March 6, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Lee Hull has been hired to coach wide receivers for the University of Maryland football team, Coach Ralph Friedgen announced Thursday.

Hull spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at Oregon State University, which coincidentally snapped Maryland's three-game postseason win streak in the 2007 Emerald Bowl.

The former professional football player coached running backs his first two seasons in Corvallis and wide receivers the last three. He coached three OSU All-Americans, including a pair of wideouts, and was a part of four bowl wins.

Hull replaces Kasey Dunn, who left the program last week to pursue a job in the NFL. Hull is expected to begin his appointment later this week.

"We're excited to hire a coach of Lee's caliber so quickly," Friedgen said. "We have a lot of talented wide receivers and we're looking for a coach to take them to another level. We're excited to have Lee as a part of our program. We're looking forward to him getting started as soon as possible"

Hull's players have seen quite a bit of success on the field.

The 42-year-old had three receivers catch 30 or more passes last season, including Darrell Catchings, who was a freshman All-America along with fellow wideout James Rodgers.

In 2006, he coached Sammie Stroughter to All-America status in one of Oregon State's best seasons. The Beavers posted a 10-4 record, second-best in school history, including a win over Missouri in the Sun Bowl. That season, Stroughter led the Pac-10 Conference and ranked 10th in the country in receiving yards per game (92.4).

Stroughter was on the watch list for the 2007 Biletnikoff Award, which honors the top receiver in the nation.

In Hull's first season in charge of wide receivers, Mike Hass ended his stellar career as a first-team All-America selection and the winner of the 2005 Biletnikoff Award. Hass posted the third-highest receiving yards total (3,924) in league history. He is currently a member of the Chicago Bears.

Hull also coached current St. Louis Rams' running back and former OSU All-American Steven Jackson during the 2003 season. Jackson was a first-team All-Pac-10 and third-team All-America choice as a junior, his final season at OSU.

A native of Millville, N.J., Hull is looking forward to heading back to the East Coast and coaching in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I wanted to thank Coach Friedgen for the opportunity to come back East and coach at a great program like Maryland," Hull said. "I'm looking forward to working with the receiving corps. There is some good talent at the position and I'm excited to start working with them, as well as Ralph and (offensive coordinator) James (Franklin) who are great offensive minds."

While Hull is excited about heading to Maryland, he enjoyed his time in Corvallis.

"I certainly want to thank Coach Riley for the opportunity at Oregon State," Hull said. "I wouldn't have this opportunity if it wasn't for him. He took a chance on someone coming from Division I-AA.

"I'll miss everyone in Corvallis. The people were great to me and my family, and I'd like to thank them."

Prior to his five seasons at Oregon State, Hull spent seven years (1996-2002) at his alma mater, the College of Holy Cross. He coached linebackers for one season at the Worcester, Mass., school before becoming wide receivers coach, as well as overseeing the kickoff coverage unit. He was also the passing game coordinator.

Hull was a standout wide receiver at Holy Cross from 1984-87. The Crusaders posted a 21-1 record his final two years and were ranked No. 1 in Division I-AA in 1987. Former Maryland coach Mark Duffner served as the Holy Cross head coach for Hull's final two seasons.

He went on to play professionally with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. Hull spent 1990-92 with Winnipeg and was coached by Riley during 1990. Hull was also a free-agent signee of the New England Patriots in 1998.

Prior to joining Holy Cross he coached at the prep level in Massachusetts for five years.

During his coaching career, Hull has participated in a number of internships. In 2000 and 2001 he took part in the NFL's Minority Internship Program. In addition, he attended the 2007 Minority Coaches Forum in Chandler, Ariz.

Hull earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Holy Cross in 1988 and a master's in secondary education from Worcester State in 1995.

Terp Notes:

Spring Practice: The Terps open spring practice on Tuesday, March 25. The team will practice 15 times over a five-week period, hitting the field each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until the Spring Game on Saturday, April 26.

Spring Game: The annual Red-White Spring Game, scheduled for Saturday, April 26 in Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game culminates Maryland Day, a family celebration which takes place on campus. As always, the Red-White Spring Game is free. The team will hold an autograph session at 12:30 p.m. in Byrd.