Mark Elder to be new head coach at Eastern Kentucky

Tennessee special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Mark Elder will be the new head coach at Eastern Kentucky, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke with Paste BN Sports on the condition of anonymity because the school had not yet made the news public.

Elder has been with Butch Jones' coaching staff since Central Michigan, following him to Cincinnati and Tennessee. He led one of the best special teams units in the country this year, finishing in the top-five nationally in kickoff returns, punt returns and average starting field position.

Eastern Kentucky has historically been one of the better programs in the Football Championship Subdivision. Elder replaces Dean Hood, who was fired after eight seasons and no FCS playoff wins.