Football Program Adds Two Assistant Coaches to Staff
The Centenary College Football program has announced two staff hires, as Tony Savino has been named the co-offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach, and Keondre Wudtee will serve as Quarterbacks coach and Special Teams Coordinator, head coach Byron Dawson has announced.
Shreveport – The Centenary College Football program has announced two staff hires, as Tony Savino has been named the co-offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach, and Keondre Wudtee will serve as Quarterbacks coach and Special Teams Coordinator.
"I am really excited about adding two coaches to our staff that have Power 5 coaching and playing experience," said Dawson. "Both men will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Centenary Gent Football Family."
Savino comes to Centenary after spending the previous two years at Mississippi College as Offensive Line coach. In the 2021 season, his unit helped pave the way for an average of 293.8 yards rushing per game, which was the third best rushing season in Mississippi College history. The Choctaws ranked third in Division II in rushing yards per game last season and two of Savino's offensive linemen, Tahara Thornton and Matt Toles, were invited to Senior All-Star games. Savino played Offensive Line at Texas Christian University from 2003-07 and prior to his coaching position at Mississippi College he returned to his alma mater and served as an Offensive Analyst for the Horned Frogs. Aside from his extensive duties in recruiting, Savino also assisted with the Offensive Line and Tight Ends during his tenure.
Prior to his time at TCU, Savino served as the Running Backs Coach at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) for three seasons. In each of his three seasons, Savino coached three different running backs to 1,000-yard seasons (Joshua Birmingham – 1,071 yards in 2013, Jake Gandara – 1,121 yards in 2014, Clay McKenzie – 1,499 yards in 2015). His running backs combined for 60 rushing touchdowns in three seasons. The productivity of the running back position was instrumental in turning a 2-8 Broncho football program in 2013 into an 8-4 program in 2014 and a 7-5 program in 2015. The Bronchos also appeared in the post-season for the first time in over a decade in 2014. In 2015, the Bronchos posted back-to-back post-season appearances for the first time since the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Before arriving at UCO, Savino spent the two seasons prior to that in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he coached the Linebackers at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Savino started his coaching career at Cisco College in 2009, where he was the Linebackers Coach. In 2010, he switched positions to coach the Defensive Line. "Tony was an offensive analyst at TCU for four years and also played on the offensive line for the Horned Frogs, starting off as a walk- on and earning a scholarship for his senior season in 2007. Tony has 13 years coaching experience at the college level."
Wudtee starred at Parkway High School in Bossier City for head coach David Feaster. The Panthers went 12-2 during his senior season as he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was a First team all-district selection, team MVP and an honorable mention all-state selection.
"Keondre is Shreveport-Bossier built, and he had a great career at Parkway High School," said Dawson. He signed a full scholarship to Oklahoma State and played QB under one of the nation's most prolific and productive offenses at OSU. He cut his teeth under head coach Mike Gundy's tutelage. He finished his career starting at Division 1 Northern Arizona after transferring from OSU and received the Golden Eagle Scholar Athlete Award in 2021."
Wudtee played in two games during the 2018 season at Oklahoma State, against Missouri State and South Alabama, as he attempted five passes and ran for 81 yards on 12 carries. He played in two games in 2017, against South Alabama and Baylor after he redshirted during the 2016 season.
Wudtee then transferred to Northern Arizona and played two seasons for the Lumberjacks. In 2021, he started all five games and was 80-137 for 1,074 yards with four TD's in his first season as a starter. He also rushed for 48 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.
The Centenary Football program will hold two camps and clinics this summer. Information on both are below:
https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/fball/Camps_and_Clinics
The Gents are scheduled to return to the field in the Fall of 2024, read all about the announcement made back in November here: https://www.gocentenary.com/general/2021-22/releases/202111101o6suj
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