PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University head football coach Tom Anthony announced that Grant  Garner has been hired as the Gorillas offensive line coach and Jonny Bottorff has been hired as an offensive graduate assistant coach. Former Gorilla Jerek Butcher also has been hired as the staff's Director of Football Operations.

Additionally, tight ends coach Gregg Hollins has been elevated to wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, while offensive graduate assistant Chance Rieken will now serve as Pitt State's tight ends coach.

Hollins begins his third year on the Pitt State staff after serving as tight ends coach during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. He added Special Teams Coordinator duties in 2025 and will continue to handle those responsibilities again in 2026.

Rieken also begins his third season with the Gorillas. He came to Pitt State from Howard Payne University and helped the University of Mary Hardin Baylor win the NCAA Division III national championship in 2021.

"Gregg and Chance have both made a huge impact on our program over the last two years," Anthony said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to promote both into their new roles. They are incredible men that will continue to develop our current student-athletes, as well as recruit at an elite level for the Gorillas."

Garner comes to Pitt State after serving as an offensive line assistant at Oklahoma State University during the 2025 season. Prior to OSU, he spent nine years at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss., where he served as offensive line coach (2016-18) and offensive coordinator (2019-2024). He also served as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi (2013-14) and Southern Methodist University (2015).

Garner was a third-team Associated Press All-American center and was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior at Oklahoma State in 2011. He also spent time in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins before joining the coaching ranks. Garner earned a bachelor's degree in business management from OSU in 2010 and a master's degree in sport coaching education from USM in 2015. Grant and his wife, Bailey, have two sons, Gideon and Micah, and a daughter, Esther.

"Grant came highly recommended and blew us away during the interview process," Anthony said. "His knowledge of the game and ability to teach is second to none. The attention to detail that he approaches coaching is what really set him apart from all others during this process. We are excited to welcome Grant, his wife Bailey, and their three kids to Gorilla Nation."

Bottorff joins the Pitt State staff after serving as an offensive quality control assistant at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) this past fall. Bottorff played collegiately as an offensive lineman at MIAA rival Missouri Western State University (2019-2023) and NCAA Division I Northern Arizona University (2024-25). The Quincy, Ill., native was a two-time second-team All-Big Sky Conference performer for the Lumberjacks. He earned a bachelor's degrees at both MWSU and NAU.

"Jonny will be a great asset to our program," Anthony said. "He has a great working knowledge of the MIAA and Pittsburg State due to his time playing in our league. The connection I have with Coach (Brian) Wright at NAU is what put Jonny on our radar. I knew right away he was going to be a great addition for us after getting to know him throughout the search process."

Butcher joins the Gorillas staff after working as a student assistant for PSU Athletics in fan engagement and marketing for the past three years (2023-25). The Pittsburg native played linebacker for the Gorillas for two seasons (2021-22) after transferring to Pitt State from Butler Community College. Butcher earned a bachelor's degree in recreation services, sport and hospitality management in May 2023 and a master's degree in health, human performance and recreation in December 2025.

"Having the chance to see Jerek work in our athletic department for the last few years showed me just how strong his passion for Pitt State is," Anthony said. "He is a tireless worker and has a great personality. There is no doubt that he will continue to pour into our football program, athletic department, and university for years to come."