SAN MARCOS, Texas – Eric Stephens, a former Texas Tech running back with extensive coaching experience in Texas, has been named the new running backs coach for Texas State, head coach GJ Kinne announced on Thursday.
 
Originally out of Mansfield, Texas, Stephens joins the Bobcats after spending the 2022 season with Stephen F. Austin as its running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. With the Lumberjacks, he helped lead to the team to a WAC championship and coached All-WAC running backs Jerrell Wimbley and Miles Reed. Wimbley was also a finalist for the 2022 Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the top FCS freshman player, as well as a Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-American.
 
SFA had the WAC's top scoring offense – which was 21st-best in the nation – and averaged 158.1 rushing yards per game.
 
"Eric is a great addition to our coaching staff and football program," said Kinne. "He's young and energetic and knows this state well from his time as a former All-Big 12 running back at Texas Tech to coaching at the high school and college level for a decade. He coached some great, nationally-acclaimed running backs at SFA last year, which speaks to his ability to coach at this level. We are happy to welcome him and his great family to San Marcos."
 
Prior to SFA, Stephens was a high school coach for eight years. He had stops at Ellison High School (2014-16), Arlington Martin High School (2017-19), and Sam Houston High School (2020-21).
 
Before joining the coaching ranks, Stephens was an All-Big 12 honoree for Texas Tech from 2009 to 2012. The all-purpose running back had a breakout season in 2010 when he led the Big 12 and ranked fifth in the country in kickoff return yards. That season, he totaled 1,951 all-purpose yards and had an average of 150.1 all-purpose yards per game. As a freshman in 2009, he helped lead the Red Raiders to an Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State with 136 all-purpose yards. For his entire collegiate career, Stephens had 1,967 rushing yards, 537 receiving yards, 1,979 return yards, and 25 touchdowns.
 
The Marshall, Texas native played high school football for Timberview in Mansfield.
 
Stephens was hired to the Texas State coaching staff after Kam Martin joined UCF as its running backs coach earlier in March.
 
The Bobcats began spring practice on Thursday and will play their spring game on April 22 (11 am).