Vestal joins staff as the tight ends coach

Texas A&M University-Commerce football coach David Bailiff has added another member to the Lions' coaching staff, who brings vast Division I experience to Commerce. Scott Vestal has been hired as the Lions' tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.

Bringing over 20 years of coaching and playing experience, Vestal coached with Bailiff at Rice and has had stops at Maryland, Kansas, Florida, Texas, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, SMU, and Western Kentucky.

'Coach Vestal went to high school in Dallas and then coached at SMU, North Texas, Texas, Rice, and now Texas A&M-Commerce. He is a great Texas high school recruiter and a great football coach,' said Bailiff.

Vestal spent last season with Western Kentucky as a defensive analyst. Prior to that, he was at Rice for four seasons, his most recent position for the Owls was linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. 'I am honored to be a Lion and ready to get after it,' said Vestal. 'We are going to make sure that our opponents remember the day that they played the Lions!'

He mentored All-Conference USA selections Blaze Alldredge and Antonio Montero. Alldredge was also named to the Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists. Vestal also assisted in special teams while he was at Rice. Vestal spent 2016 at Maryland as a defensive analyst and quality control coach. He primarily worked with the safeties unit as the Terrapins advanced to the Quick Lane Bowl. Prior to his time in College Park, Vestal was with the Kansas Jayhawks for three seasons, the last two as the safeties coach and also served as the assistant director of football operations for one season.

Jayhawk safety Isaiah Johnson was named the 2013 Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year under Vestal's watch, who came to Kansas after a season at Florida as the defensive quality coach. He had the same position in Austin at Texas in 2010.

Prior to his time in Austin, he served as graduate assistant at Louisiana Tech, North Texas, and SMU. He was in University Park for four years, spending one season as an assistant to the director of football operations and another as the video graduate assistant.

Vestal played safety at Arlington Lamar High School and graduated from Texas A&M in 2003 with a bachelor's in kinesiology and a minor in history. He received his master's degree in liberal arts from SMU. His coaching career began at Berkner High School in Richardson as an assistant coach.

He has a son, Liam.