Duke assistant Lyle Hemphill to be named James Madison defensive coordinator
The Inside Zone’s Matt Fortuna reported Tuesday that Duke co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Lyle Hemphill is expected to become the next defensive coordinator at James Madison.
Hemphill has spent the last two seasons on the Blue Devils’ coaching staff, with co-defensive coordinator added to his title ahead of the 2023 season. Prior to that Hemphill spent five seasons at Wake Forest, spending two seasons as their safeties followed by three seasons in the same role along with being the Demon Deacons’ defensive coordinator.
Hemphill graduated from and played football at Ursinus College, where he played strong safety for the Bears and was a four-year letterman, also spending on season on the wrestling team.
Duke’s defense was one of the best in the ACC this past season, holding opponents to just 19.8 points per game and Hemphill’s secondary unit held opponents to just 208.3 yards through the air per contest.
Hemphill joins the staff of JMU’s newly hired head coach Bob Chesney, who takes over for Curt Cignetti after he was hired as the head coach of Indiana following the Dukes’ 11-1 regular season finish in 2023.
Trooper Traylor delivers emotional postgame interview after bowl win vs. Troy
Head-coach-less, starting-quarterback-less Duke scratched and clawed their way to a 17-0 victory in the Birmingham Bowl, which led to a very emotional Trooper Taylor interview after the game.
Once Blue Devil head coach Mike Elko absconded to College Station for the Texas A&M gig, Taylor was promoted to the interim position and had to find a way to steer the ship to the bowl game while several coaches and players already began coming and going.
After such a crazy couple of weeks and a big time win, Taylor was overcome with pride in the postgame press conference, complimenting the guys who competed their tails off on the field Saturday afternoon.
“It meant everything. Blood just makes you kin. Love, trust, respect, commitment, hard work, that makes you family. Those guys epitomized every one of those, so I’m so happy for them, so happy for all the fans, too, that came out. Guys, I’ll just tell you, it’s been a whirlwind. I’m emotional because…” and Taylor’s voice trailed off as he began to get choked up and shed some tears.
“Because… these guys mean the most to me,” Trooper Taylor eventually finished his line, still crying, as he was then asked about quarterback Grayson Loftis, who led the victory thanks to several other QB absences.
“Man, that’s just a reflection of who we are and what him and his family stand for. You talked about it, we shuffled (offensive linemen) around like cards, got a little hairy at the end, made one mistake, but he got better from it, and that’s all you can ask from a player is for him to continue to grow through it.”
Of course, the Duke defense ultimately made the key plays to seal the deal, picking off Troy on their final possession to effectively end the 17-10 ball game.
“Let me tell you, all those guys on that side of the ball, buying in and flying around, it’s contagious,” said Taylor, explaining that those guys “paid rent” vs. Troy.