STATESBORO - Former NFL tight end Richard Owens has been named the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Georgia Southern football program, as announced Tuesday by head coach Clay Helton. Owens comes to Statesboro after three successful seasons as the offensive line coach at UAB.

In 2021, his line led the way for an offense that averaged 386 yards per game (180 rushing, 206 passing) with 43 offensive touchdowns (27 rushing, 20 passing). The Blazers capped a nine-win season by putting up over 400 yards of offense in an Independence Bowl win over No. 13 BYU. The big guys up front, led by first-team all-conference selection Colby Ragland, helped pave the way for DeWayne McBride to rush for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns and protected for 2,200-yard passer Dylan Hopkins. Under Owens's tutelage, Andrew Smith Jr., Kadeem Telfort and Matthew Trehern earned honorable mention all-conference accolades.

"We are very excited to welcome Richard Owens to Eagle Nation as our new Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator," Helton said. "Richard is known in our profession for producing physical, tough and disciplined offensive line units. His offensive line was a huge reason for UAB's success over the past three seasons. His units have brought impressive numbers both in the running game and protecting the quarterback. Richard understands what it takes to play at the highest level having been a part of the NFL for five seasons. Having grown up right across the state line in Middleburg, Florida, he understands our southeast recruiting footprint. The production of our offensive line will be raised to new heights under his leadership."

"Eagle Nation, I can't wait to join Coach Helton's staff and get to work," Owens exclaimed. "Georgia Southern University is a program that is enriched with - and known for its - great history, tradition and culture. I'm looking forward to being a part of it. Let's get going. Hail Southern!"

In 2020, Owens helped the Blazers win their third straight C-USA West Division title and its second C-USA Championship in a three-year span. The Blazers' offensive line had a tremendous season led by first-team All-Conference USA selections Sidney Wells and Ragland. The Blazer offensive line assisted the ground game in rushing for 200.0 yards per game and gave up the nation's fourth-fewest sacks (4).

The line also helped Spencer Brown re-write the record books by graduating as UAB's career leading rusher (4,011 yards). Brown had his best season behind UAB's offensive line, running for a career-best 111.1 yards per game as a senior.

In Owens' first year as the offensive line coach, the Blazers finished 9-5 overall and won the C-USA West Division title. Owens guided two players in Wells and Ragland to honorable mention All-Conference USA honors. Wells started all 14 games, while Ragland started all 13 games he played in as these two anchored the line the entire season.

Despite having nine different starting lineups throughout the season due to injury, the Blazers gave up just 25 sacks the entire year. The offensive line also helped UAB average 150.8 rushing yards per game.

Owens was a five-year NFL tight end with the Vikings, Rams and Jets from 2004-09. He accumulated 16 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown in his three-year career with Minnesota. In 2004, Owens started two of the eight games he played in, caught eight passes for 69 yards, and made three special teams tackles. He joined defensive tackle Spencer Johnson and long snapper Cullen Loeffler as the only rookie free agents to make the opening-day roster in 2004 and was one of eight Vikings rookies to start a 2004 regular-season game.

Owens began his coaching career in 2010 at the University of Arkansas and was with the Razorbacks as a graduate assistant working with tight ends for two seasons.

Owens then joined the Blazers in 2012 as the tight ends coach, and in 2013 was named the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. In 2014, Bill Clark's first year at UAB, Owens coached the tight ends.

Following the 2014 season, Owens went to South Alabama for three years as the tight ends coach in 2015 and the offensive line coach from 2016-17. He then worked at the University of Louisville, his alma mater, in 2018 as the tight ends coach and director of on-campus recruiting.

Owens and his wife Tina have one daughter, Rylan.