Campbell football was far more competitive in 2025 than its final 2-10 record would suggest. The Camels just struggled to close out games – going 2-7 in contests in which they held leads in the fourth quarter. That may be what has prompted an overhaul in the defensive staff heading into 2026.
Campbell head coach Braxton Harris has hired a new defensive coordinator, as well as three new assistant coaches on the defensive side of the ball. Here are the new additions:
- Defensive coordinator: Brandon Butcher – Most recently linebackers coach at UTEP (2025) and defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at UT Martin (2021-24).
- Defensive Line Coach: Blaine Miller – Coached nickelbacks at Syracuse last season and worked as a defensive analyst for Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs in 2023-24. Also will serve as defensive run game coordinator.
- Cornerbacks Coach: Da’Quaun Jamison – Coached defensive backs at Duquesne in 2024-25. Also will serve as defensive passing game coordinator.
- Outside Linebackers Coach: Antonio Minnifee – Spent the past two seasons as a defensive assistant at Pitt, which played in two bowl games, and worked with Butcher as a graduate assistant at UT Martin in 2022-23.
The Campbell athletics web site, as of March 2, lists Koy McFarland as inside linebackers coach, Amari Williams as defensive assistant/linebackers and Latrell Dace as a defensive assistant/defensive line.
The new defensive coaching group will be tasked with shoring up a Camels’ stopping unit that ranked 12th in the CAA (out of 14 teams) in points allowed per game (35.8) and 12th in total defense (411.7 yards per game). Campbell ranked 6th in the CAA against the run but was last in pass defense (274.3 yards per game, 28 total touchdowns).
Finishing games also will be a priority on both sides of the ball. The tale of the tape from last season is painful to review if you’re a Camels fan:
- Led a top-10 Rhode Island team 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter in the season opener only to lose 31-20.
- Led a solid Furman squad 24-18 early in the fourth quarter, only to fall 28-24 (with a final Campbell drive ending on downs inside the Paladins’ 10 as time expired).
- Beat Bryant 50-48 in double overtime but allowed the Bulldogs to score the tying touchdown with six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on a 35-yard pass play.
- Rallied from a 28-3 deficit against Western Carolina only to give up a backbreaking 61-yard halfback passing TD late in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.
- Clung to a 10-9 lead over New Hampshire midway through the fourth quarter only to surrender two scores over the final 8:30 of a 24-10 defeat.
- Led North Carolina A&T 21-7 with 13:12 left but allowed a short rushing touchdown, a 96-yard punt return TD and a 85-yard kickoff return TD in a game that slipped away 28-24.
- Built leads of 17-6 and 24-13 over William & Mary before the Tribe scored 10 points in the final 1:51 to force overtime (including the tying field goal with one second left). William & Mary slipped past 30-27 in OT.
- Scored with 8:06 left against Elon to take a 24-17 lead, but gave up two late touchdowns – including a 96-yard pass play from Landen Clark to Isaiah Furhmann with 1:07 on the clock. The Phoenix prevailed 31-24.
- Led Towson 31-21 with 11:54 remaining on the road in the season finale before giving up passing touchdowns of 64 and 18 yards in a 35-31 defeat. Towson’s winning score came with 38 seconds remaining.
Butcher has experience elevating a defense amid strong FCS conference competition. UT Martin won or shared four conference championships in years when Butcher was on staff there. He held the title of defensive coordinator in 2023-24 and was co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2021-22.
The 2024 UT Martin defense ranked fifth in FCS in stopping the run, seventh in third-down defense, 15th in creating turnovers and fifth in defensive touchdowns. That team went 9-5, claimed the Big South/OVC title and earned an FCS playoff victory over New Hampshire, which competes in Campbell’s conference.
Spring has sprung.
1st practice: March 17
Spring Game: April 18
Ready to host 4⃣ Saturday Desert DNA 2027 days. More info ➡️ https://t.co/gZY6Qwhy1m#FightAsONE | #RollHumps 🐪🏈 pic.twitter.com/q9IuWpRZFF — Campbell Football (@GoCamelsFB) February 19, 2026
Whether these staff changes translate into results will be one of the key storylines to watch this fall. Campbell proved last season it could compete week to week in the CAA; turning late leads into wins is the next step as Harris and his rebuilt defensive staff try to reshape the program’s trajectory in 2026.
Campbell football will jump into spring practice on March 17. The annual Orange & Black Spring Game will be held April 18 at Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Camels’ regular season will open on the road with a Week 0 game at East Tennessee State on Aug. 29. Western Carolina returns to Buies Creek for the second year in a row for the home opener the following weekend.
