Peoples Hire Completes 2026 Football Coaching Staff

Liberty Head Football Coach Jamey Chadwell has completed his 2026 football coaching staff with a pair of promotions and the addition of Cory Peoples.

Peoples comes to Liberty Mountain following two seasons at Georgia Tech as the Yellow Jacket's Defensive Backs Coach. Peoples will serve as Liberty's new Safeties Coach and Defensive Pass Game coordinator.

In addition to Peoples' hire, Chadwell has also elevated two staff members to new roles in 2026. Malcolm Dixon is the Flames' new Quarterbacks Coach and Teddy Gallagher is Liberty's new Linebackers Coach.

With these announcements and the addition of new Defensive Coordinator and Outside Linebackers Coach Shawn Quinn, which was announced in January, the Flames' coaching staff is set for the 2026 season.

2026 Football Coaching Staff

Jamey Chadwell – Head Coach
Newland Isaac – Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach
Tony Washington – Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
Malcolm Dixon – Quarterbacks Coach
Bill Durkin – Offensive Line Coach
Cody Ladutko – Tight Ends Coach
Shawn Quinn – Defensive Coordinator and Outside Linebackers Coach
Cory Peoples – Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Teddy Gallagher – Linebackers Coach
Skylor Magee – Defensive Line Coach
Dino Waites – Cornerbacks Coach
Dylan Lewellyn – Special Teams Coordinator

Cory Peoples – Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Cory Peoples comes to Liberty after spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons at Georgia Tech as a Defensive Backs coach.

During his time at Georgia Tech, Peoples helped the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back bowl game appearances (2024 – Birmingham Bowl; 2025 – Pop-Tarts Bowl).

This past season, Georgia Tech posted a 9-4 record and finished the year ranked No. 24 in the final US LBM Coaches Poll. This marked the first time in 11 years that the Yellow Jackets have finished the season in the nation's top 25.

Georgia Tech's nine-win season in 2025 was tied for the 10th-most victories in program history. The team rose to as high as No. 7 in the national rankings in Weeks 9 and 10. Georgia Tech was ranked in the final 14 national polls of the season, which is its longest same-season streak since the Jackets were ranked in all 16 polls in 1999.

Georgia Tech was also 6-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, which was good for a tie for second place in the 17-team conference. The Yellow Jackets are the only ACC team that has finished in the top four of the conference standings each of the last three seasons.

In Peoples' first season at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets finished sixth in the ACC in passing defense (220.7 yards per game), which was tied for their second-best showing in 12 seasons.

Peoples' secondary also played a big role in the Jackets ranking sixth in the ACC in rushing defense (122.2 yards per game), as five of the team's top seven tacklers were defensive backs.

Peoples came to Tech from nearby Georgia State, where he spent four seasons (2020-23). He first served the programs as the Panthers' cornerbacks coach for two seasons (2020-21) before being elevated to secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator for his final two campaigns (2022-23).

During his time at Georgia State, the Panthers won a pair of bowl games. In 2021, the Panthers capped off an 8-5 record with a 51-20 victory over Ball State in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. Two years later, Georgia State closed out a 2023 season with a 45-22 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

In 2021, Georgia State ranked No. 15 in the country in tackles for a loss (7.1 per game) and No. 23 in sacks (2.92 per game). The team also ranked No. 30 in turnovers gained (21) and No. 31 in turnover margin (0.46).

Prior to his four seasons at Georgia State, Peoples spent one season as the cornerbacks coach at Georgia Southern (2018), a season as defensive coordinator at Albany State (2017), a season as defensive backs coach at South Carolina State (2016), two seasons as defensive backs coach at Charleston Southern (2014-15), a season as defensive backs coach at St. Augustine's (2013) and four seasons coaching defensive backs, special teams and serving as recruiting coordinator at Clark Atlanta (2009-12).

During his first coaching stint with Flames' Head Football Coach Jamey Chadwell (2014-15), Peoples helped Charleston Southern capture the Big South Football Championship title with a perfect 6-0 record in 2015.

Overall, the Buccaneers posted a 10-3 record in 2015, which included the program's first-ever NCAA FCS Playoff appearance, a first-round win over crosstown rival The Citadel and a second-round match-up against No. 1 Jacksonville State.

He began his coaching career with a season as an assistant at W.J. Keenan H.S. in Columbia, S.C. (2007), followed by a season as a graduate assistant at Georgia Military College (2008).

Peoples' resume also includes three National Football League Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowships with the Philadelphia Eagles (2012) and Kansas City Chiefs (2015 and 2016), all under three-time Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid.

As a player, Peoples helped Georgia Military College win the 2001 National Junior College Athletic Association national championship in 2001 before transferring to South Carolina in 2003, where he earned two letters as a defensive back.

He signed with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and spent parts of three seasons with the team. He also played professionally in NFL Europe (Amsterdam Admirals – 2006) and the Canadian Football League (Toronto Argonauts – 2007-09).

A Bishopville, S.C. native, Peoples graduated from South Carolina in 2005 (B.S. retail management).

He and his wife, Keilah, have three children – sons, C.J. and Lucas, and daughter, Isabella.

Peoples at a Glance
Coaching Experience:

2026 – Liberty (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Safeties Coach)
2024-25 – Georgia Tech (Defensive Backs Coach)
2022-23 – Georgia State (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach)
2020-21 – Georgia State (Cornerbacks Coach)
2018 – Georgia Southern (Cornerbacks Coach)
2017 – Albany State (Defensive Coordinator)
2016 – South Carolina State (Defensive Backs Coach)
2014-15 – Charleston Southern (Defensive Backs Coach)
2013 – St. Augustine's (Defensive Backs Coach)
2009-12 – Clark Atlanta (Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator)
2008 – Georgia Military College (Graduate Assistant)
2007 – W.J. Keenan (S.C.) High School (Assistant Coach)

Education: Bachelor's degree in retail management (South Carolina, '05)
Wife: Keilah
Children: C.J. and Lucas, and Isabella
Hometown: Bishopville, S.C.

Malcolm Dixon – Quarterbacks Coach
Malcolm Dixon came to Liberty Mountain when Jamey Chadwell was named Liberty's head football coach in December 2022.

Dixon served the program as a Senior Offensive Quality Control staff member during the 2023-24 seasons before being elevated to Assistant Quarterbacks Coach in 2025.

Dixon worked specifically with Liberty's offense that ranked No. 1 in the country in rushing offense in 2023, averaging 293.3 yards per game. Liberty finished the year rushing for a program-record 4,106 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Additionally, Liberty ranked No. 1 in tackles for a loss allowed (2.64 per game), No. 2 in sacks allowed (0.64 per game), No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.19), No. 3 in winning percentage (92.9), No. 4 in total offense (499.1 yards per game), No. 4 in first down offense (348), No. 8 in time of possession (33:04) and No. 9 scoring offense (38.3 points per game).

The Flames entered the 2023 bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and were one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Washington and eventual national champion Michigan.

The perfect undefeated regular season allowed Liberty to capture its first-ever Conference USA championship.

The unblemished regular season also earned the Flames its first-ever New Year's Six Bowl game appearance against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2024.
During the 2024 season, Liberty continued to be one of the top rushing offenses in the country, ranking No. 4 in rushing offense (250.7 yards per game). The Flames finished the year with an 8-4 record and faced Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl.

Dixon is no stranger to Chadwell's offense, having worked under and played for Chadwell during his coaching and collegiate playing career.

Dixon spent three years with Chadwell at Coastal Carolina (2020-22), working as the Chanticleers' tight ends coach (2020-21) and wide receivers coach (2022).

Dixon worked with the tight ends in each of his first two seasons for the Chanticleers and helped to mentor All-American Isaiah Likely. Likely went on to be drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (139th overall pick) in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In 2021, the Chanticleers went 11-2 overall and closed the year out with a 47-41 win over the 2021 MAC Champions in Northern Illinois at the 2021 Tailgreeter Cure Bowl.

In 2020, the Chanticleers won the program's first-ever Sun Belt Conference title, posted an 11-1 overall mark, including an 8-0 Sun Belt Conference record, and played in the program's first-ever FBS bowl game.

The 2020 season marked Coastal Carolina's first-ever undefeated regular season and the first time that the Chanticleers were ranked in either the Associated Press Top 25 Poll or the Amway Coaches Poll presented by USA Today Sports.

Dixon joined the Coastal Carolina football staff after one season at North Greenville where he coached the wide receivers.

Prior to his year-stint at North Greenville in 2019, Dixon spent four seasons at Charleston Southern (2014-18) where he began as a graduate assistant working with the offense and helping with day-to-day operations of the football program.

After two seasons, Dixon was promoted to coaching the tight ends and running backs. He also assisted in weekly game planning and scripting the team's daily practices. He was also in charge of coordinating the Charleston Southern special teams.

Dixon was also a four-year letterwinner at Charleston Southern, playing as the Buccaneer's quarterback from 2010-13.

He finished his playing days with the Buccaneers completing 199-of-388 passing attempts for 2,764 yards and threw for 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns.

During his final season at Charleston Southern, Dixon played for Chadwell during Chadwell's first year of four seasons with the Buccaneers. Dixon helped Chadwell post a 10-3 record in 2013, marking the first-ever 10-win season in Charleston Southern history.

Dixon graduated from Charleston Southern in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and again in 2016 with his MBA.

Dixon at a Glance
Coaching Experience:

2026 – Liberty (Quarterbacks Coach)
2025 – Liberty (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach)
2023-24 – Liberty (Senior Offensive Quality Control)
2022 – Coastal Carolina (Wide Receivers Coach)
2020-21 – Coastal Carolina (Tight Ends Coach)
2019 – North Greenville (Wide Receivers Coach)
2017-18 – Charleston Southern (Tight Ends and Running Backs/Special Teams)
2014-16 – Charleston Southern (Graduate Assistant – Offense)

Education: Bachelor's degree in kinesiology (Charleston Southern, '14), MBA (Charleston Southern, '16)
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.

Teddy Gallagher – Linebackers Coach
Teddy Gallagher came to Liberty Mountain when Jamey Chadwell was named Liberty's head football coach in December 2022.

Gallagher served the program as a Defensive Quality Control staff member during the 2023-24 seasons before being elevated to the Outside Linebackers Coach in 2025 and Linebackers Coach in 2026.

During his first season with the Flames, Liberty ranked No. 1 in the country with 21 interceptions, No. 3 in winning percentage (92.8) and No. 9 in turnovers gained (25).

The Flames entered the 2023 bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and were one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Washington and eventual national champion Michigan.

The perfect undefeated regular season allowed Liberty to capture its first-ever Conference USA championship.

The unblemished regular season also earned the Flames its first-ever New Year's Six Bowl game appearance against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2024.

During the 2024 season, Liberty ranked No. 19 in first down defense (226), No. 22 in red zone defense (76.1 percent) and No. 35 in passing yards allowed (196.3 yards per game).

A linebacker has finished as Liberty's top defensive player each of the three seasons Gallagher has been with the program (2023 – Tyren Dupree (123 tackles); 2024 – Joseph Carter (88 tackles); 2025 – Derrell Farrar (71 tackles)).

Gallagher is no stranger to Chadwell's program, having worked under and played for Chadwell during his coaching and collegiate playing career.

Following a standout four-year playing career at Coastal Carolina, Chadwell gave Gallagher his first coaching opportunity in 2022. Gallagher served Coastal Carolina's program as a Defensive Graduate Assistant.

The Chanticleers posted a 9-4 record in 2022 and played in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Coastal Carolina ranked No. 12 nationally in fumble recoveries (12), No. 14 in tackles for a loss (7.2 per game), No. 26 in team sacks (2.69 per game) and No. 35 in turnovers gained (21).

Gallagher had a stellar four-year career on the field for Coastal Carolina (2018-21), finishing up his time with the Chanticleers with the fourth-most career tackles in program history (306).

Gallagher was a three-time All-Sun Belt honoree, earning third-team accolades in both 2019 and 2020, as well as honorable mention honors in 2021.

In his four seasons at Coastal Carolina, Gallagher saw action in 48 games at the linebacker position. He totaled 306 tackles, including 151 solo stops and 155 assisted tackles, while also tallying 23.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. He also added two pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

With his 306 career tackles at Coastal Carolina, he became just the fourth Chanticleer in program history to eclipse the 300-career tackle mark.

Gallagher's 23.5 tackles for loss ranked 11^th best all-time at the time of his graduation, while his 15 tackles at Georgia Southern in 2019 were the most by a Chant in a single game since 2014.

In his final collegiate season in 2021, Gallagher ranked second on the team with 89 total tackles, including a team-high 40 solo tackles. He also had 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on the season.

In 2021, the Chanticleers went 11-2 overall and closed the year out with a 47-41 win over the 2021 MAC Champions in Northern Illinois at the 2021 Tailgreeter Cure Bowl.

In 2020, the Chanticleers won the program's first-ever Sun Belt Conference title, posted an 11-1 overall mark, including an 8-0 Sun Belt Conference record, and played in the program's first-ever FBS bowl game.

The 2020 season marked Coastal Carolina's first-ever undefeated regular season and the first time that the Chanticleers were ranked in either the Associated Press Top 25 Poll or the Amway Coaches Poll presented by USA Today Sports.

Prior to joining the staff at Coastal Carolina in 2022, Gallagher signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers and received a mini camp invite.

Gallagher began his collegiate career at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Calif. In 2017. He was a first-team Region IV All-California selection by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and was a unanimous first-team American Division All-Metro League selection.

He finished his solo season with the Gauchos with 44 tackles in nine games played. He also recorded 10.5 tackles for a loss (132 yards), including two sacks, two pass breakups, a blocked kick and a forced fumble.

Gallagher, who is a native of Pasadena, Calif, completed his bachelor's degree in finance at Coastal Carolina in 2021.

Gallagher at a Glance
Coaching Experience:

2026 – Liberty (Linebackers Coach)
2025 – Liberty (Outside Linebackers Coach)
2023-24 – Liberty (Defensive Quality Control)
2022 – Coastal Carolina (Defensive Graduate Assistant)

Education: Bachelor's degree in finance (Coastal Carolina, '21)
Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.

Schedule

Peoples Hire Completes 2026 Football Coaching Staff

Players Mentioned

Joseph Carter

Derrell Farrar

Peoples Hire Completes 2026 Football Coaching Staff

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