FLORENCE, Ala. (December 18, 2025) – University of North Alabama head football coach
Brent Dearmon named a new offensive coordinator on Thursday during a press conference on campus, officially announcing Travis Partridge to the position.
Partridge will handle play-calling duties and will coach quarterbacks for the Lions. He will replace Morgan Cruce, who recently accepted a position outside of coaching. Craig Schurig will remain on the offensive staff and will work with tight ends.
Partridge comes to UNA from Bowling Green, where he served as co-offensive coordinator and pass game coordinator. He was also on Eddie George's staff at Tennessee State as the OC in 2024, where he helped the Tigers make the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Prior to Tennessee State, Partridge was the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UT Martin in 2022 and 2023. The Skyhawks were among the top three offensives in the conference both seasons. He came to UT Martin from Kansas, where he was working with Dearmon under Les Miles for three seasons. He went from offensive quality control coach in 2019 and 2020 to interim quarterbacks coach in 2021.
"Travis Partridge is a home run hire for us," said Dearmon. "Bringing in an FBS caliber coordinator will allow me to facilitate all aspects of the program even more with my hands off of the offense. Travis has been successful at multiple FCS programs and coached the QB position at an extremely-high level."
While at TSU in 2024 — his most recent FCS stop — he guided quarterback Dralyen Ellis to top-15 FCS rankings in passing yards (3,029) and passing touchdowns (24). He also worked with UT Martin quarterback Dresser Winn, an all-conference selection who totaled 2,928 yards and 18 touchdowns.
"I'm honored to be able to join the rich tradition of the North Alabama football program," said Partridge. "I believe in Coach Dearmon and his vision for the future. My family and I can't wait to join the wonderful community here."
His coaching journey began at Delta State in 2017, where he served as a graduate assistant, primarily working with quarterbacks. Delta State achieved a 9-4 record, finishing tied for second in the Gulf Coast Conference standings, with an offensive average of 30.1 points per game and 50 touchdowns.
His initial tenure at UT Martin began in 2018, as he worked under head coach Jason Simpson as the quarterback coach, overseeing a season where Skyhawk quarterbacks threw for 2,917 yards and 21 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 62.8.
Before transitioning to coaching, Partridge had a successful professional playing career, signing with the Minnesota Vikings as a priority free agent in 2014 and later playing for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Additionally, he excelled in the Indoor Football League with the Iowa Barnstormers.
Partridge is from St. Joseph, Mo. and played for his father, Jerry Partridge, at Missouri Western State from 2009-2013 — the same school where
Dr. Josh Looney was athletic director before coming to UNA.
Partridge holds various career records at Missouri Western, including passes completed, pass attempts, pass yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage. Partridge also set the career rushing touchdowns mark and ranks fourth in career passing yards per game.
His father, Jerry, was recently the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at UT Martin. Last week, he was named the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State. Jerry is a hall of fame head coach with 149 career wins at Missouri Western. Travis' grandfather, Gerald Partridge, was a hall of fame high school coach, winning 200 games at Warrensburg High School and Ruskin High School in Kansas City, Mo.
Partridge received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Missouri Western in 2013 and prepped at Savannah High School, where he was an all-district and second-team all-conference quarterback.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
