Tag: Mike MacIntyre

Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Luke Knox (82) and offensive lineman Reece McIntyre (56) blocking during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

FIU LB Luke Knox dies at 22

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Luke Knox, a FIU linebacker and younger brother of Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, died at 22, the school announced Thursday.

Per school officials, Luke Knox died Wednesday night. A cause of death was not announced, although the university said police do not suspect foul play.

Luke Knox, who also spent time at tight end, spent the past four seasons at Mississippi before transferring to the Panthers after the 2021 campaign.

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre, who spent the 2019 season with Luke Knox at Mississippi, confirmed the news on social media.

“Words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we feel because of the passing of our teammate and friend, Luke Knox,” MacIntyre wrote Thursday morning on Twitter. “I had the honor of coaching Luke at Ole Miss and FIU. While I admired his passion for football, his genuine love for his family and teammates is what I will always remember. He had a special way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and confident.”

Luke Knox played in seven games last season and 23 in all with the Rebels, making 11 tackles and recovering one fumble.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said Thursday the that team will support Dawson Knox and his family during this time.

“Our hearts go out to Dawson and his family during this time,” McDermott said. “We’re right there with him and supporting him and his family and just tragic news that I woke up to this morning. So we love him, and we support him and just unfortunate news this morning.”

–Field Level Media

Memphis defensive coordinator football coach Mike MacIntyre answers questions at a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex. Memphis Signing Day

FIU names Mike MacIntyre as head football coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

FIU named Miami native Mike MacIntyre, a two-time national coach of the year, as its head football coach on Thursday.

“Throughout this process, Coach MacIntyre rose to the top,” athletic director Scott Carr said. “He has a passion for student-athletes and building genuine relationships with them. He’s a builder, with proven success taking two struggling programs and elevating them to national relevance. … We could not be more excited to bring his energy and passion to campus.”

MacIntyre, 56, spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator at Memphis.

MacIntyre’s father, George, played and coached at the University of Miami.

“It is exciting to have the opportunity to come back to Miami,” MacIntyre said. “Not only was I born here but the roots of my family’s love for football and mentoring young people started here with my Dad. There is so much talent and passion for football in our area. I can’t wait to get started building a strong foundation for our program. I believe that together we will create something special to rally around, inspiring Panther pride in everyone associated with FIU and our community.”

In 2010, San Jose State hired MacIntyre to turn around its program. After two tough seasons that resulted in a 6-19 cumulative record, the Spartans finished 11-2 in 2012, earning MacIntyre his first coach of the year award.

Impressed by MacIntyre’s work in San Jose, Colorado hired him in 2013 to guide a program that hadn’t had a winning record since 2005. He spent six seasons there, with his teams posting a 30-44 record. His only winning season led to his second coaching award in 2016, when the Buffaloes finished 10-4 and earned a berth in the Alamo Bowl.

He was fired near the end of the 2018 season after two sub-.500 seasons.

At FIU, he takes over for Butch Davis, whose contract wasn’t renewed despite leading the program to three bowl games in five years. Last month, he had harsh words for the school, accusing administrators of sabotaging the program in an interview with The Action Network.

The Golden Panthers were 1-11 on the season, 0-8 in Conference USA play.

–Field Level Media