APSU Sports Information
Tampa, FL – Former Austin Peay State University (APSU) quarterback, assistant coach and head coach Rick Christophel has been named the tight ends coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He joins the coaching staff of Tampa Bay’s head coach Bruce Arians after serving on Arians’ staff for the Arizona Cardinals in the same capacity for five seasons (2013-17).
He will have the opportunity to work with the talented tight end tandem of O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
Prior to joining the Cardinals, Christophel was the head coach at his alma mater for six seasons (2007-12). In his first season as head coach – which coincided with the Governors’ return to the Ohio Valley Conference – Christophel led the Govs to a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 record in conference play.
Christophel began his coaching career at APSU as a graduate assistant in 1975 and returned as an assistant coach for three seasons (1979-81).
As a quarterback for the Governors, Christophel led the team in passing for three straight seasons, from 1972 through 1974. He still ranks 10th all-time at APSU in pass completions (175) and is ninth all-time in attempts (384). He is also eighth all-time in career rushing yards for a quarterback with 493.
