Photo by: SFA Athletics
Atkinson Promoted to Passing Game Coordinator
9/24/2026 4:26:00 PM | Football
Carthel makes announcement following Thursday morning's practice
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -Â Following Thursday morning's practice, Stephen F. Austin head football coach Colby Carthel concluded his post-practice talk with the Lumberjacks with a special announcement that current wide receivers coach Josh Atkinson has been promoted to passing game coordinator. Atkinson, who has been a highly-impactful assistant over the past two seasons, will continue to guide a deep and talented wide receiver room, while leading the game planning of the aerial attack.Â
"First of all, all glory to God, very blessed and feel fortunate to get the title," noted Atkinson. "But at the end of the day, it's a collective effort, just because somebody has a title, that doesn't mean that everybody else isn't involved, everybody else isn't doing their part, [we are all] doing [our]Â 1-11 to make the Lumberjacks successful. Definitely blessed, definitely thankful for it. Axe 'Em!"
An American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 2026 35 Under 35 Class honoree, Atkinson's direction of the wide receiver group saw the continual development of All-American wide receiver Kylon Harris in 2025. Harris was named an All-SLC first team selection and produced a memorable 11-catch, 183-yard effort with a score in SFA's second round playoff win over Abilene Christian last fall. Additionally, Atkinson also saw a breakout campaign from Clayton Wayland who posted career highs in catches, yards and TDs in 2025.Â
In 2025, the Lumberjacks finished the record-breaking campaign ranked second in the SLC in team passing efficiency (145.64) behind a top 15 scoring offense nationally (35.4 ppg) and a top 35 total offense in the FCS (392.4). Through four games this fall, the Jacks rank inside the top 25 nationally in scoring offense (34.8), total offense (435.5) and team passing efficiency (151.56). SFA is averaging over 235 yards through the game in the 18 games since last season's opener.Â
Teaching effort, attention to detail and toughness (E.A.T), Atkinson's current wide receiver room has a pair of pass catchers ranked inside the SLC's top 15 in receiving yards. Bugs Mortimer (234 yards) and Wayland (178) pace the group with a combined 23 catches and four touchdowns. SFA wide receivers have accounted for 49 receptions for 688 yards and six touchdowns in 16 quarters of play this fall.Â
Atkinson joined Carthel's staff in the spring of 2025 after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo. The former four-year letterman and three-year starter at Tulsa also had stops at Midwestern State (WR) and Baylor (Offensive GA).
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"First of all, all glory to God, very blessed and feel fortunate to get the title," noted Atkinson. "But at the end of the day, it's a collective effort, just because somebody has a title, that doesn't mean that everybody else isn't involved, everybody else isn't doing their part, [we are all] doing [our]Â 1-11 to make the Lumberjacks successful. Definitely blessed, definitely thankful for it. Axe 'Em!"
An American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 2026 35 Under 35 Class honoree, Atkinson's direction of the wide receiver group saw the continual development of All-American wide receiver Kylon Harris in 2025. Harris was named an All-SLC first team selection and produced a memorable 11-catch, 183-yard effort with a score in SFA's second round playoff win over Abilene Christian last fall. Additionally, Atkinson also saw a breakout campaign from Clayton Wayland who posted career highs in catches, yards and TDs in 2025.Â
In 2025, the Lumberjacks finished the record-breaking campaign ranked second in the SLC in team passing efficiency (145.64) behind a top 15 scoring offense nationally (35.4 ppg) and a top 35 total offense in the FCS (392.4). Through four games this fall, the Jacks rank inside the top 25 nationally in scoring offense (34.8), total offense (435.5) and team passing efficiency (151.56). SFA is averaging over 235 yards through the game in the 18 games since last season's opener.Â
Teaching effort, attention to detail and toughness (E.A.T), Atkinson's current wide receiver room has a pair of pass catchers ranked inside the SLC's top 15 in receiving yards. Bugs Mortimer (234 yards) and Wayland (178) pace the group with a combined 23 catches and four touchdowns. SFA wide receivers have accounted for 49 receptions for 688 yards and six touchdowns in 16 quarters of play this fall.Â
Atkinson joined Carthel's staff in the spring of 2025 after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo. The former four-year letterman and three-year starter at Tulsa also had stops at Midwestern State (WR) and Baylor (Offensive GA).
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, September 24
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19
