Nathan Burton hired as Troy co-defensive coordinator

Troy head football coach Gerad Parker made his first outside coaching staff hire on Thursday, adding Nathan Burton from Kennesaw State as co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

Burton spent the 2023 season on the FCS level with the Owls, who allowed 17.9 points and 308.2 yards per game. He previously spent two seasons as co-defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and has also worked at Temple, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, UT Martin, West Alabama, Shorter and with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers.

Burton is the third member of Parker’s on-field staff, joining two holdovers from Jon Sumrall’s tenure. Troy announced Wednesday that cornerbacks coach Travis Pearson and wide receivers coach Gary Banks would remain with the Trojans in 2024.

In addition, Parker has retained Jamaal Smith as chief of staff, James Vollono as special teams analyst and Aaron Sisk as director of football video. Ian Grier has moved from director of equipment to director of operations.

Parker — Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator in 2023 — was hired Dec. 17 to replace Sumrall, who left for Tulane after two seasons. Most other members of Sumrall’s Troy staff — including offensive coordinator Joe Craddock and defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato — have followed him to the Green Wave.