June 4, 2009

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Coach Tommy West announced today that he has recommended to the Tennessee State Board of Regents the hiring of John Wozniak as the Tigers' special teams coordinator.

This past season, Wozniak was the special teams coordinator and the tight ends coach at Montana State. In his only season with the Bobcats, all three of Wozniak's position players earned All-Big Sky Conference honors. Tight end Brandon Bostick led the team in touchdowns and was third in receptions despite playing in just seven games, while punter Erik Fisher ranked 15th nationally averaging 41.8 yards per kick and place kicker Jason Cunningham was 13-of-19 on field goal attempts. The punt return unit blocked five punts during the season, as the squad was 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference.

"John has an excellent background with special teams and has worked with some outstanding teams and coaches at Oklahoma State and LSU," said West. "I was impressed with John's knowledge and work ethic. He will be a great fit for our staff."

A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Wozniak began his coaching career at his alma mater, Knox College (Galesburg, Ill.). He coached tight ends and punters in 1999 before being elevated to offensive coordinator in 2000. In his four seasons as the offensive coordinator, the Prairie Fire set 15 offensive school records while 19 players earned all-conference honors. Wozniak coached Knox's all-time career leaders in rushing, touchdown passes, receiving yards, receptions and touchdown receptions.

Wozniak left Knox College to gain Division I experience in 2004, and served as a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He worked with the receivers and the special teams unit, and the Cowboys ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring, rushing and pass efficiency. Following the 2004 season, he worked at LSU for the first of two stops in Baton Rouge. In 2005, he was a graduate assistant at LSU for receivers and special teams. The Tigers finished that season 11-1 and played in the SEC Championship Game before going on to win the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Following the 2005 season, Wozniak coached one year at Georgia Southern where he was responsible for tight ends and special teams. The Eagles led the Southern Conference and ranked 14th nationally in kickoff returns, they also ranked 29th nationally in punt returns. Wozniak coached All-America kick returner Jayson Foster, who went on to win the Walter Payton Award and play in the NFL.

Wozniak returned to LSU in 2007 as a quality control coach working with Tiger receivers and quarterbacks. That year, LSU won a National Championship and finished the 2007 season ranked 11th nationally in scoring and rushing offense and ranked 26th in total offense. In his two seasons at LSU, Wozniak worked with six players who went on to play in the NFL.

A standout all-conference quarterback and wide receiver at Knox College, Wozniak earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education/physics in 1999. He received his master's degree from LSU in 2009.