Hardesty, Owens, and Chestnut Added to WKU Football Coaching Staff

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Three more additions to Tyson Helton's first coaching staff on The Hill have been announced as Montario Hardesty (running backs), Richard Owens (tight ends), Chris Chestnut (wide receivers) have joined the program.

"I believe Coach Hardesty, Coach Owens, and Coach Chestnut are going to be fantastic motivators and teachers in their position rooms," Helton said. "They bring a level of relatability to their rooms and will be great representatives for WKU on the recruiting trail and in the community. I'm excited to add them to our offensive staff."

Owens, a former NFL tight end himself, comes to WKU from the University of Louisville where he served as the director of on-campus relations for the 2018 season.

Prior his return to his alma mater, the Louisville graduate spent three seasons as a member of the South Alabama football coaching staff, which included two years directing the offensive line and the second year working as co-offensive coordinator.

While at USA, Owens began developing tight end Gerald Everett into an eventual NFL Draft Pick and a John Mackey Award candidate, awarded to the nation's top tight end. In 2015, Everett leads the Jags in receptions (41), receiving yards (575), touchdown catches (eight) and total touchdowns scored (12). Everett's eight touchdown snags tied a school record while his marks for receptions and receiving yards were both top 10 marks in a season at the school.

Chestnut comes to WKU following a three-year run on the coaching staff at Tennessee State, including the final two as wide receivers coach. Chestnut began his run on the staff as an offensive quality control coach working with the tight ends.

While a TSU, Chestnut was instrumental in the development of a wide receiving corps that included four receivers who caught at least 28 balls, led by junior Chris Rowland's 57 receptions for 727 yards. Rowland was named an All-Ohio Valley Conference second teamer as a wide receiver and return specialist, while Treon Harris, a former quarterback at Florida, completed his transition to wide receiver by tallying 35 receptions and five touchdowns, both the second-best marks on the Tiger squad.

Chestnut's work with receiver Patrick Smith in 2017 helped the senior receiver finish his career among the top five Tigers in career yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Smith led TSU in receiving in his final three seasons in Nashville.

Hardesty comes to The Hill following one season as Jeremy Pruitt's coaching staff at the University of Tennessee as an offensive quality control analyst. While on Rocky Top, Hardesty worked directly with then-offensive coordinator and current WKU head coach Tyson Helton.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Hardesty spent time working in Conference USA at Florida Atlantic with Lane Kiffin, his head coach during his senior season at Tennessee.

Hardesty got his start in coaching in 2014 at Chowan in the wide receivers room and in 2015 at Norfolk State where he spent two seasons as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach. Senior Gerard Johnson enjoyed a stellar senior campaign where he started seven of the final eight games of the season and led the Spartans with 89 carries for 419 yards. Johnson was also the second-leading receiver on the team with 27 catches and 751 all-purpose yards.

Hardesty's coaching career began after a four-year stint in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. A second round selection in 2010, Hardesty's career was sidelined due to injury. As a collegian, Hardesty enjoyed his best year in his senior year at Tennessee, rushing for 1,345 yards on an SEC-high 282 carries.

Hardesty, Owens, and Chestnut Added to WKU Football Coaching Staff

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