MACOMB, Ill. - Gunnard Twyner, a three-time All- Conference selection during his playing days at Western Illinois University, has joined head coach Mark Hendrickson's football coaching staff. He officially begins his duties on Thursday (July 15).

Twyner will coach the wide receivers, a position at which he earned First Team All-Gateway Conference (now known as Missouri Valley Football Conference) honors from 1993-95. During his junior year in 1994, Twyner was named Honorable Mention All-America.

He still ranks second among the Leathernecks all-time in receptions (144) and receiving yards (2,243). Twyner's record of four touchdown receptions in a game and 33 consecutive games with a catch still stand in the Western Illinois annals. He also ranks fifth all-time with 14 touchdown catches and ninth having averaged 15.6 yards per catch. Twyner is listed in four different season 'Top 10' receiving categories as well.

"I feel very fortunate to return to Leatherneck Football and begin my collegiate coaching career. I have great memories from my playing days and am looking forward to helping the Leathernecks get back to being a championship contender," said Twyner. "I've gained a great deal of experience from my playing days - both collegiately and professionally - and the time I have worked coaching. I want to thank coach Hendrickson for this opportunity."

His standout playing days as a Leatherneck and professionally has helped him in his coaching career. Last summer Twyner worked with the Indianapolis Colts as an assistant quarterbacks coach (working with QB coach Frank Reich) as part of the NFL Minority Coaching internship. He assisted with quarterback, running back and wide receiver drills and sat in on all meetings.

From 2006-07 he served as head coach at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Taking over a program that had not won a game in four years, Twyner turned the 2006 squad into a 10-2 team that advanced to the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs. He was named state of Maryland 'Coach of the Year'. The following year JFK went 9-3 and again advanced to the playoffs. He worked as a volunteer coach for three seasons prior at Seneca Valley HS and Churchill HS in Maryland.

"Gunnard was a walk-on at Western Illinois who became the program's career receiving leader. His numbers stood in the record book for more than 15 years," said coach Hendrickson. "Gunnard spent a few seasons playing in the NFL and then gained valuable coaching experience at both the high school and professional level. I know our players will respond in a very positive way to Gunnard's enthusiasm for the game of football."

Twyner was in the NFL from 1996-99. He originally signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals and played two games during the 1997 season. Twyner was with the New Orleans Saints from 1997-99 and was in training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000.

He played for five seasons in the Arena Football League. During his rookie year with Tampa Bay, Twyner set an AFL rookie season record for most touchdown receptions as the team advanced to the second round of the playoffs. He also played with Buffalo and Columbus before concluding his professional playing career in 2004.

Twyner received his bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Western in 1996.