James Rowe (American football)

Last updated

James Rowe
South Florida Bulls
Position:Defensive passing game coordinator
Safeties coach
Personal information
Born: (1986-02-11) February 11, 1986 (age 38) [1]
Cocoa, Florida, U.S.
Career information
College: South Florida
Career history
As a coach:

James Willie Rowe III (born February 11, 1986) is an American football coach who is the defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach for the University of South Florida. [2] [3] In 2021, he was the cornerbacks coach for the Indianapolis Colts. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] A 15-year coaching veteran, Rowe has four seasons of experience in the NFL. He was a three-year letterwinner (2005–07) as a baseball player at South Florida. [9]

Contents

In 2022, Rowe was named the defensive backs coach of the East team for the East-West Shrine Bowl, the longest running college all-star football game in the nation. [10] [11] [12]

Playing career

Rowe played collegiate baseball (left-handed pitcher and outfielder) at South Florida and earned three letters from 2005 to 2007. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 2009.

In high school, Rowe was a four-year starter in football, basketball and baseball at Cocoa (Fla.) High School. [9]

He earned numerous honors in high school, including:

Baseball

Football

Coaching career

Cocoa (Fla.) High School (2007-2010)

A native of Cocoa, Fla., Rowe began his coaching career at his alma mater. He was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for four seasons.

Bethel (Tenn.) University (2011)

He was a graduate assistant for a Wildcats team that ranked 14th in the final NAIA poll.

Jacksonville University (2012–14)

Rowe served as defensive coordinator (2014), wide receivers coach (2013) and graduate assistant/cornerbacks coach (2012) for the Dolphins.

Florida (2015)

He spent the 2015 season at the University of Florida as a defensive graduate assistant. The Gators defense ranked sixth in total defense, eighth in scoring defense and 11th in pass defense.

Valdosta State (2016)

As defensive coordinator, Rowe helped the Blazers lead Division II with 27 interceptions. He coached current Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II to First Team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association. [13] [14]

At Valdosta State, Rowe coached under then Blazers Head Coach Kerwin Bell (current head coach at Western Carolina). Rowe previously served on Bell's staff at Jacksonville University for three years (2012–14).

Upon Rowe's hiring at Valdosta State, Bell was highly complimentary of Rowe as a coach and teacher.

“I’m very excited about having Coach Rowe join us as a defensive coordinator,” said Bell. “I had an opportunity to work with him at Jacksonville University, and I think he is a young superstar in this profession.”

“[Rowe] is a great communicator,” added Bell. “That’s probably his number one strength, is his ability to communicate with these young men. I also think he is a very cerebral guy that makes a lot of great adjustments during game situations, and I think he is going to be a great asset for our program as we move forward.” [15]

Washington Football Team (2017–19)

He spent three seasons in Washington as the team's assistant defensive backs coach. [16] [17] [18] [19]

Rowe coached cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who recorded his single-season career high in interceptions (four) in 2019.

In 2018, he assisted with a defensive back group that registered 15 interceptions (tied for ninth in the NFL).

In 2017, Washington ranked in the top-10 in opponent completion percentage (57.6 - third), passing yards allowed per game (213.8 - ninth) and opponent passer rating (81.0 - 10th). Washington's completion percentage was the team's best ranking since 2005.

Appalachian State (2020)

Rowe served as the team's cornerbacks coach. [20] [21] [22] [23] He was named one of 56 candidates for the Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coaches. [24] [25] The Appalachian State defense led the country in passes defensed (74) and were the only team in the FBS to allow opponents to complete less than 50 percent of their passes.

Indianapolis Colts (2021)

In his first season in Indianapolis, Rowe assisted with a Colts defense that finished second in the league with 33 takeaways. The team tied for the league high in fumble recoveries (14) and tied for third in interceptions (19).

Rowe coached cornerback Kenny Moore II, whom he also coached at Valdosta State in 2016 while serving as the team's defensive coordinator. [26] [27] He helped Moore II become the first Colts cornerback named to the Pro Bowl since Vontae Davis in 2015. [28] Indianapolis led the NFL with seven Pro Bowl players in 2021. [29]

Moore II finished the 2021 season with 101 tackles (81 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 13 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one special teams stop. He was one of only two NFL defensive backs to register 100 tackles and at least 10 passes defensed in 2021.

Chicago Bears (2022)

Rowe was hired as the Bears' defensive backs coach on Feb. 4, 2022. [30]

University of South Florida (Current)

On January 2, 2023, Rowe left the Bears to join the University of South Florida as their defensive passing game coordinator. [31]

Personal

Rowe is the son of James Rowe, Jr. and Louise Rowe. His brother, David, played football at Rutgers and is currently the cornerbacks coach at the University of Houston. [32]

Rowe, Jr. played basketball at Florida Tech. He coached boys basketball at Cocoa (Fla.) High School for 24 years and won over 400 games upon his retirement in 2018. [33] His 2009 boys varsity team won the state championship.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Frazier</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Leslie Antonio Frazier is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. He played professional football as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL), winning a Super Bowl in the 1985 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deshea Townsend</span> American football player and coach (born 1975)

Trevor Deshea Townsend is an American football coach and former cornerback who currently is the defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously worked as an assistant coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals.

Nathaniel Donnell Abraham is an American football coach and former cornerback who is the current defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft. In his career, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2001) and the New York Jets (2002–2004).

Charles Evans Bresnahan is an American football coach and former player. He was the defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders on two occasions and the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) as well as the Florida Tuskers and Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League (UFL). He also served as defensive coordinator in the college ranks at the University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and University of Maine. Bresnahan also served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts of the NFL and the United States Naval Academy (Navy) and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college ranks. Bresnahan also assisted in the Officiating Department of the NFL for 3 seasons. He is the son of Tom Bresnahan, a long time NFL assistant and Offensive Coordinator who coached 4 Super Bowls under Marv Levy (HOF-2001) with the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Grantham</span> American football coach (born 1966)

Jeffrey Todd Grantham is an American football coach who is the defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as defensive coordinator at the University of Florida.

Larry Coyer was an American football coach. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 to 2011. Prior to the Colts, he was the assistant head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and New Mexico State.

Terrall Brent "T. J." Rushing is an American football coach and former player who is currently a special assistant to the head coach at Auburn University. As a player, he played as a cornerback and return specialist. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with the team. He won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis, when the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He played college football at Stanford.

George Edwards is an American football coach who is the outside linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously served as a defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Pagano</span> American football player and coach (born 1960)

Charles David Pagano is a former American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2017. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, of the Chicago Bears from 2019 to 2020, and was an assistant coach for the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns. Pagano retired from coaching in 2021. He is the older brother of coach John Pagano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Bradley</span> American football coach and former player (born 1966)

Paul Casey "Gus" Bradley is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2009 to 2012, where he was the original playcaller of the team's Legion of Boom secondary. Bradley later served as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2016. Following his dismissal from Jacksonville, he returned to assistant coaching and became the Colts' defensive coordinator in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Carter (cornerback)</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Tony Lamar Carter Jr. is an American football coach and former cornerback. He played college football at Florida State, and signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He was also a member of the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Orlando Guardians.

James Bettcher is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clayton Geathers</span> American football player (born 1992)

Clayton Geathers is a former American football safety. He played college football at UCF, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Moore II</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kenneth Moore II is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Valdosta State, and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Eberflus</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Matthew Charles Eberflus is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2021. He previously worked as the linebacker coach for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, and has coached at Toledo and Missouri.

Jeff Popovich is an American football coach and former defensive back who is the special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the Western Michigan Broncos. He also is a former model who appeared in the first season of The Bachelorette.

Jonathan Gannon is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, who helped the team reach Super Bowl LVII. He also previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Indianapolis Colts.

Maurice T. Drayton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of The Citadel Bulldogs. He has previously coached the Charleston Swamp Foxes, Seinajoki Crocodiles, Goose Creek High School, South Carolina State Bulldogs, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Montreal Alouettes, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, and Las Vegas Raiders.

Matt Raich is an American football coach currently with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as senior assistant defensive line coach. A 26-year coaching veteran, he has 18 seasons of NFL experience. Raich is a native of Monaca, Pa.

James Colzie III is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for Florida A&M University, a position he has held since 2024. He was the head football coach for Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from 2016 to 2021. He also coached for FIU, Florida State, Valdosta State, West Georgia, Southern Arkansas, Simon Fraser, Coffeyville Community College, and UBC. He played college football and baseball for Florida State.

References

  1. ↑ "James Rowe NFL Coaching Record and Bio". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Bears tab Rowe as defensive backs coach". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Bears hire James Rowe as defensive backs coach". RSN. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts". www.colts.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Colts Announce Additions To Coaching Staff". www.colts.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  6. ↑ Arthur, Jake. "Quick Hits: New DB Coach Looking Forward to Working with Rock Ya-Sin, Colts CBs". Sports Illustrated Indianapolis Colts News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Meet The Colts: James Rowe". www.colts.com. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  8. ↑ McCallum, Brian. "James Rowe III returns to NFL as Colts coach". Florida Today. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  9. 1 2 "James Rowe - Baseball". USF Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  10. ↑ Erickson, Joel A. "Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady leads Colts contingent coaching East-West Shrine Bowl". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  11. ↑ "NFL ANNOUNCES HEAD COACHES FOR 2022 EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL – East West Shrine Bowl" . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  12. ↑ "About Us – East West Shrine Bowl" . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  13. ↑ "James Rowe - Defensive Coordinator - Football Coaches". Valdosta State University Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Moore Named AFCA First Team All-American". Valdosta State University Athletics. December 7, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  15. ↑ "James Rowe - Defensive Coordinator - Football Coaches". Valdosta State University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Redskins Hire James Rowe As Assistant Defensive Backs Coach". www.washingtonfootball.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ "VSU defensive coordinator leaving for NFL". www.walb.com. February 11, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  18. ↑ "James Rowe hired by Redskins as assistant defensive backs coach". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Baseball in the rear-view mirror for Redskins assistant James Rowe III". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 26, 2022.[ dead link ]
  20. ↑ "Clark Adds James Rowe as Assistant Coach – WKSK – 580AM – 93.5FM – West Jefferson, NC". Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  21. ↑ Staff Report (January 9, 2020). "App State hires defensive assistant with NFL experience". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  22. ↑ Journal, Ethan Joyce Winston-Salem (March 11, 2020). "Meet new App State football assistants Mark DeBastiani and James Rowe". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  23. ↑ Staff REPORT (January 15, 2020). "Clark hires Rowe as Mountaineers defensive assistant". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  24. ↑ "James Rowe | The Broyles Award" . Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Cocoa Native, App State Cornerbacks Coach James Rowe Named Broyles Award Nominee - Space Coast Daily". spacecoastdaily.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  26. ↑ Hicks, Zach (February 19, 2021). "Colts CB Coach James Rowe: "The Smartest Coach I have ever been around"". Stampede Blue. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  27. ↑ Indiana, George Bremer CNHI Sports (December 13, 2021). "Colts Notebook: Moore builds off South Georgia roots". Herald Bulletin. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Kenny Moore II on making his first Pro Bowl: 'I've been doubted for so long'". NFL.com. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Colts land 7 in Pro Bowl; Kenny Moore II finally included". Fox 59. December 23, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  30. ↑ "James Rowe". www.chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Bears DBs coach James Rowe is leaving for USF". chicitysports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Football Coaches". University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  33. ↑ Rocco, Jordan. "Coach James Rowe, Jr. – A Tribute". The Tiger Times. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.