Indiana is set to hire Paul Randolph as its next defensive line coach as first reported by Bruce Feldman of the Athletic.
Most recently Randolph held the defensive line coach job at Texas Tech for the last three seasons. The Red Raiders hired a new head coach in November.
Randolph has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience with stops at the likes of Alabama, Arizona State and West Virginia.
He replaces Kevin Peoples, who left to take the same position at Missouri. Randolph will work under new defensive coordinator Chad Wilt, who is expected to coach the linebackers.
The Red Raiders ranked No. 86 in total defense in 2021, No. 40 in run defense, and No. 109 in sacks. They were No. 99, 89 and 93 respectively in those categories in 2020, and No. 127, No. 80 and 72 in 2019.
Randolph arrived in Lubbock following three seasons in a similar role at the University of Memphis where the Tigers developed into one of the country’s most opportunistic defenses. Memphis forced 81 turnovers during that span, which ranked fourth among teams nationally. Memphis was among the nation’s elite defenses for takeaways in each of his first two seasons, finishing tied for fifth with 29 turnovers in 2016 and tied for third in 2017 with 31. Of the 60 combined takeaways those two seasons, 28 were fumble recoveries, which ranked in the top five among FBS programs during that span.
Prior to joining the Memphis staff, Randolph spent a total of four seasons at Arizona State from 2012-15, three as the associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach and the final year as the Associate Athletics Director for Championship Life. Arizona State posted a 28-12 overall record and 19-8 Pac-12 Conference mark during his first three seasons on staff, all of which resulted in bowl trips. The Sun Devils boasted a pair of 10-win seasons over the 2013-14 campaigns, which featured a 14-4 record during Pac-12 play alone. Randolph mentored five defensive linemen into All-Pac 12 honors during his tenure.
Over his three seasons, Arizona State featured one of the nation’s most disruptive defenses as the Sun Devils led the FBS in tackles for a loss (9.0 per game) and ranked second in sacks (4.0 per game) in 2012. Arizona State ranked in the top 20 for both categories in each of the next two seasons as well.
Arizona State marked Randolph’s fourth stop with then-Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham as he previously helped rebuild programs at Rice (2006), Tulsa (2007-10) and Pittsburgh (2011). Randolph oversaw linebackers at Rice before moving back to the defensive line in both stints at Tulsa and Pittsburgh.
His defensive line at Pittsburgh transformed into one of the nation’s elite units in only a season as the Panthers ranked third nationally with 3.31 sacks per game.
During his four seasons at Tulsa, Randolph played an instrumental role in a defense that led the country in interceptions and ranked third in forced turnovers during his final season in 2010.
In his lone season at Rice, meanwhile, Randolph was part of a staff that helped produce one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent college football history. The Owls closed the 2006 regular season with victories in six of their final seven games to earn their first bowl berth in 45 years.
Randolph made his way to Rice following three years as the defensive ends coach at Alabama (2003-05) where he helped the Crimson Tide boast one of the nation’s top defenses. Alabama led the country in scoring defense (10.7 points per game) during his final season. Additionally, Randolph was recognized for his work on the recruiting trail as he was named one of the nation’s top-25 recruiters by Rivals.
PAUL RANDOLPH COACHING EXPERIENCE
2019-21 – Texas Tech Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
2016-18 – Memphis Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
2015 – Arizona State Associate A.D. for Championship Life
2012-14 – Arizona State Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Line)
2011 – Pittsburgh Executive Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Line)
2007-10 – Tulsa Executive Senior Associate H.C./Co-Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Line)
2006 – Rice Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator (Linebackers)
2003-05 – Alabama Assistant Coach (Defensive Ends)
2002 – West Virginia Assistant Coach (Defensive Line/Special Teams)
2001 – Toledo Assistant Coach (Defensive Line/Special Teams)
2000 – Illinois State Assistant Coach (Defensive Line/Special Teams)
1999 – Valdosta State Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
1998 – UT Martin Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
As a player Randolph was an all-conference linebacker at UT-Martin where he earned his degree in electrical engineering technology in 1990. He went to play eight seasons in the Canadian Football League with stops at Winnipeg (1988-95) and Montreal (1996-97).
Randolph served two years as a team captain and player-coach while in Montreal after helping lead Winnipeg to the Grey Cup championships in 1998 and 1990. He was inducted into the Blue Bombers’ Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
