Georgia Southern hires defensive coordinator, offensive line coach as Helton builds staff

Georgia Southern's new head football coach Clay Helton promised to complete his staff before the team meets in January. He took two steps Tuesday, announcing the hiring of the defensive coordinator and the offensive line coach.

Will Harris has been named the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Eagles. Harris comes to Statesboro after four seasons coaching the University of Washington’s defensive backs, a group among the best in the country.

Former NFL tight end Richard Owens has been named the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for Georgia Southern.

Helton said in a press release that Harris "is known as one of the brightest young minds in the game today."

"The production on defense at Washington over the past four years is among the very best in the nation," Helton, a former head coach at Southern Cal, a Pac-12 rival of Washington. "The system is both multiple and aggressive. Having gone against it personally, I know how hard it can be on opposing offenses.

"Will is known for his ability to develop talent and has a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the country," Helton continued. "We look forward to Will building one of the top defenses in college football right here in Statesboro.”

In 2021, Washington was the only FBS school with two cornerbacks to earn an 85+ grade from Pro Football Focus in Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie, who earned first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors. McDuffie also earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after finishing the season with 35 tackles and six pass break-ups.

Washington led the FBS in the fewest passing yards allowed (1,720), giving up a nation-low six touchdown passes while posting the third-best pass efficiency defense in the country.

Harris was named one of the “50 Rising-Star Position Coaches You Need To Know” by On3.com.

“The opportunity to learn from and work alongside coach Helton and this excellent staff is a privilege and an honor,” Harris said in a press release. “Becoming a part of Georgia Southern’s long-standing history in football and the traditions the program has in place is truly an honor, and I look forward to what’s in store. Most importantly, I am beyond excited to begin working with these talented young men. Let’s get it. Hail Southern!”

Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports cited sources saying that Harris will bring with him from Washington defensive line coach Rip Rowan, a Marietta native who played at Austin Peay, to coach the same position with the Eagles, and analyst Aaron Schwanz to coach the linebackers.

In his first season as Washington’s defensive backs coach (2020), Harris was part of helping the Huskies improve from No. 56 nationally in pass defense in 2019 (222.2 yards per game) to No. 13 nationally and No. 1 in the Pac-12 (184.9 yards per game).

In 2020, Harris helped coach the top defense in the Pac-12 in terms of total defense and passing yards allowed.

In 2019, Harris was an assistant defensive backs coach for UW and helped coach one of the strongest secondaries in the nation. The Huskies posted the No. 15 best scoring defense in the country, giving up less than 20 points per game.

Harris came to the UW after spending the 2016 and 2017 seasons at San Jose State coaching the defensive backs.

Harris spent the 2015 season as defensive backs coach at Dixie State in St. George, Utah. He began his coaching in 2013 as the defensive backs coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State and was in a similar capacity at Humboldt State in 2014. While at Humboldt State, he also served as the special teams coordinator.

Harris was a defensive back on five University of Southern California bowl teams for coach Pete Carroll. Harris was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection as a strong safety in 2009. Harris started his USC career in 2005 and played cornerback.

As a professional, Harris spent some time in the Seattle Seahawks camp and played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

Richard Owens to coach OL

Owens, 41, comes to Statesboro after three seasons as the offensive line coach at UAB.

In 2021, his line led the way for an offense that averaged 386 yards per game (180 rushing, 206 passing) with 43 offensive touchdowns (27 rushing, 20 passing). The Blazers capped a nine-win season by putting up over 400 yards of offense in an Independence Bowl win over No. 13 BYU.

The linemen up front, led by first-team all-conference selection Colby Ragland, helped pave the way for DeWayne McBride to rush for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns and protected for 2,200-yard passer Dylan Hopkins. Under Owens's tutelage, Andrew Smith Jr., Kadeem Telfort and Matthew Trehern earned honorable mention all-conference accolades.

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Helton said in a statement that he was very excited to add Owens to his new staff. Helton was hired in Nov. 2 and took full charge of the program after the season ended.

"Richard is known in our profession for producing physical, tough and disciplined offensive line units," Helton said in the statement. "His offensive line was a huge reason for UAB's success over the past three seasons. His units have brought impressive numbers both in the running game and protecting the quarterback.

"Richard understands what it takes to play at the highest level, having been a part of the NFL for five seasons," Helton said. "Having grown up right across the state line in Middleburg, Florida, he understands our Southeast recruiting footprint. The production of our offensive line will be raised to new heights under his leadership."

Owens said he can't wait to join Helton's staff.

"Georgia Southern University is a program that is enriched with and known for its great history, tradition and culture," he said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to being a part of it. Let's get going. Hail Southern!"

In 2020, Owens helped the Blazers win their third straight C-USA West Division title and its second C-USA championship in a three-year span. The Blazers' offensive line assisted the ground game in rushing for 200.0 yards per game and gave up the nation's fourth-fewest sacks (4).

Commentary: Give Clay Helton an opening, and he will seal the deal for Georgia Southern football

Owens was a tight end with the NFL's Vikings, Rams and Jets from 2004-09. He totaled 16 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown in his three-year career with Minnesota. In 2004, Owens started two of the eight games he played in, caught eight passes for 69 yards, and made three special teams tackles.

Owens began his coaching career in 2010 at the University of Arkansas and was with the Razorbacks as a graduate assistant working with tight ends for two seasons.

Owens then joined the Blazers in 2012 as the tight ends coach, and in 2013 was named the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. In 2014, Bill Clark's first year at UAB, Owens coached the tight ends.

Following the 2014 season, Owens went to South Alabama for three years as the tight ends coach in 2015 and the offensive line coach from 2016-17. He then worked at the University of Louisville, his alma mater, in 2018 as the tight ends coach and director of on-campus recruiting.

Honors for Thompson, other Eagles

Georgia Southern senior NaJee Thompson has been selected a first-team All-American by Pro Football Network as the outlet's top special teams player. Thompson, a from Boiling Springs, S.C., becomes the 90th All-American in program history.

Thompson played in nine games, starting two on defense at cornerback before getting hurt in the Coastal Carolina game. He missed the final three games after having ankle and thumb surgeries, but has announced his intentions to return as a Super Senior in 2022.

Thompson played a team-high 154 snaps on special teams and posted 25 tackles, one interception and a pass breakup on the season. He started the season as a receiver but made the move to cornerback from receiver full-time for the Arkansas game. For his career, he has played in 47 games and blocked three kicks, recovered threes fumbles and forced one fumble.

More: Georgia Southern bolsters receivers, QBs with coach Clay Helton's first recruiting class

PFN also announced its All-Sun Belt Conference teams and recognized five Eagles.

The first-team offense included Amare Jones, a senior transfer from Tulane, at flex. Jones played running back, receiver, slotback and quarterback this season and also returns kicks. Thompson is a first-team pick at special teams.

The second-team defense includes senior nose tackle C.J. Wright, while second-team specialists include redshirt-junior punter Anthony Beck II, a South Effingham High graduate.

Right tackle Caleb Kelly, a redshirt senior, made honorable mention on offense.

Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Southern football coach Clay Helton hires Richard Owens Eagles