Rudi Small, RB Coach

assistant coach >>>>>>> RUDI SMALL

>>> running backs <<<

Rudi Small, the all-time leading rusher in Jacksonville University football history, has been tabbed to coach the Catamount running backs, joining the Western Carolina coaching staff in the spring of 2021.

In his first season in Cullowhee, Small worked with WCU running backs Kenny Benjamin, who had three rushing and three receiving scores, and TJ Jones, who finished with 12 total touchdowns including nine on the ground.

Small earned his coaching start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2014, parlaying that experience into an assistant coaching position at Valdosta State in 2016. Working alongside his former position coach at Jacksonville – current WCU assistant coach Kerry Webb – Small helped coach the Blazers’ running backs at Valdosta State and was on staff during the 2018 undefeated season and national championship run.

Small led the Dolphins in rushing from 2007-2010 with three-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2008 (1,364), 2009 (1,074), and 2010 (1,145) – six of the top 10 individual season records in program history. A Walter Payton Award candidate in 2010, Small finished his career with 4,073 career rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. He continues to hold the Jacksonville record for all-purpose yards in a career with 5,765, career touchdowns with 49, and career points with 294 scored over his four-year career.

A former Trinity Catholic High product, Small matched a Jacksonville record with five rushing touchdowns against

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

HOMETOWN:

ALMA MATER:

FAMILY:

Ocala, Fla. Jacksonville Univ., 2011 Wife, Evelyn

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

JACKSONVILLE UNIV., graduate assistant (2014-15) VALDOSTA STATE UNIV., assistant coach / RBs (2016-18)

NOTABLE:

Played for Kerwin Bell at Jacksonville, leading the Dolphins in rushing from 2007-2010 with three-straight 1,000-yard seasons ... Was a Walter Payton Award candidate in 2010 ... Finished with 4,073 career rushing yards at Jacksonville with 43 TDs.

UNC Pembroke on Sept. 22, 2007, a 55-10 home victory for the Dolphins.

Small is a two-time graduate of Jacksonville University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management in 2012 and his Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Organizational Leadership Learning in 2016.

He and his wife, Evelyn, were married on August 3, 2014.