a key member of Coach Gill's record-breaking Nebraska offense in the early 80’s – to a Pro Bowl showing while setting a club record with 88 receptions.

Carr played collegiately at Southern Illinois, earning three letters at quarterback. He would later begin his college coaching career at his alma mater in 1982, serving as a graduate assistant.

02/28/2006