FLORENCE – University of North Alabama head football coach Brent Dearmon has named Travis Partridge, formerly of Bowling Green State, as offensive coordinator. The announcement was made during a press conference Thursday on campus.
Dearmon will hand off play-calling duties to Partridge, who will also coach quarterbacks for the Lions. He will replace Morgan Cruce, who recently accepted a position outside of coaching. Craig Schurig will remain on the offensive staff and will work with tight ends.
“I’m honored to be able to join the rich tradition of the North Alabama football program,” Partridge said. “I believe in Coach Dearmon and his vision for the future. My family and I can’t wait to join the wonderful community here.”
Partridge served as co-offensive coordinator and pass game coordinator at Bowling Green State. He was also on Eddie George’s staff at Tennessee State as the OC in 2024, where he helped the Tigers make the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Prior to Tennessee State, Partridge was the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UT-Martin in 2022 and 2023. The Skyhawks were among the top three offenses in the conference both seasons. He came to UT-Martin from Kansas, where he worked with Dearmon under Les Miles for three seasons. He went from offensive quality control coach in 2019 and 2020 to interim quarterbacks coach in 2021.
“Travis Partridge is a home run hire for us,” Dearmon said. “Bringing in an FBS-caliber coordinator will allow me to facilitate all aspects of the program even more with my hands off of the offense.
“Travis has been successful at multiple FCS programs and coached the QB position at an extremely-high level.”
While at TSU in 2024 — his most recent FCS stop — he guided quarterback Dralyen Ellis to top-15 FCS rankings in passing yards (3,029) and passing touchdowns (24). He also worked with UT Martin quarterback Dresser Winn, an all-conference selection who totaled 2,928 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Patridge’s coaching career began at Delta State in 2017, where he served as a graduate assistant, primarily working with quarterbacks.
Before transitioning to coaching, Partridge had a successful professional playing career, signing with the Minnesota Vikings as a priority free agent in 2014 and later playing for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Additionally, he excelled in the Indoor Football League with the Iowa Barnstormers.
Partridge is from St. Joseph, Mo., and played quarterback for his father, Jerry Partridge, at Missouri Western State from 2009-2013 — the same school where Dr. Josh Looney was athletic director before coming to UNA.
Partridge holds several career records at Missouri Western, including passes completed, pass attempts, pass yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage. Partridge also set the career rushing touchdowns mark and ranks fourth in career passing yards per game.
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