Notebook: SDSU swaps WR coaches; Trey White, Owen Chambliss find new schools

San Diego State wide receivers coach Lanear Sampson has left the program to pursue other opportunities, marking the fourth staff change in the past month for the Aztecs.

SDSU already moved to fill the position with former Kansas State wide receivers coach Matthew Middleton, according to sources.

Middleton served as wide receivers coach at Kent State from 2018 to 2022, when SDSU coach Sean Lewis was head coach of the Golden Flashes. Middleton coached the past three seasons at Kansas State, but he was not retained when Collin Klein became head coach last month.

Sampson’s departure comes a week after Aztecs offensive line coach Mike Schmidt was hired by Klein as O-line coach at Kansas State. Before that, SDSU defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and edges coach Roy Manning left for the same roles at Nebraska.

SDSU cornerbacks coach Demetrius Sumler was promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Aurich.

On Monday, SDSU announced Collin Ferrell as the Aztecs’ new edges coach. Ferrell spent the past two years at Rutgers following 11 years at Kent State, where he, too, worked for Lewis.

SDSU replaced Schmidt with Bill O’Boyle, who spent the past two years at Northwestern after working with Lewis at Kent State and Colorado. Aurich also coached the linebackers, and SDSU hired former San Jose State and UCLA assistant Scott White to fill that role on the staff.

Former Aztecs White, Chambliss commit

Former SDSU edge rusher Trey White and linebacker Owen Chambliss have found new homes.

White is headed to Texas Tech, according to On3.com. The Red Raiders will reportedly pay him in excess of $1.5 million to join.

Chambliss is reuniting with Aurich at Nebraska, per On3.com, reportedly for a seven-figure payday as well.

Cardwell to portal

Backup running back Byron Cardwell Jr. is entering the transfer portal, according to a social media post by his representation at Align NIL.

Cardwell, a Morse High School graduate who transferred to SDSU last year from Cal, was the Aztecs’ fourth-leading rusher with 48 carries for 267 yards and a touchdown. He also had five receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Recruiting/retainment fund

The SDSU football program announced on Monday that it has raised more than $2 million for its Recruitment & Retention Fund.

It was achieved with a fundraising campaign to reach $1 million that unlocked another $1 million matching donation.