March 2, 2006

SAN MARCOS - Texas State football coach David Bailiff announced Thursday the hiring of Texas A&M staff member Rick LaFavers as the Bobcats' linebacker coach.

"Rick came here already knowing our defensive package," Bailiff said. "He is from the same defensive family tree as the rest of our defensive staff. He worked with (head coach) Gary Patterson at TCU and knows our defensive package. Rick is a high-energy coach. He is really good for the game and will be good for our student-athletes."

"It's an honor to be a part of this program and have a chance to work with Coach Bailiff and the rest of the Bobcat Family," LaFavers said. "Texas State has a great tradition. I look forward to be a part of this staff and continuing to build on the success that the program has had."

LaFavers has served as Texas A&M's head football strength and conditioning coach for the past three years and brings experience working on both sides of the ball to the Texas State staff. He worked three years as an offensive graduate assistant at TCU (1998-00) and spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Alabama (2001-02) before joining the Texas State staff.

LaFavers has been on the coaching staffs of four teams which advanced to bowl games. He was a member of the TCU coaching staff when the Horned Frogs advanced to the Sun Bowl (1998) as well as made consecutive appearances in the Mobile Alabama Bowl (1999-2000). He was also a member of Alabama's staff in 2001 when the Crimson Tide played in the Independence Bowl. Alabama had the best record in the SEC West in 2002.

The Amarillo native is a graduate of TCU where he was a four-year letterman at defensive back. He was named a team captain as a senior in 1995, compiling 70 tackles and intercepting a pair of passes. He was named All-Southwest Conference Second Team in 1995. LaFavers was a member of TCU's Co-SWC championship team which advanced to the Independence Bowl team his junior year.

In addition to earning his bachelor's degree in physical education from TCU in 1997, LaFavers earned his master's degree in liberal arts from TCU in 2000.

LaFavers is married to the former Kim Dooley and they have one child, Austin Joseph who turns three on Friday.

Texas State concludes the first week of spring drills with a 1:30 practice Saturday.