Beginning his second season as a member of the ISU coaching staff is Paul Macklin. He coaches the Sycamores stable of talented running backs.

Macklin had three runners average 3.5 yards per carry during the 2003 season with Jake Shields leading the way with an average of 5.3 yards per carry and 825 yards gained.

Macklin is a 1996 graduate of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., where he was a wide receiver. A four-year starter, Macklin was a member of the CIAA All-Academic team as a freshman.

While at Virginia Union, Macklin was tutored by former Philadelphia Eagle great Harold Jackson, and worked at football camps at Penn State with Kenny Jackson.

Macklin taught biology and coached football in Newport News, Va., at Menchville and Heritage High School for three years.

At Heritage, Macklin was the wide receivers and defensive backs coach as the team went 14-0 en route to the State Championship.