South Carolina State University Athletics

Stephen Bird is in his third season as a South Carolina State assistant coach. His assignment is wide receivers and special teams. Bird joined the staff after spending three years as an offensive assistant with the University of South Florida. He is entering his 26th year in coaching.

Prior to joining the USF staff in 2009, Bird spent the 2008 season at Bowling Green. Before Bowling Green, he coached for two seasons at his alma mater Eastern Kentucky. A former All-American for the Colonels, he coached tight ends in 2005 and wide receivers in 2006. In 2005, he saw tight end Patrick Bugg earn All-American honors after leading the Ohio Valley Conference in touchdowns.

From 2001 to 2004, he served as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at West Virginia University. He coordinated the passing game for an offense that produced 20,000 yards of offense and 133 touchdowns from 2002 to 2004. In 2003, one of Bird’s players – Chris Henry – earned Big East Rookie of the Year and averaged 900 yards and scored 22 times in his career under Bird. In addition, the team went to three bowl games (2002 Continental Tire Bowl and 2004 and 2005 Gator Bowl).

A native of Corbin, Ky., Bird helped EKU win national championships as a player in 1979 and 1982. His collegiate career culminated in 1982, when he was named a Kodak All-American, as well as the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and EKU’s Male Athlete of the Year. After graduating in 1983, Bird was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL Draft. He enjoyed a four-year stint in the NFL, playing with the Cardinals and San Diego Chargers.

Bird returned to EKU in 1987 as a wide receivers coach. He went on to work as a graduate assistant coach at Kentucky (1990-91) and Tennessee (1992), before joining Pittsburgh as a wide receivers coach (1993-95). His road to West Virginia included stops at Kent State, Tulane and Middle Tennessee State.

Bird has the distinction of having coached the all-time leading receivers at four different institutions. Those players are: Dietrich Jells (Pittsburgh), Kendall Newsome (Middle Tennessee State), Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) and Tyler McDonald (SC State).

Bird's father, Jerry, starred for the Kentucky Wildcats and led UK basketball to a 25-0 record in 1954. Bird received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from EKU. Bird is the proud father of two children, Ryan and Madison.