ASU football staff hires local coaches Donnie Yantis, Conrad Hamilton
Apr 15, 2016, 12:14 PM | Updated: 12:15 pm
Donnie Yantis, pictured coaching Paradise Valley High School, will lead ASU's recruiting efforts. (Mara Hedblom/KTAR)
(Mara Hedblom/KTAR)
Arizona State football tapped into the local coaching scene and announced the staff additions of Donnie Yantis and Conrad Hamilton on Thursday.
Yantis, the former head coach of Arizona Christian University, will replace Patrick Suddes as the assistant athletic director for recruiting.
Hamilton joins head coach Todd Graham’s staff as the senior defensive analyst following a tenure as Chaparral High School’s head coach.
“I am very excited to be able to supplement our outstanding football staff with the additions of Donnie Yantis and Conrad Hamilton,” Graham said in a statement. “Both Donnie and Conrad come from the state of Arizona coaching ranks and that means a lot to me. I have a long history of hiring talented coaches from the high school ranks. Both bring a wide range of skills and experience to the positions.
“I am very excited to work with Donnie in our recruiting efforts as I believe he will bring a special skill set to that position. And Conrad, who played in the NFL for seven seasons, adds that level of experience to our program, like current coaches T.J. Rushing and John Simon.”
Yantis coached Arizona Christian in its first two seasons in the NAIA and in 2015 led the team to a CSFL Conference title. Previously, he spent 14 years as Paradise Valley High School’s head coach.
Hamilton was head coach at Chaparral the last two years and was also defensive coordinator. The former cornerback played seven NFL seasons with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.
