Cox Named General Manager of EKU Football, Highlights 2025 Staff Changes and Additions

Football
7/21/2025 10:30:00 AM

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Walt Wells has announced four new changes and additions to the Colonels’ coaching staff on Monday ahead of the 2025 season.
 
Most notably, current wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator Caleb Cox has been named the Colonels’ general manager, overseeing the program’s personnel, roster management, and recruiting strategies.
 
“Caleb has done a tremendous job of helping me navigate the changing landscape that is college football,” said Wells. “I value his opinions and understanding of what we are trying to accomplish.”
 
A member of Wells’ staff since his return to Richmond as head coach in 2020, Cox’s recruiting prowess has shone over the past two seasons with EKU signing the No. 18-ranked “post-spring transfer portal class” by Sports Illustrated’s FCS Football Central this past spring, and the 8^th best overall recruiting class in the FCS according to On3 Sports in 2023-24.
 
EKU reaped the benefits of that class in 2024, going 8-5 with a return to the FCS Playoffs aided by freshman wideout Marcus Calwise Jr., who earned Freshman All-American honors and was recently named to the United Athletic Conference’s Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
In other areas, three former Colonels will be on the 2025 staff in Jalen Burbage (Assistant Wide Receivers Coach), Ryan Jackson (Assistant Offensive Line Coach), and Alex Cline (Assistant Inside Linebackers Coach).
 
A member of the coaching staff in 2024, Burbage joined the staff after finishing his playing career in 2023 as a Colonel.
 
That season, he played in all 11 games with six total starts, recording 403 yards and four touchdowns while earning a place on the UAC All-Academic Team.
 
Before coming to Richmond, Burbage spent four seasons playing at Leigh University, appearing in 30 games with 81 receptions, 918 yards, and four touchdowns.
 
Jackson joins the staff after spending the past five seasons on the field for Wells as a defensive lineman.
 
While in maroon and white, the Tennessee native amassed 121 total tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 56 total games played from 2020-24.
 
Cline stays in Richmond as the assistant inside linebackers coach after being a part of the team as a long snapper since 2022, graduating from EKU with a degree in sport management last fall.
 
The Colonels will kick off the 2025 season with their season opener on Saturday, August 30, against in-state foe Louisville, with the home opener at Roy Kidd Stadium set for September 6, against Houston Christian at 6 p.m.