BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The next leader of the "Tight End U" position group on The Hill is a familiar face as Zach Lankford has been promoted to the tight ends coach position under head coach Tyson Helton.
Lankford, who returned to WKU for his second stint with the program this spring, had come back as offensive quality control in January. The Dacula, Ga., native previously spent three seasons at WKU, two as an offensive quality control assistant, from 2014-16. Lankford's time coincided with three consecutive bowl victories and two consecutive Conference USA championships.
In his first stint, Lankford assisted with the offensive line and helped to develop one of the program's all-time greatest offensive line groups in 2015 and 2016. Those two units were also roundly considered some of the nation's best with starters Forrest Lamp, Brandon Ray, Max Halpin, and Darrell Williams leading the charge.
Lankford spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Faulkner University as the program's offensive line coach.
Prior to coming to WKU, Lankford served as the Associate Director of Recruiting and Player Development at UAB, managing the program's on-campus recruiting efforts and high school relations. Lankford was also a stand-out tight end for the Blazers, completing his playing career in 2009.
Lankford entered the coaching profession at Reinhardt University (NAIA) where he was an offensive intern and tight ends coach. Following a season there, he moved on to Georgia Military College (NJCAA) as the offensive line and tight ends coach.
Lankford earned his bachelor's degree in History at UAB in 2010 after a four-year playing career for the Blazers at tight end. As a player, Lankford appeared in 39 games overall after a high school career that included a Georgia Class 7-AAAAA championship in 2004.
THE ZACH LANKFORD FILE
PERSONAL
Born: November 21, 1986
Hometown: Dacula, Ga.
High School: Dacula HS
College: UAB, '10
Wife: Anna
Children: Jack
PLAYING CAREER (Tight End)
High School: Dacula
College: UAB (2006-10)
COACHING CAREER
2011: Reinhardt (Tight Ends)
2012: Georgia Military (Offensive Line)
2013: UAB (Associate Director of Recruiting and Player Development)
2014: WKU (Offensive Graduate Assistant/OL)
2015-16: WKU (Offensive Quality Control/OL)
2017-18: Faulkner (Offensive Line)
2019: WKU (Tight Ends)
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