UMR names Weaver as new defensive line coach

Kyran Weaver

Kyran Weaver, a four-year letterwinner for the University of Missouri-Rolla football team, has joined the Miner coaching staff as the new defensive line coach.

Weaver finished his playing career after the 2005 season and spent the 2006 campaign as a student assistant coach while completing work on his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. He coached the defensive line during the 2006 season when the Miners finished with a 6-5 record.

Weaver is filling the defensive position vacated by Erik Kruppe, who left after the 2006 season to accept the linebacker coach post at Arkansas Tech University.

“I’m real excited about this opportunity,” Weaver said. “It is a chance to build on the experience that I had as a student and player in the program and relate that to the players on the current team. I’m looking forward to being able to pass along my own knowledge to this group and also learn what I can from this coaching staff.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to have a UMR graduate on our staff, which I feel is a key to recruiting to our university,” said Miner head coach Kirby Cannon. “Kyran is well ahead of his experience level as he has a great football mind. I believe that he will be a productive coach on our staff from day one.

“Kyran also has a great knowledge of the high school football scene in the Chicago area, which is going to be his recruiting area,” Cannon added. “We’re very excited to have him on our staff.”

"I am pleased to have Kyran joining our staff." said UMR director of athletics Mark Mullin. "He has been a strong contributor as a student-athlete and as a student coach. I know the current players hold him in high esteem as we do. He understands the institution and the program. I believe he will be an excellent addition to the football staff and the department."

During his career at UMR, Weaver played on the defensive line and had a career-high 47 tackles during the 2002 season. He had 14 tackles and three sacks in his senior year and also had an interception which he returned for a touchdown.

His younger brother, Kellen, is a redshirt freshman linebacker on the 2007 Miner roster.