Shafer Hires Moreland to Mentor Tight Ends

     Syracuse University head coach Scott Shafer is adding Jake Moreland to his Orange coaching staff. A 12-year collegiate coaching veteran, Moreland will mentor the Syracuse tight ends and tackles. He has coached tight ends throughout his career. In addition to hiring Moreland, Shafer announced that Tim Lester will continue as Syracuse's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Bobby Acosta will now direct the wide receivers and serve as the recruiting coordinator, and Joe Adam will mentor the guards and centers.

     "Jake is an outstanding leader of young men and a terrific football coach," Shafer said. "The expertise he brings from his 12 years as a tight ends coach will greatly enhance that area for our program as he and Joe Adam work together to mold our offensive line into a productive and cohesive group. Adding Jake to our staff allows Bobby Acosta to resume coaching receivers, a position he has mentored at three other schools, and serve as our recruiting coordinator. Along with offensive coordinator Tim Lester and running backs coach DeAndre Smith, Jake, Bobby and Joe will lead a productive offense and develop the young men in our program. We are thrilled to welcome Jake, his wife, Anne, and their daughters, Courtney, Grace and Emma, to the Syracuse family."

     Moreland comes to Syracuse after coaching the tight ends at Air Force for the past three seasons. In 2014, Moreland's tight ends contributed to the Falcons offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing (sixth) and sacks allowed (sixth), and was 14th nationally in pass efficiency and 16th in third down conversion. The Falcons played in bowl games in two of Moreland's three seasons in Colorado Springs, including a victory against Western Michigan in the 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to cap a 10-win season for the Falcons.

     "It is a unique opportunity to come to Syracuse after having been at Air Force because both programs focus on the development of the student-athlete, emphasizing academics and athletics, to build student-athletes of high character and mentor young people who will become leaders," Moreland said. "All of the values Coach Shafer instills in this program parallel what I believe in. My relationships with this coaching staff began early in our careers and then we went our separate ways to continue to grow. It is special to be back together again."

     The 2000 Western Michigan graduate was a four-year starter for the Broncos, where he caught passes from Lester. Moreland caught more passes (143) than any other tight end in school history and ranks second in receiving yards (1,414) and is tied for second in TDs (13) among tight ends at the school. An All-MAC performer as a junior and senior, Moreland went on to a professional career in the National Football League, playing for the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. He retired in 2002 shortly after signing with the Houston Texans.

     Prior to his three years at Air Force, Moreland coached the tight ends and was an assistant to the offensive coordinator for seven seasons at his alma mater. During his tenure at Western Michigan, Moreland mentored Branden Ledbetter, who finished his career with the most TDs by a tight end in program history (20) and recorded three consecutive seasons with at least six TDs. In 2009, three different tight ends scored six TDs and in 2008 tight ends accounted for nearly 22 percent of the Broncos' aerial scores and helped the offensive line block for the program's 15th 1,000-yard rusher. In 2007, tight ends accounted for 10 of WMU's 23 scoring strikes (43 percent).

     In 2005, Moreland coached All-MAC performer Tony Scheffler, who ranked fourth in John Mackey Award voting after recording 670 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. Scheffler played for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions during his eight-year NFL career after the Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

     Moreland started his coaching career as the tight ends coach at Elmhurst College in 2003, where he helped the team set 11 offensive records and record its first winning season in 15 years. In 2004, he was the special teams coordinator and offensive assistant for Saint Joseph's College, where the Pumas set school records in seven offensive categories.

     A Milwaukee native, Moreland earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Western Michigan in 2000. He and his wife, the Anne, have three daughters, Courtney, Grace and Emma.

Syracuse University Athletics

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