Pioneer Faces - Coach Anthony Echols

There are some new faces in the halls of the Orvis Activities Center. As we near the start of the 2015-16 school year we will profile some of the new coaches and staff in athletics.

Anthony Echols joined the Alfred State coaching staff this summer. He will coordinate the strength and conditioning program and coach the defensive line for the Pioneers.

Echols joins the Pioneer staff after spending the past three seasons at Ave Maria. With the Gyrenes he spent time coaching the linebackers and the defensive line while coordinating the strength and conditioning program. 

He helped the Gyrenes to a 8-2 record in only their third season of play. In 2014, the defense led the SUN Conference in sacks with 27. Defensive end Brandon Ross was named 1st team All-SUN while fellow defensive end Charles Williams was named 2nd team.

Echols played defensive end collegiately at Northern Michigan University. During his senior season he recorded 45 tackles (7 for a loss) and was chosen to represent NMU in the BSN Showcase in Arkon, OH. Echols graduated from NMU with a physical education degree.

Prior to attending Northern Michigan, Echols was an NJCAA All-American at Joliet Junior College. In 2008 he was 5th in the NJCAA in solo tackles.

Following his collegiate playing career in 2013, Echols spent one season playing for the Florida Tarpons of the Professional Indoor Football League. He then coached the NAIA All-Star team in a contest vs. the NCAA Division II All-Stars in December of 2013.