HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana head football coach Ron Roberts finalized his coaching staff for the upcoming 2016 season with the announcement of a pair of additions on Thursday.
 
Roberts announced the hiring of assistant coaches Dwight Tillman (cornerbacks) and Joe Graves (running backs). Both hires are pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
 
Roberts also announced that defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Brandon Lacy has added the title of assistant head coach. In addition, linebackers coach Aaron Schwanz has added the role of special teams coordinator.
 
Tillman comes to Hammond after spending the 2015 season as defensive coordinator at Randallston High School in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that he was the defensive backs coach at Baltimore's Franklin High School, where he was a part of consecutive Class 3A state championships.
 
Tillman's relationship with Roberts dates back to his time as a player at Delta State, where he was coached by Roberts in 2010 and 2011. A two-year starter, Tillman tallied 88 tackles and intercepted four passes during his time with the Statesmen. As a senior, he was a second team All-South Region selection. Tillman earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Delta State in 2012.
 
"We're excited to have Dwight join our program," Roberts said. "He was a great player for me at Delta State and was able to gain some valuable coaching experience as a defensive coordinator last season. He'll be a great role model for our student-athletes."
 
Graves is one of the most decorated student-athletes from Roberts' Southeastern tenure. The Covington, Louisiana native was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Lions and earned All-Southland Conference honors each of his final three seasons, helping SLU to Southland Conference championships in 2013 and 2014.
 
In addition to his production on the field, Graves was also lauded for his academic performance. He was twice named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and was a three-time Southland Conference All-Academic selection. As a junior, Graves earned a spot of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team. Graves graduated from SLU with a bachelor's degree in history in May.
 
"Joe was the model student-athlete in all facets during his career here," Roberts commented. "We're fortunate to have him continue to be a part of our program."
 
The new assistant head coach, Lacy is entering his eighth season on the Southeastern coaching staff. He has been the defensive line coach throughout his tenure and has served as the recruiting coordinator since Roberts took the helm of the Lion program prior to the 2012 season.
 
During his time with Southeastern, Lacy has coached nine All-Southland Conference selections and helped SLU to a pair of Southland Conference championships. The longest tenured coach on Roberts' staff and a 2003 Kansas graduate, Lacy's coaching resume' includes stops at Rice, Appalachian State, Tennessee-Martin and Angelo State.
 
"Brandon's my senior assistant in terms of tenure and very deserving of the title of assistant head coach," Roberts commented. "He's entering his fifth season with me and he really understands what we're trying to do as a program. The loyalty and passion he's shown for our program and our university as a whole deserved to be rewarded."
 
Schwanz, who will take over as the special teams coordinator, is entering season three as an assistant on Roberts' staff. During his time working with the team's linebackers, he's coached four All-Southland Conference players, including 2014 All-American and Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year Isiah Corbett.
 
Schwanz's previous coaching stops before coming to Hammond included Wisconsin, UTEP, Midwestern State and Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 2009.
 
"Aaron has done a fabulous job since joining our staff," Roberts said. "His organization and attention to detail made him a perfect fit for the special teams coordinator position."
 
Southeastern will report to campus on Aug. 2 with preseason practice beginning Aug. 3. The 2016 season officially kicks off on Sept. 3, when the Lions travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma to face Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m.
 
The Lions' five-game home schedule opens on Sept. 24, when they welcome league rival Northwestern State for a 6 p.m. contest. Season tickets are available by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visiting LionSports.net and LionUp.com.