David Needs returns for his 16th season as an assistant coach at Carson-Newman.

After assisting with the quarterbacks in his first year, he assumed the role of receiver's coach in 1997. Since then, Needs has coached four All-Conference players including All-American Ques Rumph in 1999.

During the last two seasons, Needs was the position coach for quarterback Alex Good, who garnered first team All-SAC honors after leading the Eagles to 49 points per game in 2007 and second team All-SAC honors last season.

Needs is also the head coach of the Carson-Newman track team. Several C-N football players have decided to become two-sport athletes and have joined the track team. The 2004-05 season saw Lady Eagle Amy Cate participate in the National Championships in the high jump for the second consecutive year. He is the coordinator of the speed program at C-N where he works on improving the players running speed and form. Needs has recently had articles published in national football magazines including; "Using The Passing Game To Make Your Option Offense Explosive" published in Gridiron Strategy and "Teaching Wide Receivers the Critical Skills" published in American Football Monthly.

The Wilmington, Del., native was also published in the AFCA Summer manual in `07. His article "Incresing Your Options" broached the subject of incorporating the pass into an option offense, which turned out to be fitting, as the Eagles led the nation in pass efficiency in the season that followed.

Needs is a 1992 graduate of C-N with a degree in Political Science. The former quarterback was a member of Eagle national championship teams in 1988 and 1989. Before coming to C-N, he was the offensive coordinator at Mount Pleasant High School in Wilmington, Del.

Needs earned a Master's degree in Education at Carson-Newman in 1998. He also takes a leadership role in getting players involved in community outreach, such as the "One Way 2 Play - Drug Free" program and visits to area schools, churches and correctional facilities.

Needs and his wife, Melissa, who works in financial aid at C-N, reside in Morristown. The couple has three children - D.J., Tyler and Keely