Sports Headlines

Cantwell, Anderson Join Cambellsville Coaching Staff

Posted: 2:54 PM Jun 28, 2012
Reporter: Campbellsville Athletic Media Relations

Campbellsville University Fighting Tiger football has hired two new offensive assistant coaches, Fighting Tigers head coach Perry Thomas announced to his team late Wednesday night. Former University of Louisville and NFL quarterback Hunter Cantwell has been named the program's new QB coach and Sean Anderson has been named the program's new wide receivers coach.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Sean Anderson and Hunter Cantwell to our program," Thomas said.

Cantwell reunites with Thomas after helping lead Thomas' Paducah Tilghman high School team to a 31-8 record during his three years as a starter. In college, Cantwell walked on at UofL in 2004 and was a four-year varsity letter winner. As a freshman, he earned the starting role for the 2006 Gator Bowl, being named the game's MVP. The following year, he helped lead the Cardinals to a 12-1 record and a trip to the FedEx Orange Bowl as a sophomore. Prior to the 2008 season, he was nominated for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Maxwell Award.

After college, Cantwell spent the last three seasons in the NFL. He was a member of the Carolina Panthers' practice squad from May 2009 until September 2010, and was then picked up by the Baltimore Ravens until October 2011.

Away from the field, Cantwell has worked to train and mentor numerous high school quarterbacks in the Louisville area and has spoken at numerous churches, student conference, Fellowship of Christian Athletes events across the nation.

"Hunter will bring our QB position instant credibility. He has excelled at a high level as a college and professional player. Hunter is a strong man of faith and character. His leadership will move the QB's and the team to another level," Thomas said.

Cantwell will take over the QB duties previously held by former offensive coordinator Chris Pardue, who is the new Mercer County High School head football coach. New offensive coordinator Rick Gehres passes his duty as wide receivers coach to Anderson.

A native of St. Louis, Anderson earned his mass communications degree from William Jewell College in 2004 after transferring from Central Missouri State University after the 2000 season. While at William Jewel, he was a two-sport athlete, starting three years at wide receiver and lettering two years in track and field. He was a two-time NAIA national championships track qualifier.

He has coached seven seasons at the NCAA Division I-AA and Division II levels, including three seasons (2004-2006) as a graduate assistant at Jackson State University in Mississippi, four seasons (2007-2010) at Lincoln University in Missouri and a one-year stint (2011) at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. During that time, he has been in charge of recruiting high schools in Mississippi; Missouri; Southeast Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; New Orleans, La.; and junior colleges in Mississippi and California.

Anderson has worked with wide receivers at each university. He served as passing game coordinator at Lincoln, where he produced four all-conference players. In his tenure, he has coached a receiver to more than 900 yards of total offense in three of his five seasons as a full-time coach. He also worked with two future NFL players at JSU. Last season at NSU Anderson worked to manage the sideline and provided offensive scouting reports for the team in addition to coaching receivers and kick returners. Off the field, he coordinated the school's 7-on-7 high school camp and kids camp.

"Sean is an experienced proven wide receiver coach. He will bring a great deal of knowledge to the position. He will also have a positive impact on the campus as he is a man of outstanding character," Thomas said.

Campbellsville concluded its 2011 season by finishing just outside the NAIA Top 25 for the third straight year with a 7-5 record. The Fighting Tigers closed the season as runner-up in the Mid-South Conference East Division before winning the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Victory Bowl on Nov. 19.

Cantwell and Anderson will begin work July 9. Players will report for fall camp on Friday, Aug. 10 with the Fighting Tigers' season opener scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 1 against the University of Pikeville. The game will be televised in Campbellsville on WLCU-TV 4 and streamed online at wlcutv.com and CampbellsvilleTigers.com.