Several changes have been made across the board for the football coaching staff coming into spring practice for the 2012 season, Head Coach Willie Taggart announced on Friday.

Nick Sheridan was promoted to quarterbacks coach after serving as an offensive graduate assistant last season, filing a position Taggart held in 2011.

Sheridan will also serve as passing game coordinator, filling a hole in the coaching staff left by Zach Azzanni, who was hired as wide receivers coach by Wisconsin this offseason.

Four other moves were made on the offensive staff. Terry Obee will coach wide receivers after coaching running backs last season, a role which Taggart will take over.

Walt Wells will retain his position as running game coordinator as well as taking over as offensive line coach.

Stu Holt, who coached offensive tackles and tight ends last season, will focus exclusively on tight ends in the 2012 season.

Changes were also made to the team’s defensive staff.

After working with defensive backs for two seasons at WKU, Raymond Woodie will take over as linebackers coach.

Former defensive tackles coach Eric Mathies, in his eighth season with the Toppers, will coach the entire defensive line, and Karl Maslokowski will coach only the special teams after coaching special teams and linebackers last year.

The coaches will be put to the test for the first time on Sept. 1, when WKU takes on Austin Peay to kick of the 2012 season.