The crazy Texas small college offseason continued to surprise last week with the announcement of Greg Ellis as head coach at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). Ellis was previously the head coach and athletic director at Texas College and spent 12 years in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The following is a recap of another busy week.

Western Athletic Conference

In his Extra Points newsletter, Matt Brown wrote that UIW will complete its move to the WAC on July 1st. Brown reports that UIW has participated in all annual WAC meetings, including last week's WAC Board of Directors meeting. Brown had previously reported that UIW entertained the idea of remaining in the Southland.

Zach McKinnell of TheBlueBloodsPod.com wrote about which transfers will impact their new team most in 2022. Earning a spot on the list is UIW QB Lindsey Scott Jr., who played in 18 games over the last two years at Nicholls.

Abilene Christian added another transfer from Texas Tech when PK Grant Nickel announced his commitment to the Wildcats. Nickel was a scout team member while serving his redshirt season.

The Wildcats also received a massive commitment from LB Izaiah Kelley, who saw action in nine games with SMU last season, primarily on special teams.

Lamar named Jeff O’Malley as Director of Athletics. O’Malley spent the last 20 years as the Associate Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff at Marshall. He will officially begin his new role with the Cardinals on July 1.

The Cardinals received a commitment from LB Robert Bonar, who did not see any action at Utah after walking on to the Utes in 2020.

Stephen F. Austin DE Wilburn Smallwood announced he is transferring to UIW. Smallwood was a 3-star out of Lufkin High School and was originally committed to Nevada before signing with the ‘Jacks. He did not appear in a game during his time at SFA.

SFA begins the season ranked No. 10, and UIW is No. 16 in the Athlon Sports’ Preseason FCS Top 25.

Southland Conference

Mark Pszonak of MikeFarrellSports.com wrote about the top 20 players to transfer from FCS to FBS during the offseason. No. 2 on the list is former UIW QB Cameron Ward, who transferred to Washington State.

Jared Miller wrote a story for UnderdogDynasty.com on the football programs transitioning to FCS in 2022, which includes Texas A&M-Commerce along with Lindenwood and Stonehill. 

Southwestern Athletic Conference

Former Texas Southern DE Michael Badejo received a tryout with the Carolina Panthers on Monday. Badejo was recently invited to the XFL Showcase.

Lone Star Conference

Joshua Atkinson announced on his Twitter account that he is Midwestern State's new wide receivers coach. Atkinson served as an offensive graduate assistant working primarily with receivers at Baylor since July 2020. He was a four-year letterman at Tulsa and spent two years as a graduate assistant with the Golden Hurricanes following his graduation in 2016.

West Texas A&M finished second in Division II LEARFIELD Director’s Cup standings. This is the fourth consecutive season WT has finished within the Top 10 and the third straight time inside the Top 5. Additionally, this is the second time in program history the Buffs finished in second place.

American Southwest Conference

Mary Hardin-Baylor announced they are naming the field at Crusader Stadium after legendary coach Pete Fredenburg. The Cru was 51-3 under Fredenburg at Crusader Stadium since it was built in 2013.

The Crusaders also received a commitment from San Antonio Brennan LB Alyzha Williams.

McMurry announced the addition of Galena Park North Shore WR Joseph Richard, Fort Worth Dunbar LB Markyiden James, La Porte WR Blaiz Bell, San Antonio Roosevelt OL Caleb Molina, Shepherd OL Hunter Barnett, Snyder LB Bryce Ford, and Houston Grace Christian RB Dominic Carroll to the War Hawks 2022 recruiting class.

Sooner Athletic Conference

Texas College named Randy Butler Athletic Director. Butler is an alum of TC and previously served as AD from 2012-2013. In addition, he has held administrative positions with Texas College and was running backs coach for the Steers in 2011.

Southwestern Junior College Football Conference

Tyler released its 2022 football schedule, featuring five home and non-conference games against RPA College and at Kilgore. The Apaches will host Kilgore in a conference game in Week 9.

Apache OL Ashton Savage announced his commitment to play at NCAA DII Pittsburgh State.

Navarro added Qua’von Matthews to its recruiting class. Matthews is transferring to the Bulldogs from Iowa, where he redshirted in his only season with the Hawkeyes.

The Bulldogs also added TE Allen Horace II, who is transferring from UTSA. Horace appeared in seven games in 2020, mainly as a special teams contributor, and redshirted last year.

Another addition to Navarro’s roster is Auburn QB transfer, Tyler Ward. Ward was a two-star recruit out of Calabasas High School in Aspen, Colo., in 2021. However, he did not receive any playing time with the Tigers.

Hillcrest WR/OLB Shannon Cruse announced he would also be attending Navarro this fall.

The following players from Navarro have transferred to four-year schools. These include DB Louis Moore (Indiana), DB Preston Hodge (Liberty), DL Mike Sandjo (SMU), OL Phillip Houston (Florida International), QB Jack Turner (Louisiana Tech), P Ryan Shamburger (Minnesota), WR Zavion Taylor (Indiana State), QB Zy Gravitt (Texas A&M-Kingsville), and K Alexis Lopez (East Central).