Austin Peay head coach Scotty Walden is promoting linebackers coach JJ Clark to defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Chris Jones to co-defensive coordinator, the program announced Friday.
The moves come after former defensive coordinator Chris Kappas stepped down to take a high school head coaching job in Ohio.
"When we hired J.J. as our linebackers coach, we were looking for someone with coordinating experience and that is exactly what we found. He was a defensive coordinator for five years prior to Austin Peay, leading dominant, nationally-ranked defenses, including two years where his defenses allowed 9.0 and 11.9 points per game. I am excited for J.J. and his family as they continue the aggressive #BlackReign defense tradition here at Austin Peay!"
Clark will switch from linebackers to safeties with the change. He joined the staff in 2022 after leading defenses at Indiana Wesleyan and Wheaton College.
Clark's IWU defense in 2021 permitted just 11.9 points per game, and his 2018 defense at Wheaton allowed nine points per game.
Jones joined the staff in 2021 after spending 2020 as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. He spent 2010-19 as the defensive line coach at Hardin-Simmons.
"I am also excited to announce ' promotion to co-defensive coordinator," said Walden. "He will still serve as our defensive line coach as well. I am thrilled that by promoting Chris, he will play an even more integral role in our defense! As our run game coordinator last year, he helped lead our defense to becoming one of the top rushing defenses in the country. I am excited for Chris, his family, and the future of the #BlackReign defense!"
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