PIKEVILLE – Michael Gunter has accepted the position of linebackers’ coach with the University of Pikeville football team, completing the coaching staff ahead of the 2018 season for head coach Allan Holland Jr.
Gunter arrives from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., an NCAA Div. III school that went 8-2 last year. Gunter was a defensive assistant there was well, coaching a trio of all-conference safeties in 2017.
Prior to MacMurray, Gunter played four seasons at Eastern Illinois where his team claimed two Ohio Valley Conference Championships and had three NCAA Div. I FCS playoff appearances. Gunter graduated from EIU with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies.
As a collegiate student-athlete, Gunter played multiple positions, including safety, linebacker and defensive end.
As a prep athlete, Gunter won the Illinois Class 4A State Championship in 2010 at Rochester High School.
Downs Added as a Graduate Assistant
On Tuesday, Holland Jr., also announced the addition of Pavin Downs to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Downs played four seasons as long snapper for the Bears and is a native of Russell.
(Submitted for publication by UPIKE Sport Information Director Dan White)