After looking on the outside, Southern Utah found the next leader of its football program by looking within.
The Big Sky Conference university announced on Sunday the promotion of defensive coordinator Demario Warren to head coach. Warren succeeds Ed Lamb, who resigned Dec. 27 after eight seasons to join Kalani Sitake's staff at BYU.
Warren will be introduced Monday at a news conference on campus.
"As we entered this process, I had a high level of confidence that Demario was an up-and-comer in this industry and a key component of how this program has been built over the past eight years," athletic director Jason Butikofer said.
Warren tweeted Sunday night that he was "humbled and honored" by the promotion.
Humbled and honored to be named the newest HC of SUU. Big opportunity, big responsibility! We are ready to get to work. #tbirdnation
— Demario Warren (@DemarioWarren) January 11, 2016Warren, a UC Davis graduate, has spent the past eight seasons at Southern Utah and the last two as the defensive coordinator. The Thunderbirds led the FCS in turnover margin and the Big Sky in scoring defense this season, and they won the conference title with defensive standouts such as defensive end James Cowser, safety Miles Killebrew and cornerback LeShaun Sims.
Warren, a native of Fairfield, California, has also served as Southern Utah's secondary and linebackers coach.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.