Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head football coach Joe Reich has announced the addition of two assistant coaches, with Brian Folkerts and Shaedon Meadors joining the staff this spring. Folkerts will serve as the Tight Ends and Fullbacks Coach for the Bulldogs, with Meadors serving as the Wide Receivers Coach.

"We are excited about getting Brian on our staff," Reich says. "He brings a wealth of experience as a Division II player and an NFL player. Our players will benefit greatly from his mentoring."

"I believe Shaedon is going to be a fantastic coach, recruiter and mentor," Reich says. "His experience as a Division I receiver at Appalachian State and his work at Clover High School give him the kind of knowledge we are looking for."

A former collegiate All-American with Washburn University, Folkerts spent six years in the NFL, playing for five different teams. He appeared in 28 regular season games and three playoff contests in his career. Folkerts was a four-time all-conference selection at Washburn as an offensive lineman, while also earning All-American accolades. As a pro, he played with the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams. He also played for the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF and the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.

Folkerts graduated from Washburn University in 2018 with a Business Degree with a dual emphasis in management and marketing (BBA- Management & Marketing). He spent two years coaching at Washburn, helping the Ichabods earn their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 10 years, finishing the season 8-4 overall. Folkerts coached three all-conference honorees, an All-Region selection and an All-American during his time at Washburn.

Meadors played at Appalachian State from 2014 through 2017. He earned his bachelors in Criminal Justice and All-Sunbelt honors on the field and helped the Mountaineers win two Sun Belt Conference titles and a pair of bowl games. He was also a Dean's List student at Appalachian State. Meadors wrapped up his collegiate career at the University of Illinois in 2018 earning his Masters in Sports, Recreation, and Tourism. During this time he assisted with player development serving as the secondary liaison to head coach Lovie Smith.

Prior to college Meadors rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com. He was the 2013 South Carolina Division I-AAAA Offensive Player of the Year … also earned all-state and all-region honors after catching 85 passes for 2,164 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior. He was one of only two wideouts on USA Today's 2013 all-USA South Carolina team. Was selected to represent South Carolina in 2013 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

In 2019 Meadors joined the Clover High School staff as a Wide Receiver coach, helping the Blue Eagles win the region championship in 2019. Clover went undefeated in the regular season in 2019. Meadors served as the recruiting coordinator and social media coordinator, helping over 30 student-athletes play at the collegiate level. Meadors helped develop two wide receivers into Shrine Bowl players, with six players earning all-conference accolades. 

This duo will be joining a Wingate football staff that has guided the Bulldogs to plenty of success over the past few years. The 'Dogs went 8-3 in 2021, with a 6-2 record in league play. Wingate won a program-record 10 games in the 2019 season, going 7-1 in the SAC and earning a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The 2018 season saw the 'Dogs go 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the SAC, earning another playoff bid and knocking off #10 West Georgia in the opener. Wingate also appeared in the playoffs in 2017, ending the season 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the SAC, winning its second conference title in program history. The Bulldogs also won eight games in the 2016 season. No team in the SAC has more overall wins or conference victories since the 2016 season.

Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 24 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.