Winning in Carrollton isn't just about X’s and O’s. It’s about surviving the jump. When you talk about west georgia football coaches, you’re looking at a group of men who recently had to bridge the massive, terrifying gap between Division II dominance and the high-stakes world of Division I FCS.
It’s been a wild ride lately. Honestly, if you blinked, you might have missed a head coach.
The program just went through a whirlwind transition. Joel Taylor, the man who steered the ship into the Division I era, is gone. He’s back at Mercer. Now, as of early 2026, the keys to the University Stadium have been handed to Steve Englehart. It’s a fresh start, but the pressure is higher than a Georgia summer.
The New Era: Steve Englehart Takes the Reins
Steve Englehart isn't some random hire. He’s the 13th head coach in the program's history, and he arrived with a massive target on his back after being named the 2025 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year. He basically performed a miracle at Presbyterian College before West Georgia came calling in December 2025.
Englehart didn't come alone. He brought his "brain trust" with him.
Jayson Martin is the guy to watch here. He’s the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. These two have worked together at four different schools. That kind of loyalty is rare in college football. Martin is known for high-scoring offenses—we're talking nearly 35 points a game during their best run at Presbyterian.
Then you’ve got Dan Owen running the defense. People forget how good his units were. In 2025, his defense ranked second in the entire FCS for total yards allowed. That’s insane. If you're a Wolves fan, you’ve gotta be feeling okay about the "Presbyterian Pipeline" coming to town.
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The 2026 Coaching Staff Breakdown
Englehart moved fast to fill out the rest of the room. He didn't just grab anyone; he grabbed guys he trusts or guys with deep Georgia roots.
- Devin Bice: He’s handling the Offensive Line and Tight Ends. He’s also the guy in charge of offensive recruiting. He was a "Coach on the Rise" back in 2024, and honestly, the trenches are where West Georgia has to win if they want to survive the UAC.
- Leroy Wilson: Running backs coach. He’s got a national championship ring from his time at West Florida. He knows the Gulf South region like the back of his hand.
- Tyus Alcorn: Wide Receivers and Co-Special Teams. He’s been all over the map—Gardner-Webb, Tiffin, Campbellsville. The guy is a technician.
- Michael Sewell Jr.: Defensive Backs. He’s also the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator. In a pass-heavy era, this might be the hardest job on the staff.
It’s a staff built on continuity. They aren't learning each other's names on the first day of practice. They already know how Englehart wants his coffee and how he wants his 3rd-and-long defense to look.
The Joel Taylor Departure: A Bitter Pill?
Look, we have to talk about Joel Taylor. Most people thought he was the "forever" guy for the D-I transition.
He did a hell of a job. 12-10 over two seasons sounds modest, but you have to look closer. He took a D-II roster into the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and won eight games in 2025. They were ranked as high as No. 16. They beat Samford. They beat Nicholls.
And then he left.
When Mercer’s Mike Jacobs headed for Toledo, the Bears came knocking for their old defensive coordinator. Taylor went home to Macon. It was a business move, but it left a void in Carrollton that Englehart is now tasked with filling. Taylor's legacy is the foundation. He proved West Georgia belongs in Division I. He just won't be the one to see it through to the playoffs.
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Why the Defensive Coordinator Role Matters Most
Historically, west georgia football coaches have lived or died by the defense.
Think back to the David Dean era. Dean was the winningest coach in school history. He led the Wolves to three playoff appearances and basically prepared the school for the jump to the big leagues before stepping down in 2023. But even Dean’s success was built on a certain "Grit and Grind" culture.
The current defensive coordinator, Dan Owen, has a massive task. Moving to the UAC means facing teams like Tarleton State and Abilene Christian—schools that can put up 40 points before you've finished your halftime hot dog. Owen’s 2025 stats at his previous stop were elite:
- Total Defense: 272.2 yards per game (2nd in FCS)
- Scoring Defense: 16.2 points per game (3rd in FCS)
If he can replicate even 80% of that in Carrollton, the Wolves are going to be a problem for the rest of the conference.
The Hidden History: More Than Just Carrollton
Did you know West Georgia is basically a factory for high school coaches?
There are over 25 head coaches in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) who are UWG alumni. It’s a coaching tree that spreads across the entire state. Names like Kevin Maloof and Hal Lamb—legends in the Georgia high school scene—all have roots here.
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This matters because it gives the current coaching staff a massive recruiting advantage. When Steve Englehart or Devin Bice walks into a high school weight room in Gwinnett County or Valdosta, they aren't strangers. They’re part of the family.
What to Expect Moving Forward
The 2026 schedule is out, and it’s a gauntlet. The Wolves open the UAC slate on October 3rd, and the home stretch includes a November 14th clash against North Alabama at University Stadium.
Englehart’s philosophy is "Balanced Excellence." He wants an offense that averages over 400 yards and a defense that doesn't break. It sounds like a cliché, but his track record at Presbyterian proves he can actually do it. He took a team that hadn't won more than four games in seven years and turned them into a 10-win powerhouse in three seasons.
West Georgia isn't rebuilding; they're reloading. The transition tag is officially off. They are a full-fledged FCS program now.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of the program, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next six months:
- Transfer Portal Activity: Watch how many players follow Englehart from Presbyterian. He’s already brought the staff; the players usually follow.
- Spring Game Performance: This will be the first time we see Jayson Martin's "Fast and Physical" offense in Carrollton. Look for the pace of play—they like to go fast.
- Recruiting the "State of West Georgia": Observe if the staff prioritizes local talent over national transfers. The program's identity has always been built on "overlooked" Georgia kids with chips on their shoulders.
- Defensive Secondary Play: With Michael Sewell Jr. taking over the pass game defense, watch for a shift toward more aggressive, ball-hawking schemes.
The era of David Dean and Joel Taylor is in the books. The Steve Englehart era is here. Whether he can turn the Wolves into a perennial FCS playoff contender remains to be seen, but he’s certainly brought the right people with him to try.