Cumberland University Men's Football

John Downing is entering his second season as the Defensive Line Coach at Cumberland University. The Toledo, OH native most recently served as the Offensive Line Quality Control at FCS member Big South-OVC Champion Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, where the OL ranked second in the conference in Rushing and had 3 All-Conference selections. Before Gardner-Webb, Coach Downing assisted Travis Knight with the Defensive Line at Wingate University during two stints (2020-2021 & 2022-2023), including a 2022 that saw Wingate University set school records in Sacks (60), TFLs (141) which also led the nation, Wins (11), highest ranked Defense (#3 nationally), deepest playoff run (3rd round), and highest final ranking (#15 AFCA). The last two SAC Defensive Players of the Year were Defensive Ends from Wingate University (DJ Horne 2022 & Marquise Fleming 2023, who also was awarded the prestigous Gene Upshaw award given to the best Linemen in D2). In between his stints at Wingate University, he led the Defensive Line at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, FL where he mentored DE Jaren Wilson who competed in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in February, 2023. He got his start in collegiate coaching at Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC (2018-2020). Coach Downing has also served internships with the Jacksonville Jaguars (mini-camp 2023) and FBS member Charlotte (Fall camp 2022) and has also Head Coached 4 collegiate All-Star games, with a 3-1 record, where he has enjoyed helping highlight multiple players that have gone on to sign professional contracts.

BrownâÂÂs tutelage, CU running backs averaged 126.2 yards per game and scored 17 touchdowns during a 7-4 campaign in 2013. Fullback Michael Nwokoji garnered First Team All-Mid-South Conference honors while amassing 523 yards on 120 carries with seven TDs in just seven games before an injury cut his season short. Fredrel Cross posted 450 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards-per-carry in only four contests in the back field. Last season Cumberland averaged 201.5 yards per game on the ground, with Blake DeBoard leading the running back group with 458 yards and four touchdowns in nine outings, earning First Team All-MSC accolades. Fullbacks Brandon Mallory and George Nwokoji combined for 421 yards and seven touchdowns as well. The Watertown, Tenn., native is no stranger to the middle Tennessee area, serving nine seasons as head coach at Lebanon High School and eight years as an assistant coach at Trousdale County High School. While at LHS, he served as Assistant Principal, teacher and head coach for two years and Assistant Principal, Co-Athletic Director and head coach for three years. Brown posted a 44-51 mark at Lebanon, with three teams finishing with winning records: 2003 (6-5), 2004 (9-3) and 2006 (6-5). Four of his teams advanced to the TSSAA postseason. In 2010 the Blue Devils rushed for 3,042 yards, the high-water mark for the past 25 years, and averaged 26.5 points per game. BrownâÂÂs nine-year tenure at Lebanon was the longest at the local school since the mid 1960âÂÂs. Prior to his tenure at LHS, he was an assistant coach for eight seasons (six as defensive coordinator) at Trousdale County under Clint Satterfield. Brown received his bachelorâÂÂs in Business Education with a minor in Secondary Education and Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 1994. He earned a masterâÂÂs in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee Tech in 2000. He also received a Specialist in Education Degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Tech in 2010. Brown's Coaching Career Year Position School Record Postseason 2014 Assistant Coach Cumberland Univ. 6-5   2013 Assistant Coach Cumberland Univ. 7-4   2010 Head Coach Lebanon HS 4-6   2009 Head Coach Lebanon HS 4-6   2008 Head Coach Lebanon HS 4-6   2007 Head Coach Lebanon HS 5-6 TSSAA Playoffs First Round 2006 Head Coach Lebanon HS 6-5 TSSAA Playoffs First Round 2005 Head Coach Lebanon HS 2-8   2004 Head Coach Lebanon HS 9-3 TSSAA Playoffs Second Round 2003 Head Coach Lebanon HS 6-5 TSSAA Playoffs First Round 2002 Head Coach Lebanon HS 4-6   2001 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 12-2 TSSAA Playoffs Semifinals 2000 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 9-3 TSSAA Playoffs Quarterfinals 1999 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 12-2 TSSAA Playoffs Semifinals 1998 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 14-1 TSSAA State Champions 1997 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 15-0 TSSAA State Champions 1996 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 12-1 TSSA Playoffs Quarterfinals 1995 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 11-2 TSSAA Playoffs Quarterfinals 1994 Assistant Coach Trousdale County HS 11-2 TSSAA Playoffs Semifinals