The New Crew Part 2: The Off-Field Staff
Earlier this week we tackled Troy’s new coaching staff, and about five hours later the Athletics department announced two new coaches, one promotion and one retention for the off-field staff.
We would have (and could have) added them into the previous story, but that’s not good enough. They’re working just as hard behind the scenes as the guys we see on TV every weekend.
It’s only fair that we give these guys the attention they deserve too.
Jamaal Smith – Chief of Staff
Let’s start with the guy who’s been on this Troy team for the better part of 20 years. As a freshman, Smith suited up for the Trojans their first season in the FBS (a story we’re telling right now) and played until the team’s first bowl appearance.
Three years later, he joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant, leading the team through three of the five conference titles.
He bounced around off-field roles before becoming assistant director of player development in 2015. In that time, Troy achieved higher academic rates, higher graduation rates and more community service hours than ever before. And another conference title.
His bio says his job was to maintain the “culture and discipline” in the program. As long as he’s been around, no one has understood what those qualities mean as him.
Brayden Berezowitz – Director of Player Personnel
Speaking of familiarity, Berezowitz (the guy making up for that missed high-five) is literally cut from the same cloth as two of Troy’s last three coaches. He played wideout for Kentucky, graduating in 2019, and immediately transitioned into a role coaching with Coach Sumrall and the inside linebackers.
He made the Dean’s List and the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Sumrall said Berezowitz “has a great eye for talent and is a tremendous evaluator” when it comes to recruiting.
Young guy, tons of potential. Might be worth remembering his name in the future.
James Vollono – Special Teams Analyst
Vollono has worked with special teams nearly every year he’s been coaching, and he’s been coaching since 2003. He’s worked with Butch Davis (at North Carolina and FIU), Dan Mullen, and Kirby Smart. He’s worked for FCS teams, Power 5 teams, and in the Canadian Football League.
He spent three years at Mississippi State. Under him, the Bulldogs’ special teams blossomed, leading the conference in kickoff coverage and setting the program record for blocked kicks… in two straight years.
Vollono’s players have won awards, made all-conference teams and even landed in the NFL. His track record speaks for itself.
You may have noticed there was not “Special Teams Coordinator” on the on-field list, but this is the guy. Consider that one phase of the game on lock.
Caleb Ross – Director of Operations / High School Relations
Finally, Ross is returning to Troy for a second season. He’s best known for his work at McGill-Toolen in Mobile, leading the Yellow Jackets to possibly their best run of all time.
One of his players during that time wears No. 2 for Troy.
He’s coached at Spanish Fort, Opelika, and his alma mater Prattville, led several teams to win blue maps, and now he’s leading high school relations at Troy.
His success as a head coach aside, Ross’s connections across the state are going to prove incredibly valuable on the recruiting trail. Coach Sumrall is known for his strengths there, and he’s set up the perfect team in the Wiregrass.
Each of these four guys brings something to the table that either enhances Coach Sumrall’s abilities or supports the team by aligning their skill set with their position.
This point in the game, it’s easy to be hopeful about the future. We won’t have a better idea until we see the on-field product, but it’s clear we’re laying the groundwork with solid off-the-field hires.