Tony Samuel

Tony Samuel (born November 14, 1955) is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University, a position he has held since the 2005 season. Samuel's previous head coaching position was with New Mexico State University from 1997 to 2004. He had a 34–57 record at New Mexico State, which puts him third all-time for wins in program history.

Playing career
Samuel played four years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and was a member of Tom Osborne's first recruiting class. He was a two-year starter at defensive end, played in four bowl games and earned honorable mention All-Big Eight Conference honors as a senior.

Early coaching career
From 1986 to 1996, Samuel coached the outside linebackers and rush ends at Nebraska, his alma mater, for legendary head coach Tom Osborne. He mentored six first team All-Americans and 12 future National Football League players, including first-round draft picks Broderick Thomas (1989), Mike Croel (1991), Trev Alberts (1994) and Grant Wistrom (1998). During Samuel's 11 seasons with the Cornhuskers, they were national champions in 1994 and 1995, captured seven Big Eight/Big 12 Conference championships, averaged 10 wins per year and played in 11 bowl games.

Personal life
A native of Trinidad, West Indies, Samuel moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, at the age of 10. He earned his B.S. degree in education from Nebraska in 1981. He has four children and one grandchild.