Tumpkin Selected For NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program

SMU Assistant To Join Tampa Bay Staff For Training Camp

June 11, 2007

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU linebackers coach Joe Tumpkin has been selected to participate in the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program and will join the staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for training camp in late July.

Tumpkin, who is entering his third season on the SMU football staff, assisted in the direction of an SMU defense that led C-USA and ranked 24th in the nation against the run in 2006. In it his second honor in recent months, as Tumpkin was also among 26 football coaches selected for the 2007 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy, which took place May 31-June 2 in Miami, Fla.

As part of training camp coaching staffs, the fellowship coaches perform duties that mirror those of full-time NFL assistant coaches. They become working members of NFL staffs are responsible for specific assignments, including planning and directing workouts, formulating scrimmage and preseason-game strategies, breaking down videotape and evaluating players.

Established by the NFL in 1987, the Minority Coaching Fellowship Program provides NFL training camp positions to minority coaches every year. Many current NFL coaches have participated in the program. Some past graduates of the program have gone on to be appointed to NFL coordinator or head-coaching positions.

Tumpkin will be joined on the Bucs' staff by George McDonald, the wide receivers coach at Minnesota.