Former Southeast wide receiver joins coaching staff

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz added another member to his coaching staff today.

Willie Ponder, a former Southeast wide receiver and NFL player, will join the staff as an offensive assistant and work with wide receivers.

Ponder, who played at Southeast in 2001 and 2002, redshirted at Coffeyville Community College in 2000. Matukewicz coached the offensive line and tight ends at Coffeyville at the time.

"Coach Tuke has been very influential to me and was always one of those guys that would never let me slack off," Ponder said in a press release. "I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to being part of his staff."

Ponder earned several honors during his two-year career at Southeast, including being named an Associated Press All-American, American Football Coaches Association All-American and Sports Network All-American. He was also named first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference.

He holds several Southeast records as well. His 2,543 career receiving yards, 26 receiving touchdowns and 6.83 receptions per game still stand as records today.

During 2002 he set single-season records with 87 receptions, 1,453 yards receiving, 15 receiving touchdowns and 7.25 receptions per game.

He was a sixth-round draft pick by the New York Giants in the 2003 NFL Draft. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2006 and was with the St. Louis Rams in 2007.

According to the release, Ponder also will complete his degree in general studies at Southeast.