Stephen Bird Last College: Eastern Kentucky '83 Position: Wide Receivers Experience: 2nd Season Email: birds@bgsu.edu

To email coach Bird: birds@bgsu.edu

Stephen Bird is in his second year with the Orange and Brown.

In his first season with the Falcons he saw six members of the wide receiving group record career-bests. Freddie Barnes (82), Marques Parks (28), Chris Wright (26), Tyrone Pronty (19), Jermiah Kelley (12) and Derek Brighton (10) all recorded career-best in receptions under Bird.

He joined the Falcons in 2007 after spending two seasons at his alma mater, Eastern Kentucky. A former All-American for the Colonels, he coached wide receivers in 2006 and tight ends in 2005. In 2005, he saw tight end Patrick Bugg earn All-American honors after leading the OVC in TDs.

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 TDs from 2002 to 2004. In 2003, he saw one of his players earn Big East Rookie of the Year and during his tenure, his top pupil also averaged 900 yards and scored 22 times in his career. In addition, the team went to three straight 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 Male Athlete of the Year. After graduating from Eastern 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. At three of his coaching stops, Bird worked with the school's all-time leading receiver - Pitt, Middle Tennessee and Kent 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. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Ryan and Madison.