Head Coach Butch Davis announced on Tuesday the addition of James Vollono to the FIU football staff. Vollono will serve as the Panthers' special teams coordinator. "James Vollono brings a wealth of experience to our staff," Davis said.

"He has a strong background in special teams play, having worked at Mississippi State and most recently at Georgia. He was also on my staff at North Carolina and did an outstanding job working with Connor Barth. Coach Vollono is an excellent teacher that understands how critical and important special teams are. I'm thrilled to have him be a part of the FIU football staff."

Vollono comes to FIU after serving as an analyst for special teams with the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2016 season. Prior to joining Georgia's staff, Vollono spent three years at Mississippi State. From 2013 to 2014, he was a quality control assistant for special teams, and in 2015, he was a quality control assistant for offense in addition to continuing his work with special teams.

During his time in Starkville, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history, and stayed in that position for five weeks which led to Dan Mullen being named 2014 SEC Coach of the Year. MSU's special teams led the SEC in kickoff coverage in both 2014 and 2015. The Bulldogs also set a new program record by blocking four kicks in 2014, a mark they matched in 2015.

Prior to joining Mullen's staff, Vollono spent one season at Colorado as a special teams assistant. From 2009-2011, Vollono was an assistant at Towson. In his time with the Tigers, he spent two seasons as special teams coordinator, and also worked with running backs and tight ends. He served as the lead recruiter for current NFL running back Terrance West, whose rushing paved the way for Towson to win the Colonial Athletic Association Championship and reach the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2011. After that season, West won the Jerry Rice Award given to the top player in the FCS and Towson Head Coach Rob Ambrose was named the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year. West went on to set the FCS single-season record for rushing yards in his junior year.

Vollono spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons, under Coach Davis, at North Carolina as the Tar Heels' special teams quality control and offensive assistant. During his time in Chapel Hill, he worked with kicker Connor Barth who earned All-ACC honors in 2007 and is currently with the Chicago Bears. Vollono began his coaching career at the United States Naval Academy, and later held positions at Annapolis High School and Georgetown.

In 2003, he graduated from The Catholic University of America with a bachelor's degree in political science. He also holds a master's degree in teaching from Mississippi State. Vollono joins previously announced Rich Skrosky (offensive coordinator), Allen Mogridge (offensive line), Eric Thatcher (defensive backs), Kenny Holmes (defensive line), Kevin Beard (wide receivers), Brent Guy (defensive coordinator), Bobby Babich (secondaries) and Tim Harris, Jr., (running backs) on Coach Davis' staff.