WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 7) – Waynesburg University Head Football Coach and Assistant Provost For Undergraduate Learning Experiences Dr. Cornelius Coleman is excited to announce two additions to his staff for the 2023 season. Nick Schroeder will serve as the program's new Recruiting Coordinator and Safeties Coach, while Marcelis Branch will work with the school's defensive backs.
 
Schroeder comes to Waynesburg after spending a year at fellow Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) member Saint Vincent as its Recruiting Coordinator and Safeties/Nickels Coach. Prior to his time in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he spent three seasons in the NCAA Division I FCS ranks. He was in Towson during the 2021-22 school year in a Defensive Quality Control position, and held the same position for two seasons at Duquesne.
 
Schroeder graduated from Duquesne in 2020 with a degree in Management after graduating from Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, in 2016.
 
Branch is one of the youngest members of the Yellow Jacket staff, but he brings a wealth of impressive playing experience with him to Waynesburg, including time in the National Football League.
 
Over five years with the Robert Morris football team, which included a redshirt year in 2014, Branch was named NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), second-team All-NEC (2012) and first-team All-NEC (2015, 2016). He was also honored as the 2017 Robert Morris University "Male Athlete of the Year."
 
After graduating from RMU in 2017 with a degree in Business Management, Branch was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons. He got to continue his playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and traveled back to his home state of Florida as a member of the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in 2020.
 
Branch completed his professional playing days in 2021 north of the border as a member of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also began his coaching career in the province of Alberta, when he spent the 2022 season as an Assistant to the Defensive Coordinator.
 
Branch is a 2012 graduate of Miami Southridge High School in Florida. While competing for the Spartans, he earned first-team All-Dade Honors (2011). During his high school playing career, he tallied 77 total tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.