Georgia State completes staff with two coaching hires

Georgia State head coach Sean Elliott hoists the championship trophy after winning the Cure Bowl, 27-17, against Western Kentucky at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

Credit: Stephen M. Dowell

Credit: Stephen M. Dowell

Georgia State head coach Sean Elliott hoists the championship trophy after winning the Cure Bowl, 27-17, against Western Kentucky at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

Georgia State head football coach Shawn Elliott has completed the Panthers’ staff with the hiring of his ninth and 10th assistant coaches.

On Monday, the second-year head coach hired South Alabama running backs coach Tim Bowens to the same position and former Western Carolina defensive backs coach Blake Gideon as cornerbacks coach.

During Bowens time at South Alabama, he coached two-time All-Sun Belt Conference running back Xavier Johnson. Last fall, Gideon helped coach a Western Carolina defense that ranked No. 15 nationally in passing yards per game allowed and No. 20 in pass efficiency defense.

“We’re excited to move forward in 2018 with the addition of two very good coaches who are even better as people and will be great teachers and role models for our young men,” Elliott said in a Georgia State press release.

The Panthers finished 2017 with 7-5 record and recorded their first bowl win, a 27-17 victory over Western Kentucky in the Cure Bowl.