Former Tulsa linebacker and defensive assistant coach Craig Suits has rejoined the Golden Hurricane coaching staff as linebackers coach, Head Coach Philip Montgomery announced.

After a four-year career (2014-17) starting for the Hurricane at linebacker, Suits spent three seasons as a defensive assistant, tutoring under former defensive coordinators Bill Young and Joe Gillespie. He spent his first year as a defensive intern and then two seasons as the defensive quality control coach, where he worked with the linebackers. 

  "I'm excited to have Craig back with us. It became pretty clear that he was the right person to fill the role of coaching our linebackers," said Montgomery. "After an outstanding playing career, Craig made a smooth transition to the coaching side and showed as a defensive assistant that he undoubtedly could have a long career as a tremendous football coach."

  "Craig has steadfast loyalty to our football program and the university. He knows what it means to put on the pads for this program and through his experiences will relate well with our players and recruits."

Suits played in two bowl games with the Hurricane – 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and 2016 Miami Beach Bowl – while coaching in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in 2020.

Following a redshirt season in 2013, Suits completed his playing career in 2017, playing in 48 career games with 47 starts He finished his career with 279 tackles, 31.5 TFL for -69 yards, six pass breakups, five interceptions and five forced fumbles. In 2017, Suits totaled 72 stops and 9.5 TFL as a senior.

Suits was a Freshman All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2014. He compiled 81 tackles, 7.5 TFL, four pass break-ups and two forced fumbles that season.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Suits played his prep football at Mesquite Poteet High School, where he also started all four seasons at linebacker. He was a two-time first-team all-district performer and was named to the Dallas Morning News Top 100 as a senior.

Suits, 28, earned his bachelor's degree in exercise & sports sciences in 2016 and completed his master's degree in math & science education from Tulsa as well.

  He and his wife, Cassidy, have a young son, Casen.