Walden Adds Running Backs Coach Jourdan McNeill

12/19/2023 10:15:00 AM

EL PASO – UTEP Football Head Coach Scotty Walden announced the hiring of Jourdan McNeill as the Miners' newest running backs coach on Tuesday.

McNeill served on Walden's staff as running backs coach at Austin Peay for three seasons (2021-23). The Governors finished 9-3 overall and 6-0 in the United Athletic Conference this past season. The campaign was highlighted by a conference title and FCS playoff berth. McNeill was also Walden's running back while at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) in 2016.

"Coach McNeill played for me and has coached with me now for several years. He has made his mark as a great running backs coach and recruiter," Walden said. "He brings great energy and passion to his position and is one of the most determined people I have been around. He was instrumental in mentoring our RB room at Austin Peay where helped produce an All-American running back and 1,300-yard rusher this season. I am so excited for Jourdan and his family to come help lead the 'Blue Blaze offense' to a lot of points this season!"

Austin Peay's ground game gained 1,832 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. All-UAC first team running back Jevon Jackson. who led the way with 1,373 yards on 252 attempts (5.4 avg.) and 10 rushing scores in 2023. Jackson ranked first in the UAC and 28^th in the FCS in rushing scores, while also leading the league and rating fifth nationally in rushing yards. The 5-8, 200-pound back ranked third in the UAC and 34^th in the country in yards per carry (5.5). Overall, McNeill helped the Governors' rushing attack place fifth in the UAC and 55^th in the FCS. Jackson's 114.4 yards rushing per game was first in the UAC and sixth in the country.

Prior to his time in Clarksville, Tenn., McNeill served as running backs coach at Belhaven (Jackson, Miss.) for three seasons (2018-20). The Blazers' rushing yards per game increased each season under McNeill. Prior to McNeill arriving at Belhaven, the Blazers averaged just 57.7 rushing yards per game. McNeill helped increase that number 95.5 rushing yards per game in 2018 and ballooned that number to 176.0 yards per contest the next season. McNeill received his Master of Science in Leadership from Belhaven University in May 2020.

McNeill was a four-year letter winner at ETBU (2013-16). During his time as a Tiger, McNeill was a three-time all-conference award winner and the recipient of the program's first Iron Tiger Award. McNeill played for Walden when he was the head coach during the 2016 season. McNeill hit career bests in rushing yards (819), carries (182) and rushing touchdowns (16) in his lone season playing for Walden. McNeill had a nose for the end zone, scoring 31 total rushing touchdowns.

Additionally, McNeill was a strength and conditioning intern and a powerlifting judge at ETBU.

McNeill is from Dallas, Texas, and received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Management from ETBU in 2017.

MCNEILL'S COACHING CAREER
2021-23 – Austin Peay (running backs coach)
2018-20 – Belhaven University (running backs coach/graduate assistant)
2017 – East Texas Baptist University (strength and conditioning internship)

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