Charles Huff begins his first season as defensive backs coach at Northern Arizona University.

The former NFL player with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons brings a wealth of experience to the Lumberjack program with a collegiate coaching career dating back to 1989. He replaces Andy LaRussa, who took a position at San Jose State.

Huff joins Souers' staff after recent positions at Florida A&M University as defensive coordinator (2005-07) and defensive ends and special teams coordinator at Central Florida from 1997-03. He most recently coached at Miles College in Fairfield, Ala.

Huff began his coaching career at his alma mater Presbyterian College in 1989 before moving on to assistant positions at Murray State (1991-93), West Alabama (1993-94) and Austin Peay State (1994-97). In 1990, Presbyterian finished second in the nation in pass defense. He helped MSU rank second in the Ohio Valley Conference in pass defense in both of his seasons on the staff. He was also the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State while coaching the linebackers, secondary and special teams units. The Governors led the Ohio Valley Conference and finished fourth nationally in run defense and ranked 19th nationally in total defense in 1994. Huff's 1999 special teams unit at UCF was responsible for a total of eight blocked kicks (five punts, two field goals, one PAT).

During his career, he recruited and coached defensive back and future NFL star Asante Samuel at Central Florida, as well as ends Elton Patterson (UCF), Reshard Jentry (UCF) and Anthony Hutch (Murray State) to All-America honors. Samuel and Patterson were both selected in the NFL Draft in 2003 in the fourth and seventh rounds, respectively. Samuel has been a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion during his career and currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Huff also tutored SBN Black College Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Talley at Norfolk State.  Talley was a consensus All-America first-team selection by Walter Camp, Associated Press and The Sports Network.

Huff was a three-time All-American and all-conference selection at Presbyterian College before his four-year career in the NFL. He holds school records for punt and kick return average and career interceptions (20). He played with the 49ers from 1985-86 and the Falcons from 1987-88.

He became a 49er the same season as All-Pro receiver Jerry Rice. After head coach Bill Walsh and defensive back coach Ray Rhodes moved Ronnie Lott to safety in 1986, Huff moved into the starting lineup at left corner. He later suffered a severe knee injury and was released, but played parts of two more seasons with the Falcons.

He graduated with a degree in history and education from Presbyterian in 1985.

Charles Huff, Defensive Backs

Born: Feb. 24, 1963

College: Presbyterian College, 1985      

Playing Experience: Presbyterian College, 1981-85; San Francisco 49ers, 1985-86; Atlanta Falcons, 1987-88      

Family: Wife, Resa; Sons, Daron; Trevin; Sharmar.

Huff’s Coaching Chronology

1989-91            Presbyterian College, Running Backs/Defensive Backs

1991-93            Murray State University, Defensive Backs/Outside Linebackers

1993-94            West Alabama University, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs

1994-97            Austin Peay State University, Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers/Secondary/Special Teams

1997-03            University of Central Florida, Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coordinator

2004                 Norfolk State University, Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers

2005-07            Florida A&M University, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2008                 Columbia High School, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2010                 Miles College, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Defensive Line

2011-Pres.        Northern Arizona University, Defensive Backs