The Coach's Journey: 5 Shocking Facts About Chad Lunsford's Career After Georgia Southern (And His New 2025 Role)

The name Chad Lunsford is synonymous with Georgia Southern football for many fans, representing an era of turnaround and bowl game victories. However, his coaching journey has taken several fascinating and unexpected turns since his departure from Statesboro, leading him through multiple high-profile programs in a rapid series of moves that culminated in a major SEC appointment in the current year, 2025. This deep dive reveals the full arc of his career, from his humble beginnings to his current, highly specialized role, providing the most up-to-date information on where the veteran coach is now. The question of "Where is Chad Lunsford now?" is a common one among college football enthusiasts, and the answer is a testament to his resilience and specialized skill set. As of early 2025, Lunsford has landed a prominent position in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, proving that his time as a Group of Five head coach was merely a chapter, not the end of his story.

Chad Lunsford: A Complete Coaching Biography and Profile

Chad Kevin Lunsford, born February 24, 1977, is an American football coach known for his passion and high-energy coaching style. His career is marked by multiple stints at Georgia Southern, where he served in various capacities before taking the top job. His journey showcases a deep commitment to the coaching profession, spanning over two decades.

• Full Name: Chad Kevin Lunsford
• Born: February 24, 1977
• Alma Mater: Georgia College
• Current Role (2025): Special Teams Coordinator, Arkansas Razorbacks
• Head Coaching Record (Georgia Southern): 28-21 (.571) from 2018–2021 (including interim games in 2017)
• Key Coaching Stops:
  • 1996–2000: Georgia Military College (Student Assistant/Tight Ends/Running Backs)
  • 2001–2002: Appalachian State (Tight Ends)
  • 2003–2005: Georgia Southern (Slotbacks)
  • 2006–2008: Griffin High School (Head Coach/Athletic Director)
  • 2009–2012: Auburn (Director of Scouting/Player Development)
  • 2013–2017: Georgia Southern (Various roles including Tight Ends, Special Teams Coordinator, and Interim Head Coach)
  • 2018–2021: Georgia Southern (Head Coach)
  • 2022: Florida Atlantic (Tight Ends Coach)
  • 2024: Florida Atlantic (Interim Head Coach)
  • 2025: Auburn (Special Teams Coordinator)
  • 2025–Present: Arkansas (Special Teams Coordinator)

The Georgia Southern Era: A 28-21 Record and Sun Belt Success

Lunsford’s tenure as the head coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles is what he is most remembered for. Taking over a program that had struggled, he quickly instilled a culture of "Football, Family, and Faith," leading to a significant turnaround.

After being named the full-time head coach following a successful interim stint in 2017, Lunsford guided the Eagles to a 10-3 record in his first full season in 2018, which included a win in the Camellia Bowl. This achievement marked one of the best single-season turnarounds in program history, going from a 2-10 finish the year prior to 10 wins.

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His overall record of 28-21 (.571) during the Lunsford Era solidified Georgia Southern's place in the Sun Belt Conference as a consistent bowl-eligible team. He led the program to three bowl appearances, winning two of them (2018 Camellia Bowl and 2020 New Orleans Bowl). Despite a difficult start to the 2021 season, Lunsford's legacy at the university is defined by his deep connection to the community and his success in transitioning the program back to a winning identity.

5 Shocking Facts About Lunsford's Post-Eagles Career

Following his departure from Statesboro, Chad Lunsford's career path has been a masterclass in coaching resilience, featuring several high-level, short-term positions that ultimately led to his current Power Four role. These moves showcase his immediate value to major college football programs.

1. He Was an Interim Head Coach... Again (at FAU)

After his Georgia Southern tenure ended in 2021, Lunsford joined the Florida Atlantic Owls staff as the Tight Ends Coach in 2022. However, his experience as a program leader was called upon again. In November 2024, he was named the Interim Head Football Coach for the FAU Owls, a role he had previously filled at Georgia Southern in 2017.

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2. The Auburn Tigers Special Teams Stint Was Extremely Brief

One of the most surprising moves came on January 24, 2025, when Lunsford was announced as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Auburn Tigers. This appointment was a significant step back into the SEC, where he had previously served in an off-field role. However, his time on The Plains was incredibly short-lived, as an even bigger opportunity was on the horizon.

3. His Current Role is Special Teams Coordinator at Arkansas Razorbacks (2025)

The latest and most definitive update on Lunsford is his move to the University of Arkansas. In early 2025, he was officially announced as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Arkansas Razorbacks under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. This move represents Lunsford's return to a full-time coordinator position in the SEC, a testament to his reputation as a top-tier special teams coach—a role he held at Georgia Southern from 2016-2017.

4. He Was Part of Ryan Silverfield's First Coordinator Staff

Lunsford's hiring by Arkansas was part of a complete overhaul of the coaching staff under the new leadership of Ryan Silverfield. He was named alongside Ron Roberts (Defensive Coordinator) and Tim Cramsey (Offensive Coordinator), making him a foundational piece of the new Razorbacks regime. This high-profile appointment places him firmly in the spotlight of SEC football for the 2025 season and beyond.

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5. His Coaching Philosophy is Built on 'Igniting a Fire'

While his titles have changed, his core coaching philosophy remains consistent. Lunsford is known for his ability to connect with players and "ignite a fire" in his units. This energetic approach, focusing on passion and resilience, is what he brought to the Georgia Southern program and what he is now tasked with instilling in the Arkansas special teams unit.

Lunsford's Impact on the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2025

Chad Lunsford's experience as a former Group of Five head coach and his proven track record in special teams make him a valuable asset to the Arkansas Razorbacks' new staff. The special teams unit is often a critical factor in close SEC games, and Lunsford's expertise is expected to bring immediate improvement to the Razorbacks' performance in the kicking, punting, and return games.

His ability to recruit and develop talent, honed during his multiple stints at Georgia Southern and his time at Auburn and Florida Atlantic, will be crucial. The focus on developing a championship culture, which was a hallmark of his time leading the Eagles, is now being applied to a specific, high-leverage unit within a Power Four program. This career trajectory shows a coach who has successfully leveraged his head coaching experience into a highly sought-after coordinator role at the highest level of college football.