Kearney. Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney head football coach Darrell Morris announced today that Tom Everson is the Lopers new defensive line coach.

He replaces Andy Avalos, who left the program in December to take a similar position at I-AA Sacramento State.

Everson is no stranger to Kearney as his son, C.A., is a junior on the UNK golf team. He also coached with Loper defensive coordinator Bob Crocker at I-AA James Madison (Va.) and, as a player at Washington State, one of his coaches was former UNK Athletic Director Dick Beechner.

Most recently, Everson was defensive coordinator at Hanford (Wash.) High School. He has also worked on the defensive side of the ball at I-AA Weber State (1999-04), James Madison (1994-98), Wyoming (1989-94), Idaho (1980-81) and Whitworth College of Washington (1979-80).

During these stops, Everson was also involved with special teams. Finally, he was on Dennis Erickson's coaching staffs at Idaho (1982-89), Wyoming (1986-87) and Washington State (1987-89).

As a player, he was a linebacker at Spokane Falls C.C. and a defensive linemen at Washington State. Everson holds a B.A. degree in Physical Education from Whitworth.

Weather permitting, the Lopers begin will begin spring ball on Monday, March 7th.