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Jeremy Rowell is in his sixth season on the Georgia Southern football staff and his fourth as the outside linebackers coach after serving as the defensive backs coach in 2016 and 2017. The veteran coach has nearly 20 seasons of college experience, including eight as a defensive coordinator.
In 2020, his outside backers combined for 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as the Eagle defense finished 14th in the country in total defense, 14th in rushing defense and first in turnovers forced. In 2019, Randy Wade Jr. led the squad in tackles for loss with 12.0 and four sacks while Jay Bowdry finished with 4.5 tackles for loss and five pass break ups.
In 2018, his outside linebacking crew got better as the season moved along as they continued to learn the new 3-4 defense. The Eagles led the FBS with a +22 turnover margin and improved across the board in the new scheme. In 2019, Randy Wade Jr. led the squad in tackles for loss with 12.0 and four sacks while Jay Bowdry finished with 4.5 tackles for loss and five pass break ups.
In 2017 his defensive secondary, led by second-team all-conference selection Monquavion Brinson, tallied 12 interceptions. Brinson led the way with five picks and 12 breakups while Kindle Vildor had three interceptions and safety Josh Moon had two.
Prior to coming to GS, Rowell spent the previous three seasons coaching at the high school level, helping lead Colquitt County (GA) High to a pair of GHSA Class 1-AAAAAA state championships. In his final season at CCHS, the Packers went 15-0 and finished as national champions by High School Football America and were ranked No. 2 in the country by USA Today.
A native of Crestview, Florida, Rowell spent 15 seasons at Troy University, the final six as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005 after six seasons overseeing the defensive backs.
From 2006-2010, the Trojans won the Sun Belt Conference title outright or shared the title each of those five seasons.
In 2011, the Trojans had two players honored for the defensive work by being selected by the coaches and media for the All-Sun Belt Conference team. The 2010 defense was a young squad as they had to replace several starters from a year before who departed for the NFL and CFL; however, the team came together and helped lead the team to the 2010 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. They were able to hold opponents to 14 points or less three different times.
In 2008, Rowell coached Sherrod Martin, a 2009 NFL Draft selection and All-Sun Belt Conference selection Terence Moore along with 2010 Arizona Cardinals draftee Jorrick Calvin. Three seasons ago, Rowell coached the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft in Leodis McKelvin, along with the nation’s leader in interceptions, Elbert Mack, in the defensive backfield.
The defense in 2008 ranked in the top 35 in several categories, including pass defense (23rd), total defense (30th) and scoring defense (31st). They also ranked 17th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (104.03).
Under Rowell, the Trojans flourished in the defensive backfield, becoming one of the mainstays of a stingy Troy defense. In 2004, the Trojans ranked sixth in the country in pass efficiency defense (100.56) and 16th in total defense (311.00 yards). The 32 turnovers gained were tied for second in the country, while the turnover margin (+0.92) was tied for 10th. In 2003, despite returning just four starters, the defense ranked sixth nationally in turnovers gained (35), 26th in rushing defense (125.5 yards) and 39th in total defense (349.67 yards).
Defensive back Derrick Ansley finished third in the nation in interceptions in 2003, behind Miami (FL) safety Sean Taylor and Nebraska’s Josh Bullocks. Ansley tallied nine interceptions, earning College Football News All-Independent honors, as well as an honorable mention selection on the ESPN.com All-Independent team. Rayshun Reed joined Ansley on both All-Independent teams, and earned an invitation to participate in the Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic on Christmas Day.
The 2002 defense ranked fourth nationally in total defense. The Trojans allowed just 276.83 yards per game to opponents in 12 games, ranking behind only Texas Christian, Kansas State and Alabama. Troy was ranked 11th in pass defense, 13th in rushing defense and 30th in scoring defense.
A field general during his playing career, Rowell is considered one of the top quarterbacks in school history. He led Troy to a 19-3 regular season record as a starter in 1994 and 1995. With Rowell under center, the Trojans finished with the only perfect (11-0) regular season record in school history. He accounted for 3,300 passing yards in his career with 22 touchdowns. He also scored 15 rushing touchdowns in a season (1994) and finished with 20 for his career.
A graduate of Troy University, Rowell received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics & science in 1997 and his master’s degree in foundations of education in 1999.
Rowell and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Jacob and Jaxon.
THE ROWELL FILE
Personal
Hometown: Crestview, Fla.
Born: Nov. 21, 1973 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
College: Troy (1997, 1999)
Family: wife, Jessica; sons, Jacob, Jaxon
Playing Experience
Troy (1991-95)
Coaching Experience
2018- Georgia Southern (outside linebackers)
2016-17 Georgia Southern (defensive backs)
2015 Colquitt County (Ga.) HS (defensive coordinator/safeties)
2013-14 Colquitt County (Ga.) HS (special teams coordinator/safeties)
2007-12 Troy (defensive coordinator/secondary)
2005-06 Troy (co-defensive coordinator/secondary)
2001-04 Troy (secondary/recruiting coordinator)
1998-00 Troy (G.A.)
College Bowl/Postseason Experience
Coach
2020 New Orleans (GS vs. Louisiana Tech)
2019 Cure (GS vs. Liberty)
2018 Camellia (GS vs. Eastern Michigan)
2010 New Orleans (Troy vs. Ohio)
2009 GMAC (Troy vs. Central Michigan)
2008 New Orleans (Troy vs. Southern Miss)
2006 New Orleans (Troy vs. Rice)
2004 Silicon Valley (Troy vs. Northern Illinois)
Player
1995 NCAA Division I-AA First Round (Troy)
1994 NCAA Division I-AA First Round (Troy)
1993 NCAA Division I-AA Semifinals (Troy)
Prominent Pupils
Leodis McKelvin (CB): Buffalo Bills
Joshua Moon (S): Jacksonville Jaguars
Sherrod Martin (S): Carolina Panthers
Jorrick Calvin (CB): Arizona Cardinals
Elbert Mack (CB): Tampa Bay Bucanneers
Derrick Ansley: Univ. of Tennessee Defensive Coord.
Mario Addison (DE/OLB) - Carolina Panthers
Brandon Lang (DE/OLB) - San Diego Chargers
Jonathan Carter (WR) - New York Jets
Brannon Condren (DB) - Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Massaquoi (DE/OLB) - Atlanta Falcons
Mareno Philyaw (WR) - Atlanta Falcons
Cameron Sheffield (DE/OLB) - Kansas City Chiefs
Brynden Trawick (DB) - Tennessee Titans
Elbert Mack (DB) - New Orleans Saints
Steve McLendon (DL) - New York Jets
