Over the past month the Central Michigan football coaching staff took a couple of big hits, losing tight ends coach Sherrone Moore and defensive backs coach Archie Collins.

Moore has moved on to the University of Michigan while Collins took off for a similar position at Pittsburgh. And while many fans felt these losses would leave huge voids, they've only opened up greater opportunity for the next man up.

CMU head coach John Bonamego knows that it's part of the process being at a school like Central Michigan, and he knows that he may lose staff members for bigger opportunities.

"When you talk about Sherrone and Archie, they are very deserving of where they are. They didn't leave because they were unhappy," Bonamego said. "But I feel the individuals we are bringing in are going to fill those roles nicely. In each one of these positions we haven't lost any ground."

Bonamego started the staff rebuild by bringing in Tavita Thompson, a tight ends coach from Nebraska who held a graduate assistant title based on numbers only. Thompson, from Hawaii, played college football at Oregon State and spent time in the NFL as an offensive lineman. He was one of the finalist for the position and when he came to Mount Pleasant, he crushed his interview.

"His name kept coming up," Bonamego exclaimed multiple times. "He is a highly personable, detail oriented technician. He's going to do a phenomenal job coaching the tight ends, and he will also be a great recruiter."

In fact, it was Thompson that recruited both quarterback Tony Poljan and tight end Keegan Cossou for Nebraska when they were in high school. Bonamego said he consulted with them, and that they gave very high remarks about their future assistant coach.

Thompson also brings some versatility to the table. While he will assume the role of tight ends coach, his experience on the offensive line gives him expertise in other areas, making any other potential transitions in the future seamless.

CMU's most recent hire to the staff is Tony Coaxum, who will assume the role of special teams coordinator. Bonamego has known Coaxum since he was 18 years old playing football at Army West Point, where the CMU coach was an assistant.

Coaxum's most recent experience comes from being a special teams assistant with the Denver Broncos. He was a part of the Broncos' staff that won Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

"I've been to so many places and made connections with so many people," said Bonamego. "That gives me the ability to identify the next guy that's going to be up and coming."

While no official word has come down on a new defensive backs coach yet, Bonamego said he involved his players with every position that he has interviewed new coaches for. He said it's important they know they are his top priority and to let them feel empowered in a way with the process.

While Sherrone Moore was considered the team's "recruiting coordinator", Bonamego said that it's more of an administrative title. The recruiting runs through him, but there are staff members that spearhead the process.

Albert Karschnia, the team's Director of Player Personnel, is the main head of the recruiting process under Bonamego. The team will also have a representative on both offense and defense that will meet weekly to discuss recruiting and offers out to players.

Spring practice starts Tuesday, March 20 and the annual Maroon and Gold spring game will take place at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, April 21.