When Milo Austin and Rob Tenyer first met 20 years ago, neither could have imagined the working relationship they'd have now.? 

It was 1998 in Kutztown, Penn., that Austin, a talented young high school freshman, would participate in an ASC Contact Football Camp.?Among his instructors, a 26-year-old Tenyer, who would soon work his way into the college coaching ranks.? 

Fast forward to 2015 and that friendship would come full circle as Tenyer, then two seasons into his current head coaching tenure at Morehead State University, hired Austin to be the team's tight ends/slots coach and video coordinator.? 

Now three years later, Austin has been promoted to associate head coach—the first at MSU since John Gilliam served in that capacity under longtime Head Coach Matt Ballard six years ago. 

"I'm humbled by the confidence Coach T has placed in me," said Austin, who also serves as the wide receivers coach and co-coordinator of special teams.?"It allows me to not only coach, but also be involved on the administration side.? It gives coach someone to lean on." 

For Tenyer, Austin's promotion made sense for all the right reasons. 

"He brings stability to this program and is very loyal person.?He's a great communicator, has tremendous rapport with the players and a fantastic work ethic. Milo's a knowledgeable coach whom I trust and depend on. His opinion always matters." 

"Coach T and I are open and honest with each other, both personally and professionally.?We want what is best for this program.?There are no egos involved—just a phenomenal working relationship." 

Austin has an impressive football resume, to say the least.?As a player, he was Atlantic Central Football Conference Freshman of the Year at Division III Salisbury in 2001.?He would later transfer to West Virginia, where he was a wide receiver on the 2004 Big East Conference Championship team.? 

After earning his bachelor's degree from WVU in 2006, he stepped onto the sidelines as an assistant coach at Midwestern State (Texas) before moving on to Hampton, Cincinnati and Montana State.? 

In the past year, Austin took advantage of two amazing opportunities.?First, he visited Harbin, China for three weeks in June with Athletes in Action. He was one of nine coaches that led Team USA (17 to 25-year-olds) to complete in the FISU World Collegiate Games.  The squad played four games total, including three in seven days, with Austin coaching running backs and special teams. 

"It was the trip of a lifetime to experience another culture and be an ambassador for the game I love," Austin said. "There's so much history there, just to walk the streets, sample the cuisine and attempt to communicate through a translator was all just phenomenal." 

For Austin, a special part of the trip was the opportunity to share his Christian faith.   

"I got to speak to guys on a one-on-one basis to share my heart and beliefs. As a man of faith, that was important and something I enjoyed very much. The entire experience, I would absolutely love to do it again." 

After returning from China, Austin immediately flew to Costa Mesa, California to work the NFL Training Camp of the Los Angeles Chargers as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship program. Austin did on-the-field coaching, tutored wide receivers and drew up plays. Austin described the week as "a phenomenal experience." 

In all, Austin logged nearly 20,000 travel miles this summer and is bringing lessons learned from these experiences back to Morehead State. He's placing an emphasis on recruiting high character young men with a strong work ethic both on the field and in the classroom.   

"We've got kids coming to MSU that want to be part of something special, they don't want to miss out. We've got some outstanding transfers and junior college players who are great young men and play the game the right way."  

Austin says the goal is simple:  make a run at Pioneer League Championship. He regularly has one-on-one conversations with players to ensure everyone is laser focused. 

"We all have to be dialed in to the same goal. We've got to eliminate all distractions and work harder than we ever have.  Our guys are maturing and we now have the depth to get it done. A championship is within our grasp. We want to accomplish something that guys will still be talking about 30 years from now." 

Austin, a native of Prince Georges County, Md., has one daughter, 10-year-old Nevaeh.