Sam Houston Football: Bearkats Name New Defensive Coordinator For 2024

As the Sam Houston Bearkats prepare for their second season in Conference USA, they'll have a coordinator leading the defense: former Abilene Christian defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity. 

Cassity replaces Joe Morris, who is now the DC at New Mexico State. 

At 29 years old, Cassity will be the youngest DC in FBS. He spent the last two seasons in the DC role for ACU.

"Skyler first landed on our radar after we faced him during the 2022 season," Sam Houston head coach K.C. Keeler said in a press release announcing Cassity's hire. "He is a bright, young mind who has spent his whole life around the game. We are excited to have him leading our defense and playing a fast and aggressive brand of football." 

Cassity was andergraduate lacrosse player at Auburn, where he was also a student assistant for Gus Malzahn's program.

Growing up in the Atlanta area, Cassity is the son of Mike Cassity, who spent 22 years as a DI defensive coordinator at Louisville, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, ULM and Western Kentucky.

"It's an understatement to say that I am excited to be at Sam Houston - and in Texas, close to a large portion of my family," Cassity in the aforementioned press release. "This school has a long history of success, as does Coach Keeler, on and off the field. That's important to me." 

The Bearkats went 3-9 in their first FBS season in 2023. SHSU had the #4 scoring defense in CUSA, allowing 26.2 points per game.

"With this program going into year two in Conference USA, this team is going to see even fiercer competition. I welcome that challenge," Cassity said. "As for the defense specifically, we will be tenacious and relentless in our pursuit of dominance. I have high standards and this group of players welcomes that. This school has a tradition of playing top-notch defense, and I look forward to leading that group into a promising future."