HOUSTON – The HBU football program has named Cedric Whitaker as cornerbacks coach, head coach
Vic Shealy announced Tuesday.
Whitaker has spent the past two seasons as the defensive backs graduate assistant coach at Baylor under head coach Matt Rhule. He coached three honorable mention All-Big 12 defensive backs, saw the Bears rank third in the conference in passing defense and claimed the 2018 Texas Bowl title. Whitaker was responsible for defensive signal calling and communicating defensive and special teams adjustments.
"We created a short list of coaches to interview for our cornerbacks opening after beginning with several hundred applicants and, in the end, one man rose to the top and that was Cedric Whitaker," Shealy said. "He possesses great knowledge of corner play, coverage concepts, the personality for the position and an excitement for impacting student-athletes that is special."
"Our players are in for a real treat to be coached by Cedric and to see daily what being totally committed to being extraordinary looks like."
Prior to Baylor, Whitaker spent three seasons at Texas Lutheran University. He served in several capacities, including wide receivers, speed and conditioning coach, junior varsity head coach, special teams assistant and defensive line assistant. Texas Lutheran was ranked 18
th in Division III entering the 2016 season, after finishing the 2015 season with the No. 17 ranking. Whitaker assisted the defensive coordinator with game plans, was the defensive signal caller and coached an all-conference first team defensive end. In addition to his on-field duties, he recruited the Houston area and was the academic advisor.
"I appreciate the coaching staff at Baylor, especially Coach Rhule, for his support and helping us better understand just how unique Cedric is as a young coach and the qualities that he has already quickly taken on as a professional," Shealy said. "I look forward to starting up again on February 11
th as we continue to grow our football program and work to become a Southland Conference contender."
Whitaker was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Texas Lutheran, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology in 2015. He was a four-time academic all-conference selection and was the starting cornerback in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
A Houston native, Whitaker played at North Shore High School, where he earned Academic All-District 21-5A accolades and was a member of the National Honor Society.
HBU will hold its National Signing Day press conference Wednesday, Feb. 6 at noon, which will be shown on HBUHuskies.com and the HBU Huskies YouTube channel. The Huskies begin spring practice Monday, Feb. 11, and will conclude with a scrimmage on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
