Jared Backus - Football Coach

Jared Backus

Title:
Defensive Line Coach
Email:
jared.backus@temple.edu
Phone:
215-204-0855
Alma Mater:
Springfield '93

"It is a real positive when you can have former coordinators on your staff and Coach Backus brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the defense. He also provides us with the recruiting experience in the footprint that we covet."

Head Coach Al Golden

Backus in Action

Jared Backus, who has 15 seasons of collegiate coaching experience, is in his third season at Temple University. After coaching the defensive line for two seasons, Backus takes over the linebacking corps this fall.

In 2008, the Owl defense helped Temple to the team's most wins most since 1990 and a second-place finish in the MAC East. Facing five opponents that went on to postseason play, the Owls persevered to new heights, led by All-MAC honorees senior DT Terrance Knighton, Temple's first First-Team selection, and DT Andre Neblett.

During its inaugural season of Mid-American Conference play in 2007, the Temple defense reached new heights. TU led the MAC in five defensive statistical categories, including red zone defense which also ranked first nationally. Backus saw DT Andre Neblett earn All-MAC honors as a sophomore in 2007.

Prior to joining the Owls, Backus spent five seasons at Bucknell, first coaching outside linebackers/special teams (2002) and defensive line/special teams (2003-04), before being promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2005-06). In 2006, he was instrumental in the biggest turnaround in Division I-AA, as the Bison improved to 6-5 after posting a 1-10 record in 2005. He also helped develop multiple all-conference players at Bucknell, including current Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Sean Conover.

During his tenure in Lewisburg, Pa., Backus recruited in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Texas, Maryland, Delaware, Canada and Pennsylvania for the non-scholarship program.

Prior to Bucknell, Backus was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Maine from 1999 to 2001, helping the team to an Atlantic 10 title and a No. 8 final ranking in 2001. He also directed two Black Bears to All-America honors, with return man Lynard Byrd earning accolades in 2001 and defensive end Jo-Jo Oliphant capturing the honor in 1999.

The Saugatuck, Conn., native began his collegiate coaching career at King's College (strength and conditioning intern, 1994), before moving on to Springfield College (graduate assistant, 1995), Rutgers (graduate assistant, 1996-97), and Pace (secondary/kickoff coverage, 1998). With the Scarlet Knights, he worked with the defense under head coach Terry Shea, who is currently the quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis Rams. RU linebacker Brian Sheridan earned All-Big East honors with Backus' assistance in 1997.

Born April 29, 1970, Backus was a two-year varsity letterwinner and one-year starter at linebacker at Springfield, earning a degree in physical education in 1993. He received a master of physical education degree from Springfield in 1998. He and wife Amanda have a six-year old son, Garrett, and a three-year daughter, Grace.

PERSONAL

Year Coaching: 16th

College: Springfield '93, B.S. Physical Education

High School: Central Catholic

COACHING

Temple

2009 - Linebackers

2007-08 - Defensive Line

Bucknell

2005-06 - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2003-04 - Defensive Line/Special Teams

2002 - Outside Linebackers/Special Teams