Angelo State’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach George Love made an immediate impact for the Rams football team.
Love’s special teams were second in the nation with a school record 10 blocked kicks. Markus Jones led the nation in blocked kicks by getting his hands on seven of the school record 10 blocked kicks. The special teams also led the LSC in kickoff return average and point after attempt average. He helped the linebackers on defense guide a defense to one of the top third down percentage defenses in the nation only allowing a conversion on 26.5 percent of plays. Stephen Dugas (long snapper), Justin Jackson (linebacker) and Willie Brown (linebacker) earned LSC All-Conference honors for their play.
Love has spent nine years coaching including the last three at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. While at Millersville, he spent time working with linebackers and safeties. His special teams unit was No. 2 in NCAA Division II in 2014 in blocked kicks. The return unit set school record for return yards and he coached David Coates to the NCAA Division II career kick return yardage record.
Several players received accolades under Love’s guidance. Rasheed Johnson was named first team All-PSAC in 2014 while Reggie Slaton earned second team All-PSAC honors at defensive back in 2015. Two North Dakota linebackers picked up All-Great West conference honors and five linebackers received recognition while at Northwest Missouri State. Jared Erspamer highlighted the group with MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2007.
Prior to his time at Millersville, Love spent time at Eastern Illinois and North Dakota. He coached linebackers at each stop along with scouting and recruiting.
He played safety and corner at Eastern Illinois from 2002-2005 and led the team in interceptions as a freshman and a sophomore. He was a key contributor on the two time Ohio Valley Conference Championship teams. After college, he spent time as a student assistant at his alma mater. He went on to be a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri State from 2007-2009 and received his graduate degree.
Love was a member of the NWSU staff that went 26-4 during his time and went to back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championship title game appearances. The Bearcats won the MIAA in consecutive years as well.
