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Football
- Title:
- Cornerbacks Coach
- Email:
- lufootball@liberty.edu
- Start Date:
- 01/01/2023
Dino Waites helped Liberty to unprecedented heights during his first season on the Mountain at Cornerbacks Coach in 2023.
Liberty entered bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and was one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Washington and eventual national champion Michigan.
Waites helped the Flames to an unblemished 8-0 regular season record in Conference USA and a 49-35 win over New Mexico State in the CUSA Football Championship game.
The team’s success positioned the Flames to receive their first-ever invitation to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game. Liberty squared off against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Liberty’s defense proved to be very opportunistic during the 2023 season as the Flames led the nation with 21 total interceptions and ranked No. 9 in the country in turnovers gained (25).
Each turnover resulted in a viral celebration with the player who recorded the turnover wearing the famed Liberty Flames’ Joker mask while celebrating with his teammates and coaches on the sidelines.
The Flames returned two of their national-leading 21 interceptions for a touchdown in 2023, allowing Liberty to rank No. 29 nationally in defensive touchdowns scored (2).
While Liberty’s offense led the country in rushing offense (293.3 yards per game), the Flames’ defensive counterparts were just as tough against the run. Liberty finished the 2023 season ranked No. 24 in the country in rushing defense (116.7 yards allowed per game).
Multiple defensive players were honored for the Flames during the 2023 season, including one of Waites’ top cornerback Kobe Singleton, who was named to the Conference USA all-conference first team.
Waites came to Liberty after spending the 2022 season just over the Blue Ridge Mountains as the safeties coach at VMI.
Prior to his days in Lexington, Waites served as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach at Albany State in Albany, Ga.
Waites helped the Golden Rams claim the 2021 SIAC Football Championship and advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Albany State finished the year with a 10-2 record and was ranked No. 1 in the country in total defense (199.2 yards allowed per game)
Albany State also posted six shutouts during the 2021 season and was ranked No. 1 in the country in scoring defense (6.2 points allowed per game).
Waites got his coaching career started at his alma mater where he served on staff at Carson-Newman for eight seasons (2013-20).
At Carson-Newman, he guided the wide receivers for one year before moving to the defensive side to coach the Eagles’ secondary for the next seven seasons. He also spent time as the special teams coordinator during his tenure in Jefferson City.
Waites was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year for his efforts as Carson-Newman’s defensive backs and special teams coach in 2013.
Waites coached his first All-American in 2013 when Eien Jacob picked off five passes to lead the team. He was second in the SAC with the tally as the transfer garnered All-American honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette.
He has also been instrumental in the development of TraShaun Ward as a return man. Ward ended his Carson-Newman career as the school record holder for total kickoff return yards, a record he set in his junior season.
Waites was a former standout safety for Carson-Newman for three seasons. He was a preseason All-SAC selection twice and helped the Eagles record a 10-1 record in 2007.
Waites had a five-year career with the Eagles but saw both his final seasons end early with injuries. In 2007 he finished fourth on the team in tackles, led the team in pass breakups with 10, pass defenses with 11 and had one interception.
Waites, a native of Alma, Ga., earned two degrees at Carson-Newman. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in middle grade education in 2009 and earned a master’s degree in curriculum studies in 2011.
Waites at a Glance
Coaching Experience:
- 2023-24 – Liberty (CB)
- 2022 – VMI (S)
- 2021 – Albany State (Co-DC/S)
- 2012-20 – Carson-Newman (DB, WR, ST. Coordinator)
Education: Bachelor's degree in middle grade education (Carson-Newman, '09); master’s degree in curriculum studies (Carson-Newman, ’11)
Hometown: Alma, Ga.
Wife: Maddie
Children: James, Titus and Rose
