Bowie State University Men's Football

Avery Williams joined the Bowie State Football coaching staff in 2018 and has played a vital role in the program’s continued success. Entering his first season as Associate Head Coach / Linebackers Coach, Williams has developed one of the most formidable defensive units in NCAA Division II football. Under his leadership, Bowie State’s defense has consistently ranked among the best in the nation and the CIAA Conference, producing numerous All-Americans, All-Conference players, and professional-level talent. During the 2024 season, Williams’ defensive unit achieved several top national rankings, finishing third in red zone pass touchdowns allowed, fourth in defensive touchdowns scored, seventh in opponent third-down conversion percentage, and eighth in first-down defense. Within the CIAA, Bowie State ranked first in defensive touchdowns scored and fumble recovery yards, second in first downs allowed, and third in total sack yards, interception return yards, and third-down conversion percentage. The team also produced one Don Hansen All-American and one CIAA All-Conference player. The 2023 season saw continued success, with the defense ranking 11th nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage, 13th in tackles for loss, 18th in red zone defense, 19th in opponent third-down conversion percentage, and 22nd in passing yards allowed. The Bulldogs finished second in the CIAA in sacks and defensive pass efficiency, while ranking in the top five in multiple defensive categories, including total touchdowns allowed, total rush defense, and total points allowed. Williams coached four CIAA All-Conference players and one All-Rookie Team member that season. In 2022, Bowie State’s defense ranked seventh nationally in passing yards allowed, 11th in fourth-down conversion percentage, 16th in first-down defense and tackles for loss, and 25th in third-down conversion percentage. The Bulldogs also finished second in the CIAA in fourth-down conversion defense and ranked in the top five in sacks, third-down conversion percentage, and total pass defense. That season, Williams developed three CIAA All-Conference players and one All-Rookie Team member. His coaching also helped defensive lineman Joshua Pryor sign an NFL contract with the Washington Commanders, where he earned a spot on the 53-man roster as a rookie. Williams was instrumental in Bowie State’s historic 2021 season, where the Bulldogs secured their third consecutive CIAA Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoff quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The team finished with a school-record 12-2 overall mark. As the defensive line coach, Williams’ unit produced 147 tackles for loss, 42 sacks, and four defensive touchdowns. He also coached and developed a two-time AFCA All-American, two BOXTOROW All-Americans, the Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year, and one CIAA All-Rookie Team member. Three of his defensive linemen earned All-Conference honors. The 2019 season marked another milestone for the program, as Bowie State completed its first-ever undefeated regular season (10-0) and won back-to-back CIAA Championships. The defense ranked nationally, recording 121 tackles for loss and 46 sacks, while producing an AFCA/BOXTOROW All-American, three CIAA All-Conference defensive linemen, and the CIAA Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year. In his first season with Bowie State in 2018, Williams helped lead the team to its first 10-win season, first CIAA Championship, and first NCAA Playoff victory in school history. The defense finished second in the CIAA in passing defense and led the conference in sacks. That year, Williams developed two BOXTOROW All-Americans, four All-CIAA defensive linemen, and the CIAA Conference Freshman Rookie of the Year. Before joining Bowie State, Williams built a successful coaching career at the high school level over a 16-year span in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He founded the football program at St. Charles High School in Waldorf, Md., serving as the head coach from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he coached at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., where he held multiple roles, including linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, associate head coach, and head coach. He also coached football, basketball, and tennis at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, D.C., and served as the strength and conditioning coach. Williams began his coaching career in 2002 as a defensive assistant at Central High School in Prince George’s County, Md. A native of Halifax, Va., Williams is a 1998 graduate of Emory and Henry College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education. As a student-athlete, he was a four-year starter, competing as a defensive back and linebacker.

Avery Williams is entering his third season as defensive coordinator and sixth as the defensive line coach for 2022.  Since joining the Bowie State football program coaching staff, Williams has played a key role in the recent success of the program.  The Bulldogs have finished the regular season ranked in the top-25 within the last four seasons, advancing to the CIAA Conference Championship for the past three seasons (2018, 2019, and 2021) while winning in all three appearances. The Bulldogs have also advanced to the NCAA DII Playoffs the last four seasons (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021). During the 2021 season serving as the defensive line coach, Williams played a major role in the Bulldogs historic season securing a third-consecutive CIAA Conference title while advancing to the NCAA DII Playoffs for the fourth-straight season and the quarterfinals, which is the furthest in program history. Finishing the season with a 12-2 overall mark, the Bulldogs broke the record for most wins in a single season. Williams helped coach a strong defensive unit that finished in the top-10 nationally in multiple categories including: Defensive TDs (1st), Tackles for Loss (1st), Turnovers Gained (2nd), Third Down Defense (2nd), Fumbles Recovered (2nd), Sacks (3rd), Red Zone Defense (4th), Fourth Down Defense (6th), Pass Efficiency Defense (7th), Total Defense (9th), Scoring Defense (11th). Williams coached and developed Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year, BOXTOROW All American, and CIAA all-conference player Jonathan Ross; 2X AFCA All American and CIAA all-conference player Joshua Pryor; and CIAA All Rookie Team Defensive Lineman Joseph Murray.  Williams led a defensive line unit that produced 121 TFLs and 42 Sacks and scored 4 TDs as a unit in 2021. In 2019, Williams coached and developed AFCA All American, BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA all-conference player Joshua Pryor; CIAA Freshman Rookie Of The Year Johnathan Ross, CIAA all conference player James Dumas.  Williams led a defensive line unit that produced 112 TFLs and 46 Sacks.  In 2019, the Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated (10-0) for the first time in school history and were crowned CIAA Champions for the second-consecutive season. The Bulldogs finished the year with an 11-2 record and ranked in the Top-25 for the third-consecutive season. Williams helped coach a defensive unit that finished in the top-10 nationally in multiple categories including: Interceptions (2nd), Tackles for Loss (2nd), Third Down Defense (4th), Defensive TDs (5th), Red Zone Defense (4th), Sacks (6th), Scoring Defense (7th) and Pass Efficiency Defense (9th).   In 2018, Williams helped lead the program to its first 10-win season; first CIAA conference title and first NCAA playoff win in program history.  The Bulldogs defense finished second in the CIAA for passing defense and led the conference in sacks.  Williams coached and developed BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA Freshman Rookie of the Year Joshua Pryor, BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA all-conference player Oluwaleke Ajenifuja, and CIAA all-conference player Derrick Tate.  Prior to joining Bowie State, Williams had a successful prep coaching career within the Washington metropolitan area over a sixteen-year span. Williams founded the St. Charles High School football program in Waldorf Md., serving as head coach from 2014 until 2017. Prior to establishing the St. Charles football program, Williams served in many capacities at world-renowned T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria Va. During his tenure at T.C. Williams, Williams served as linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, associate head coach and head coach. Preceding his tenure of coaching at T.C. Williams, Williams coached football, basketball, tennis and was the strength and conditioning coach at powerhouse H.D. Woodson High School in Washington D.C.  Williams began his coaching career at Central High School in Prince George's County (Md.) as a defensive assistant in 2002. Williams is a native of Halifax Va. and 1998 graduate of Emory and Henry College. While attending E & H, Williams earned a Bachelors in Education; competing as a four-year starter as a defensive back and linebacker.

Shaska Davis enters her second year as Director of Football Operations at Bowie State, where she plays a vital role in the day-to-day management and strategic operations of the Bulldogs football program. In her role, Davis oversees all aspects of football operations, including team travel, budget management, recruiting logistics, and coordination of official and unofficial visits. She works closely with coaching staff, compliance, academic support, and athletic administration to ensure the program operates efficiently while maintaining adherence to NCAA and university regulations. Davis also supports student-athlete development initiatives, helping coordinate programs focused on leadership, personal growth, and community engagement. In addition to her work at Bowie State, Davis has gained valuable experience across professional sports and corporate environments. She has served as a marketing representative with the Washington Wizards and the Houston Texans, contributing to game-day operations, fan engagement, and promotional initiatives. She also completed a Community Relations Internship with Adobe, where she supported outreach programs, event planning, and social impact initiatives. Davis began her career in athletics communications and media relations, with experience at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Kentucky State University, where she developed skills in content creation, marketing, and student-athlete engagement. A native of Houston, Texas, Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Kentucky State University and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication at Bowie State University. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc..

Aaron Tiller enters his first season at Bowie State University in 2026 as the Bulldogs' Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach. Tiller brings an energetic and demanding coaching style, shaped by experience at both the collegiate and high school levels. Prior to Bowie State, he coached defensive tackles at Grambling State, where he helped lead the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking in sacks in the SWAC and No. 14 nationally in the FCS. Before his time in college football, Tiller spent five years at Harvest Preparatory School in Columbus, Ohio, serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. Under his leadership, Harvest Prep’s defense consistently ranked among the top five in Ohio Division VII. A former standout student-athlete, Tiller played at Southern University under head coach Dawson Odums. A two-time team captain, he earned All-SWAC and HBCU All-American honors during his career. Following his collegiate career, Tiller gained professional experience with the Tennessee Titans, as well as in the Alliance of American Football (AAF), XFL and Arena Football League (AFL), where he won a championship with the Albany Empire in 2019. Tiller graduated from Southern University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Blake Yorloff enters his first season at Bowie State University as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. Prior to joining Bowie State, Yorloff served as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Paetow High School in Katy, Texas. During his three-year tenure, he helped lead the program to success in the highly competitive 19-6A district, coaching 11 all-district selections and contributing to top statistical rankings across multiple categories. Before his time at Paetow, Yorloff spent two seasons at Southern University, where he held roles as defensive backs coach, assistant special teams coordinator and assistant cornerbacks coach. He played a key role in developing a Jaguars defense that ranked first in the SWAC in total defense, while also contributing to a special teams unit that led the conference in nearly every major statistical category. Yorloff helped develop standout safety Chase Foster, an HBCU All-American and first-team All-SWAC selection, as well as specialist Cesar Barajas, who earned first-team All-SWAC honors on special teams. A Houston native, Yorloff played collegiately at McNeese State as a defensive back, graduating in 2019. He began his football career at Seven Lakes High School, where he was a standout defensive back and three-year letterwinner.

Jason Phillips enters his first season at Bowie State University in 2026 as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, bringing more than two decades of coaching experience and a proven track record of success. Phillips enters his 22nd year in coaching, including winning records in each of the last 11 seasons. Prior to Bowie State, Phillips spent five seasons at Alcorn State, where he helped build one of the SWAC’s most dynamic offenses. He served as wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator from 2018–22 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023. That season, he helped guide the Braves to a 7–4 record while averaging 343.0 yards of total offense per game. Widely regarded as an innovative offensive mind, Phillips incorporates elements of the run-pass option and deep choice concepts into his schemes, producing record-setting results throughout his career. In 2022, Alcorn State ranked among the nation’s leaders in several offensive categories, including 16th in team passing efficiency, 27th in completion percentage, 28th in passing yards per completion and 42nd in total offense. Phillips played a key role in Alcorn State’s 2019 SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl appearance, as the Braves ranked first in the conference in red zone offense, second in team passing efficiency and third in scoring offense. That season, he helped develop standout receivers Chris Blair, who later signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, and LeCharles Pringle, who earned SWAC Championship Offensive MVP honors after tying the school’s single-season record for receiving touchdowns. In 2018, Phillips helped lead the Braves to the first of back-to-back SWAC titles, with the offense leading the conference in first downs, rushing offense, total offense and red zone efficiency. He also contributed to assembling the No. 22-ranked FCS recruiting class, according to Hero Sports. Before Alcorn State, Phillips spent four seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach. During his tenure, the program captured the MACJC South Division title, finished in the top 10 nationally twice and ranked second in the nation in rushing offense in 2017. Phillips also gained experience at the FBS level as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach at Troy in 2013, where he helped develop Corey Robinson, the Sun Belt Conference’s all-time leading passer and one of the top statistical passers in FBS history. His coaching résumé includes stops at Southwest Mississippi Community College, St. Joseph’s College and Knox Central High School, along with two seasons at Tusculum College as wide receivers coach, where he helped guide the program to a South Atlantic Conference championship and coached Division II’s all-time leading passer, Bo Cordell. Phillips began his coaching career at the high school level in Tennessee, with stops at Clinton High School, Anderson County High School and William Blount High School. A strong recruiter, Phillips has helped sign multiple All-American prospects, including Army and Under Armour All-Americans, and has recruited and developed three All-Americans and 25 all-conference players throughout his career. A 2009 graduate of Tusculum College with a degree in physical education, Phillips began his collegiate career as a baseball player at Carson-Newman before continuing in both baseball and football at Maryville College. Phillips and his wife, Brooke, reside in the Hampton Roads area with their children Kaylie, Megan and George. His oldest daughter, Sydney, is currently attending the University of Tennessee.

LaQuaid Manago enters his first season at Bowie State University in 2026 as the Bulldogs’ run game coordinator and offensive line coach, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience across the NCAA Division I and II levels. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Manago began his coaching career at Winston-Salem State University, where he spent four seasons as a student assistant. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science before pursuing graduate studies in adult education at North Carolina A&T State University. Manago’s coaching résumé includes stops at Greensboro College, North Carolina A&T, Southern University, Shaw University, Norfolk State and Elizabeth City State. Throughout his career, he has mentored multiple all-conference selections, contributed to a MEAC Championship at North Carolina A&T in 2014 and helped guide Shaw to one of its most successful seasons in nearly a decade. At Norfolk State, Manago worked with both the offensive line and tight ends while also overseeing video operations. During his tenure, the Spartans produced a 1,456-yard rusher in 2022. That same year, he expanded his professional experience as a participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Washington Commanders. Most recently, Manago served as the offensive line coach at Elizabeth City State in 2024, where he emphasized discipline, toughness and technical development in the trenches. Known for his versatility and commitment to player development, Manago brings a strong foundation and wealth of knowledge to Bowie State’s offensive staff.

Marcus Bradley enters his first season at Bowie State University as the Bulldogs’ running backs coach, bringing a diverse coaching background across multiple levels of collegiate football. Bradley returns to a full-time position coach role after previously serving as a defensive graduate assistant at Prairie View A&M University from 2018–2020. Prior to his return to Prairie View A&M, he spent the 2020–21 season at Benedict College as the run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He began his coaching career in 2016 at Kansas Wesleyan University as the defensive line coach and academic coordinator following his playing career with the Coyotes in 2015. A native of Dallas, Texas, Bradley earned Second Team All-KCAC honors during his playing career, finishing second on the team with 74 total tackles. He recorded six tackles for loss for 19 yards, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He was also part of a Kansas Wesleyan defense that ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (19.7), fifth in total defense (368.5), and led the league in sacks per game (2.9). Bradley earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kansas Wesleyan in 2015 and his MBA from the institution in 2018. He later received a second master’s degree in physical education from Prairie View A&M in 2020. A 2011 graduate of L.V. Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, Bradley was recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex by Rivals.com. He earned Second Team Texas Class 5A All-State honors, along with First Team All-District, All-Area, and All-City recognition.