Southeast Missouri State football assistant coaches Poteete, Rice Jr. will not return

Two members of the Southeast Missouri State football staff will not return next season.

Sherard Poteete is out as the Redhawks' offensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Melvin Rice Jr. is taking the same position at Southern Illinois.

Poteete served as OC on coach Tom Matukewicz's staff for his first two seasons at the helm.

The Redhawks, who went 4-7 and 3-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference in Year 2 under Matukewicz, ranked fifth in the OVC in scoring, averaging 25.4 points per game.

Four offensive players -- WR Paul McRoberts, RB Tremane McCullough, OL Garret Baker and QB Dante Vandeven -- received All-OVC recognition with Vandeven being named Freshman of the Year.

Southeast was second in rushing offense (182.9 yards per game) but was seventh out of nine teams in passing offense (172.5 yards per game).

When discussing the season on Dec. 9, Matukewicz said he was "disappointed overall" with the offense.

Rice is departing Southeast after one season to join the staff of new SIU coach Nick Hill.

He'd replaced Travis Fisher, who was on Matukewicz's staff in his first year and left for his alma mater Central Florida.

The defense allowed an average of 27.2 ppg, which ranked fourth in the OVC. The Redhawks ranked seventh in pass defense, allowing 242.1 yards per game. They were fourth in interceptions with 11 and gained 10 fumbles. Rice coached WR-turned-cornerback Mike Ford, who was named All-OVC.

Rice and the regional rival Salukis will face off against the Redhawks on Sept. 10 in Carbondale, Illinois.

The positions are expected to be filled in the next few weeks.