Running backs coach Don King III joined the Slippery Rock University football coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2017.
King III is intricately familiar with the offense at SRU, having served as the team's starting quarterback in 2016 after coming to The Rock for his final year of eligibility. He is enrolled in the graduate program in public health at Slippery Rock.
In his first season as a coach, King was in charge of a running back unit that accounted for 1,333 yards and 19 touchdowns. Starting running back Isiah Neely, who rushed for 754 yards and 12 touchdowns, earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division honors while backup Chacar Berry tallied 478 yards and six touchdowns as a redshirt freshman.
Prior to entering the coaching profession, King III started in 10 games in 2016 for SRU, completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,668 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He averaged 266.8 yards per game through the air and also rushed for 15 yards per game. He ranked third in single-season history at Slippery Rock in touchdowns, passing yards and completions.
Despite playing at Slippery Rock for just one season, he still ranks ninth in program career history in completions and 10th in yards.
Prior to attending SRU, King III played three seasons at the Division I level with Sam Houston State, graduating in three years with his undergrad degree in kinesiology.
"Being able to add Don to our offensive staff is just going to help those young running backs even more this fall," said Lutz. "He has a unique perspective and understanding of the offense, which will be key for their development."
