RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush announced on Monday the hiring of Zach Waller, who was the equipment graduate assistant at South Dakota last season, as the new equipment coordinator.
 
Waller brings additional experience working as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp Assistant (2025), a United Football League (UFL) Laundry and Warehouse Intern (spring 2025), and an equipment student assistant at North Texas (2022-24).
 
"We're excited to add Zach to our football support staff," director of football operations & administration John Simmons said. "I have a great deal of respect for the people Zach's trained under, and throughout the interview process he showed he's ready to step into this role. He's seen how things are done at the highest level and is prepared to take our equipment operations to the next step. With the facilities we have here and Zach's work ethic and attention to detail, he'll be a great fit for our program. We're excited to welcome him to the Valley."
 
While at South Dakota, which finished the 2025 season ranked 11^th in the final American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll, Waller oversaw a team of 12 while handling equipment and laundry operations.
 
During his time with the Buccaneers, Waller assisted with training camp and preseason equipment operations, including daily practice set up, ball boy operations, and game-week preparation.
 
While with the UFL, Waller collaborated with the equipment managers from all eight teams to create a comprehensive laundry operation servicing more than 700 athletes. He also coordinated locker room transitions between UFL and minor league soccer teams while handling inventory of equipment for all teams.
 
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the UTRGV football program," Waller said. "I want to thank Coach Bush, John Simmons, and the entire staff for trusting me with this role, and I'm excited to bring my experience and work ethic to the Valley to support our student-athletes and help move the program forward."
 
Waller got his start as an undergraduate at North Texas, during which he managed the preparation of footballs, tested equipment, coordinated setup and breakdown of field equipment and locker rooms, and assisted with laundry and inventory.
 
He graduated from North Texas in July 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management and became an Athletic Equipment Managers Association Certified Equipment Manager in December 2025.

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