Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel hires defensive backs coach

A second new assistant coach has joined the Southeast Missouri State football program.

Brandon "Cherokee" Valeria was hired to coach the defensive backs, the university announced Wednesday.

Valeria, who spent last year as director of football operations at Cal Poly, replaces Kenny Wilhite, who recently left to became an assistant at Central Arkansas.

"I'm excited to work with this staff," Valeria, 35, said in a release. "It's a fresh start and an excellent opportunity for me to get back on the field."

Valeria spent three seasons as cornerbacks coach at Idaho State, where he coached D.J. Clark of the Carolina Panthers, before working at Cal Poly. Valeria was also the cornerbacks coach for two years at Central Washington, his alma mater.

Valeria's units ranked among the nation's top 30 in interceptions during four of the last five years, dating back to his time at Central Washington.

Valeria was a wide receiver at Central Washington from 1993 to 1997 and was part of the Wildcats' 1995 NAIA national championship team. He graduated with a degree in biology in 1999 and was inducted into the Central Washington Hall of Fame in 2006.

Valeria, a native of Hilo, Hawaii, also has coached in minor league professional football, indoor professional football and the high school ranks.

Valeria joins recently hired defensive coordinator Brian Mohnsen as new additions to coach Tony Samuel's staff.

Southeast, coming off the program's first Ohio Valley Conference title and first playoff appearance, begins spring practice April 2.