McMurry Football head coach Jordan Neal announced the coaching staff for his debut season in March of 2019, appointing John Jennings as the defensive coordinator. Jennings also works closely with inside linebackers.
In two seasons, the McMurry defense has had five all-conference selections, including two for senior linebacker Josh Smith. In 2021, Smith became the first player since 2000 to earn four straight years of all-conference honors.
Jennings took over a defense that had given up 554.8 yards per game in 2018, and he shrunk that number by almost 100 yards in his second season to 463.4 yards per game in Spring 2021. The defense also made vast improvements from year one to year two under Jennings, which proved evident in a 17-14 win over Sul Ross State on February 6.
Jennings has nearly two decades of coaching experience, most recently serving as the Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator at San Diego Mesa College. During his time at San Diego Mesa, Jennings guided a top-two defense in the National Central Conference in 2018. In 2017, the Olympians' defense allowed just 15 points per game and forced 45 turnovers (23 interceptions and 22 fumbles).
Jennings has coached in numerous bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl, Holiday Bowl and Alamo Bowl, along with coaching in NFL mini camps. Prior stops for Jennings before San Diego Mesa include Southeastern Louisiana University, Texas Lutheran University, Baylor University and Texas Tech. He coached cornerbacks and defensive ends at SELA, and was a defensive graduate assistant at Baylor and Texas Tech before becoming the defensive coordinator at TLU.
As an athlete, Jennings played three seasons as a tight end at McNeese State University.
"I am thrilled to have Coach John Jennings on board as our defensive coordinator," Neal said. "Coach Jennings has had great success at almost every level of football, from the high school ranks in San Antonio all the way to the Big 12. I believe Coach Jennings will be exactly what our football program needs in terms of his plan for building a great defense, as well as his connections and expertise in recruiting Texas. I look forward to seeing him connect with our players and help them realize their potential on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
