Aug. 21, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - Jeff Copp, formerly the safeties coach at Utah State, has joined the UC Davis football program to coach the defensive backs, completing the Aggies' coaching staff for the upcoming 2009 season.

Copp replaces former assistant head coach Keith Buckley who was named the head coach at Pacific University (Ore.) last month. Copp's announcement from UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs completes changes during the offseason which also included the addition of defensive coordinator Mark Johnson and quarterbacks coach Tim Plough.

Johnson replaces longtime defensive coordinator Lou Bronzan, who is now Assistant Physical Education Director at UC Davis, while Plough replaces Rich Scangarello who is now with the Oakland Raiders.

Copp, a 2001 graduate of Boise State, spent four years on the Aggies' staff at Utah State, directing the safeties while also coordinating punt and kickoff coverage. He helped several players earn distinction in the Western Athletic Conference, including Antonio Taylor whose 74 tackles in 2006 marked the first time a non-linebacker led the Aggies' in stops since 1978.

Copp previously worked on staffs at Arizona State and Idaho State after a playing career as defensive end at Boise State. He was a member of Broncos teams that captured a pair of league titles and twice advanced to the Humanitarian Bowl. He earned his undergraduate degree in health sciences before completing a master's in higher education at Arizona State in 2003.

Johnson returns to the Aggies staff after having last been with the program in 2004. He spent the previous four seasons at Utah State as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Johnson, a 1990 graduate of UC Davis, was also with the UC Davis in the 1990's and has also coached at Oregon, San Jose State, Boise State and Nevada.

He replaces Bronzan, a longtime member of the UC Davis staff who is continuing with the Physical Education Department. Bronzan's dedicated service included 25 years with the Aggies' helping direct a defense that was among the best during its NCAA Division II era. While transitioning to Div. I in 2005, UC Davis allowed an average of just 87.5 rushing yards per game, second-best among Football Championship Subdivision teams. That was also the season in which stellar defense helped key a monumental 20-17 upset at Stanford.

Plough transitions into a quarterback-coaching position after serving as an administrative assistant last year. He played quarterback for UC Davis from 2004-07, highlighting his career by throwing for 1,355 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007 while completing 64 percent of his passes.

Plough replaces Scangarello who joined the Oakland Raiders during the offseason as a quality control coach for the offense.

UC Davis opens its 2009 season on Sept. 5 at Fresno State.