“Not only is Rusty a great football coach, but he is also a very loyal man.  He has great football knowledge, loves the game and loves Chattanooga.”

Shawn Elliott
Georgia State Head Coach

“I reached out to Rusty to congratulate him and tell him how excited I am to have an alum become head coach. I told him I thought about putting my name in the hat, but since he already got it, I would let my old tight end take this one. He is familiar with the city, the culture and all of the guys, so it will be an easy transition. I could not be more proud and excited for the future of Chattanooga Football.”

Terrell Owens
Pro Football Hall of Fame

“I am so proud of Rusty and he really deserves this opportunity.  He is an excellent football coach and was a big part of what we accomplished when we were there.  I am excited for him and excited for UTC.”

Russ Huesman
Richmond Head Coach

Rusty Wright, having recently completed his 5th season as head coach of Chattanooga, holds a 30-22 overall record as head coach and a 24-12 record within the Southern Conference. He is the 1st head coach since Brother Bill Oliver to have .500 or better seasons in his first four years. Rusty, Brother, CFB Hall of Famer Frank Thomas (1925-28) & Leslie Stauffer (1910-13) are the only ones to accomplish that in school history. Wright has an impeccable track record of leading student-athletes to success both on and off the field. The five best academic semesters in program history are under Rusty’s leadership with three of 3.0 or better with a best of 3.14 in spring 2020, all while Wright has led Chattanooga to finishing 3rd or better in the SoCon. Wright has developed his players to earn 10 total All-America Selections since 2020, including 7 First Team selections. Wright’s time at Chattanooga has also accumulated 2 Buck Buchanan Award Finalists (National DPOTY), 1 Walter Payton Award Finalist (National OPOTY), 3 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists (National S-AOTY) and 1 Jerry Rice Award Finalist (National Freshman of the Year).

Prior to his time as head coach at Chattanooga, Wright coaches the linebackers, special teams, and served as recruiting coordinator at Georgia State. In his first year with the Panthers, the 2017 GSU defense set season records for fewest points per game (24.75), fewest rushing yards per game (136.4), fewest yards per rushing attempt (4.13) and most sacks (24). Before coming to Georgia State, Wright spent the previous four years (2013-16) at Chattanooga in his second stint at his alma mater. In addition to coaching the linebackers all four years, he took on the role of special teams coordinator in 2015. He helped coach the Mocs to three straight appearances in the FCS playoffs, including a quarterfinals berth in 2014, four consecutive seasons of eight or more wins and one Southern Conference title and two SoCon co-championships.

In 2016, Wright coached All-America linebacker Nakevion Leslie. During his tenure at UTC, five of his linebackers earned first-team all-conference honors, including two selections in 2016. Punt returner Tommy Hudson, tutored by Wright in 2014, earned All-America recognition. Before returning to UTC, Wright worked two years helping build a new program at NAIA-member Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga., where he was the defensive coordinator. Wright served four years (2005-08) as an assistant at Miami (Ohio), where he was the special teams coach and defensive assistant for two years before becoming the defensive line coach his final two years there. In 2007, the Miami defense led the Mid-American Conference in rushing defense, total defense, scoring defense and quarterback sacks. The Red Hawks won MAC East titles in 2005 and 2007. In 2004, Wright served as the defensive coordinator at Butler. He also spent one season coaching defensive line at Gardner-Webb (2009), and one year as the linebackers coach at Furman (2010). Wright was a four-year letterman at Chattanooga from 1992-95. He caught more than 50 passes as a tight end in his career, playing on offensive units that included future NFL players Terrell Owens, Jerry Ellison and Marrio Grier. He began his coaching career on the Mocs staff, serving seven seasons (1996-02) in various roles, coaching the linebackers, tackles, tight ends, special teams and the junior varsity squad.