Nate Byham Named Tight Ends Coach
ALBANY, N.Y. -- University at Albany head footbal coach Greg Gattuso has announced the hiring of Nate Byham as the Great Danes' tight ends coach for the 2015 season.
Byham served as a volunteer assistant for UAlbany in 2014 and helped the Danes to a 7-5 overall record. Byham assisted the tight ends and saw senior Brian Parker earn third-team All-CAA honors, as he totaled 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 39 receptions.
“I recruited Nate to the University of Pittsburgh way back and I've always loved his enthusiasm,” said Gattuso. “He loves the game and I think he can bring some toughness and youthful experience to our staff. Somebody that played in the NFL and that can relate to the kids is a good fit.”
A sixth round pick (182nd overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Byham battled in 29 NFL games, playing 14 games, including three starts, with the 49ers before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Byham last signed with the New England Patriots but was released prior to the 2014 season. In his four NFL seasons, Byham totaled 11 receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
While Gattuso was on the coaching staff at the University of Pittsburgh, Byham was a three-year starter for the Panthers (2006-09), seeing action in 48 games with 36 starts. Byham served as a team captain during his senior season, also earning All-Big East honors after starting 12 games and catching 10 passes for 108 yards. As a junior, he recorded 20 catches for 260 yards in 12 starts and was named first- team All-Big East.
Byham attended Franklin High School (Franklin, Pa.), where he helped lead his team to three district playoff berths as a three-year starter, seeing action at both tight end and linebacker. He was considered the nation's top prep tight end by Scout.com and was named first-team All-State, All-Region, All-District and All- Conference after recording 45 catches for 883 yards and a school-record nine touchdowns as a senior. Was also an all-star performer in basketball, helping Franklin win the state AAA championship in 2006.
Byham and his wife, Erica, married in July 2012.
