ELON, N.C. – Elon University first-year head football coach Pete Lembo today announced the hiring of Lenoir-Rhyne College assistant Ricky Perez as the Phoenix wide receivers coach, completing the full-time members of his 2006 staff.

Before spending last season at Lenoir-Rhyne, Perez spent the 2004 campaign as an offensive graduate assistant for Youngstown State University, working with the receivers, assisting with the special teams and running the scout units. Earlier in 2004, Perez volunteered as a defensive backs coach at Winston-Salem State University during its winter workouts and spring practices.

“I am pleased that our thorough search for a wide receivers coach has come to a successful conclusion with the hiring of coach Perez,” said Lembo. “Ricky (pictured left) is a young coach who is mature beyond his years.”

Perez, 25, graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 2003. He played for the Demon Deacon football program for four years as a wide receiver, cornerback and special teams member. He was a member of Wake Forest's 1999 Aloha Bowl and 2002 Seattle Bowl championship squads.

“He is bright, articulate, and as a former student-athlete at Wake Forest, understands the rigors of balancing academics and athletics at a challenging institution like Elon,” said Lembo. “Coach Perez recruited Atlanta last year for Lenoir-Rhyne, and we look forward to having him assist our efforts in that important metropolitan area.”

Perez graduated from Bedford Heights (Ohio) High School in 1999 after fashioning a stellar athletic career there. During his senior season, the three-year starter led the Bedford Heights football team to its first league title in 72 years. Perez also lettered in basketball and track and field, serving as a team captain in all three sports.

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