KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan football announced the hiring of Grant Heard to replace George McDonald as the Broncos' wide receivers coach. Heard comes to Kalamazoo after spending the past two campaigns as an offensive graduate assistant at Ole Miss.
“I am very excited to join the staff. I was able to meet some of the guys on the team, primarily the wide receivers, and everybody is ready to get started on spring, as am I,” commented Heard.
While with the Rebels coaching staff, Heard assisted in coaching both the receivers and tight ends, as well as breaking down game film and assisting on the preparation of the upcoming game plan. Heard was also a graduate assistant with North Carolina State University in 2004 after serving as the receivers coach at Hargrave Military Academy for one season in 2003.
Heard began his coaching career at Jackson Preparatory High School in 2002. He developed the team's quarterbacks and wide receivers and coached the special teams unit as well.
The Lake Jackson, Texas, native will not be teaching the Bronco pass-catchers based on theory alone. Heard was also a four-year letterwinner at Ole Miss as a wide receiver. He ranks third on the Rebels' career receptions list (142) and on the career receiving yards list (2,029). In four seasons, Heard started 28 of 45 games played and racked up 16 touchdowns.
Heard, who was a member of the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers organizations during 2000-01, was born March 4, 1978 and currently resides in Kalamazoo.
Western Michigan was in the market for a receivers coach when former receivers coach, and offensive coordinator, George McDonald departed after two seasons to take the receivers position at the University of Minnesota last month.
Additional Release:
The Bronco football program is also announcing the departure of two additional positional coaches. Tim Lester and Mike Sullivan have resigned from the coaching staff, effective immediately.
Lester, the program's career and season leader in passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and touchdown passes, spent two seasons at his alma mater as the quarterbacks coach. He leaves Kalamazoo to take the post of defensive coordinator at North Central College, a Division III institution in Naperville, Ill.
Sullivan, who also spent two seasons with the Broncos as the offensive line coach, is returning to the National Football League and the Cleveland Browns. Sullivan will take the post of assistant offensive line coach. Sullivan spent four seasons (2001-04) as the offensive assistant and tight ends coach with the organization.
