16 minute read
Assistant Coaches
Vincent Brown
Assoc. HC; Def. Coord. • LB 3rd Season
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Christian Taylor
Offensive Coordinator • QB 2nd Season
Vincent Brown is in his third season as the Tribe’s associate head coach/ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Brown successfully helped guide the program through the challenges.
W&M’s defense allowed just 322.0 yards per game last season, including just 167.7 yards per contest through the air. Highlighting the individual accolades was standout defensive end Will Kiely who earned secondteam all-conference honors.
Brown’s first season leading W&M’s defense provided a number of highlights, as his unit established itself among the league’s best in creating turnovers. In addition to leading the Colonial Athletic Association with 2.0 forced turnovers per game, the Tribe’s 24 forced turnovers marked the program’s highest total since 2009.
W&M’s defense also nearly broke into the program’s single-season top-10 lists in multiple categories. Its 30 sacks were just one shy, while its rushing defense (152.9) was just 3.0 yards from ranking among the program’s very best.
Bill Murray highlighted the individual Tribe standouts who benefited from Brown’s tutelage, as the standout defensive tackle earned first-team All-America honors from Hero Sports and signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
Brown, a former All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots, took over the Tribe’s defense in 2019 after stints as a coordinator at Howard University and UConn. He also coached at the University of Virginia and with the Dallas Cowboys.
A three-time All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots (1991, 1992, 1993), Brown was selected in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He went on to start 103 of 123 games for the Patriots before retiring in 1995.
Brown and his wife, Chandra, have four children: Dane, Vincent II, Raven and Jorian.
Following an unprecedented year in which the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Christian Taylor returns for his second season as the Tribe’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
While the unique season provided challenges to installing a new offensive system, it also enabled the unit to begin building a foundation upon which future success will be realized. In addition to ranking fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association in passing efficiency (133.1), a pair of standouts earned postseason honors – left tackle Andrew Trainer (All-CAA Second Team) and running back Malachi Imoh (VaSID All-State Second Team).
After leading one of the nation’s most productive offensive units at the University of San Diego from 2018-19, Taylor returned to his alma mater in the winter of 2020.
Taylor, who played quarterback at W&M from 2002-06 and was an assistant coach on the Tribe’s staff for two seasons (2008-09), returned to Williamsburg with impressive credentials that includes being selected as a finalist as the 2018 FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Under Taylor’s direction, USD ranked among the nation’s top 10 in scoring offense (10th in 2018; 5th in 2019) and was sixth in total offense in 2019. Additionally, the Toreors ranked second nationally in passing offense in 2018 and 11th in 2019, as they earned earn a pair of conference championships and FCS Playoff berths.
Taylor began his coaching career as W&M’s tight ends coach in 2008 before leading the Tribe’s quarterbacks in 2009, helping lead the squad earn a FCS Playoff semifinal appearance.
Originally from Yorktown, Virginia, Taylor attended Grafton High School. He is married to Shay Timms and they have two sons, Anthony and Tyler. Shay earned her undergraduate degree (BBA ‘96) and Law degree (JD ‘99) from USD.
Gordon Sammis
Run Game Coordinator • OL 3rd Season
Gordon Sammis is in his third season at William & Mary as the offensive line coach and his second as the run game coordinator.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Sammis’ unit posted a successful year and was responsible for much of the offensive production. Left tackle Andrew Trainer highlighted the group’s individual accolades and earned second-team all-conference honors.
Under Sammis’ direction, the Tribe’s offensive line was a catalyst for W&M’s tremendous improvement in 2019. In addition to nearly doubling its scoring output compared to 2018, W&M averaged nearly 100 more total yards per game than it did in the season prior to Sammis’ arrival. The offensive line’s play was especially effective in boosting the Tribe’s rushing attack, which increased its production on the ground by more than 130 yards per game and scored 21 more rushing touchdowns than the squad’s 2018 figures. Additionally, the Tribe’s 26 rushing touchdowns was just one shy of breaking into the program’s single-season top-10 list, while its 462 rushing yards in the win against Rhode Island set a singlegame school record.
Highlighting the individuals who benefited from Sammis’ tutelage was Mark Williamson, who garnered all-conference honors as the Tribe’s starting right guard.
Sammis successful coaching career has also included stints at Lafayette College, VMI and Columbia University.
A 2007 University of Virginia graduate, Sammis earned a degree in Government after a playing career as an offensive guard that spanned from 2003-07.
Sammis returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant coach from 2010-12, earning a master’s degree in education in 2012. He worked as an offensive line assistant during his first season and with the tight ends the following year.
Mike London Jr.
Video Coordinator • WR 3rd Season
Mike London Jr. is in his third season at William & Mary as the wide receivers coach and his second as the video coordinator.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, London successfully continued developing his unit despite the challenges. Highlighting the group was Cole Blackman, a transfer who made an immediate impact and ranked among the conference’s top 10 in receiving yards per game, yards per catch and receptions per game.
London led a dynamic and productive group of wideouts during his initial season with the Tribe in 2019, as multiple members of the unit flourished under his leadership. True freshman Kane Everson highlighted the position group and earned Freshman All-America honors after setting true freshman single-season school records for catches (46) and receiving yards (585). Zach Burdick also posted a breakout season under London’s tutelage and ranked third in the conference and 16th nationally with 19.3 yards per catch.
In addition to the individual success, W&M’s receivers contributed to the team’s dramatic improvement offensively in which it nearly double its scoring output and averaged nearly 100 more total yards per game from the previous season.
London Jr. joined the Tribe’s staff after a tremendously successful 2018 season as Howard University’s wide receivers coach where he helped the Bison rank fourth nationally in yards per catch (17.27) and 16th in passing offense (278.0).
In addition to producing a pair of first-team All-MEAC wideouts, Jequez Ezzard ranked seventh nationally in receiving yards per game (106.4) and 11th in receiving touchdowns (12).
Prior to leading HU’s receiving corps, London Jr. coached at the prep level at Paramus Catholic High School (Paramus, N.J.) as the wide receivers coach and at AmherstPelham Regional (Amherst, Mass.) as the offensive coordinator.
Matt Johns
Quarterbacks Coach 3rd Season
Ras-I Dowling
Defensive Backs Coach 3rd Season
Matt Johns is in his third year as an assistant on William & Mary’s staff and his second coaching the quarterbacks after working with the inside wide receivers/tight ends in 2019.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Johns’ impact was evident in the team’s improved passing efficiency (133.1), which catapulted from 111.2 the previous year, and the continued development of standout quarterback Hollis Mathis.
One of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, Mathis led the CAA in total offense per game (232.0). Additionally, he ranked second in yards per completion (12.2), third in passing yards per game (189.5) and completion percentage (60.8), and fourth in passing efficiency (136.1).
During Johns’ first year at W&M, his group contributed to the team’s dramatic improvement offensively in which it nearly double its scoring output and averaged nearly 100 more total yards per game from the previous season.
A former starting quarterback at the University of Virginia, Johns joined the Tribe’s staff after serving as a graduate assistant working with the Cavaliers’ defense in 2018.
En route to helping Virginia post an 8-5 record, which included a shutout victory against South Carolina in the Belk Bowl, UVA’s defense produced three All-Atlantic Coast Conference selections. Additionally, the Cavaliers ranked 11th nationally in interceptions (17), 16th in passing yards allowed per game (183.0) and 21st in scoring defense (20.1).
Prior to joining the Cavaliers’ staff, Johns served as the quarterbacks coach at Central Bucks South High School in 2017.
A four-year letterwinner at Virginia, Johns finished his career ranked 11th on the program’s career passing list (4,233) and sixth in passing touchdowns (30) and 200-yard passing games (11). Ras-I Dowling is in his third season as an assistant at William & Mary and his second as the secondary coach after working with the cornerbacks in 2019.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Dowling’s unit emerged as one of the league’s best and ranked fourth in the conference in passing defense (167.7).
Dowling was instrumental in the success of the Tribe’s cornerbacks in 2019, as Corey Parker and Latrelle Smith, a true freshman, combined to be one of the conference’s top tandems. In addition to recording four interceptions, the duo combined to total 23 passes defended. Additionally, Parker ranked fourth in the conference with 1.17 PBU per game.
Dowling joined London at W&M after serving on his staff at Howard the previous two seasons.
After working as a defensive quality control coach on HU’s 2017 squad that posted a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in league play, Dowling was promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2018.
Drafted by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots with the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Dowling became the highest selected defensive back to ever play at the University of Virginia.
During his five years in the league, Dowling was a member of two Super Bowl teams – New England Patriots (2011) and Carolina Panthers (2015). He also spent time with the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders.
Dowling excelled as a standout player under London’s tutelage at UVA where he garnered All-America honors in 2010 and earned All-ACC accolades three times. Additionally, he served as a team captain and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Keenan Carter
Defensive Line Coach 3rd Season
Bo Revell
Recruiting Coordinator • ILB 7th Season
Keenan Carter is in his third season as the Tribe’s defensive line coach.
Carter has made a tremendous impact leading W&M’s defensive front and has produced an all-conference standout during each of his first two seasons. Will Kiely became the latest honoree, as he garnered secondteam distinction last year.
During Carter’s first season with the Tribe, his unit was instrumental in helping the team post 30 sacks and limit opposing rushing attacks to just 152.9 yards per game on the ground. Both figures ranked just outside the program’s all-time top-10 lists. Additionally, the Tribe ranked third in the CAA in TFL (82).
Bill Murray highlighted the individual Tribe standouts who benefited from Carter’s tutelage, as the standout defensive tackle earned first-team All-America honors from Hero Sports and signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
Carter joined W&M’s staff after leading the defensive line for Head Coach Mike London at Howard University during the previous two seasons.
Carter helped lead a young Bison defense that helped the program earn a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in league play in 2017.
Prior to his stint at Howard, Carter coached the defensive line at Bridgewater College for two seasons (2015-16). During his tenure at BC, Carter helped four players garner allconference accolades.
A two-year starter at nose guard at the University of Virginia, Carter graduated from UVA with a degree in sociology and went on to play with several NFL teams. He later earned a master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University.
Keenan and his wife, Jennifer, have four children: Keenan Jr., Peyton, Doug and Kylie.
Bo Revell is in his seventh season as a defensive assistant on the William & Mary coaching staff and his second as recruiting coordinator. He works with the Tribe’s inside linebackers.
Prior to his promotion to recruiting coordinator, he spent three seasons as the program’s video coordinator (2017-19).
In addition to producing multiple all-conference standouts during his tenure, Revell helped oversee the development of 2015 Butkus Award Watch List standout Luke Rhodes. One of the nation’s top collegiate linebackers throughout his career at W&M, Rhodes signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a successful senior season in which he earned first-team all-conference honors. Rhodes is currently a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Most recently, Revell was instrumental in the development and success of all-conference linebacker Nate Atkins, who finished his career last season ranked eighth in school history with 316 career tackles.
A former tight end for W&M, Revell began serving as a student assistant coach in December 2015 immediately after finishing his playing career. In that role, he performed a wide range of coaching duties, which included assisting with management of winter workouts and spring practice, as well as preparing practice tape analysis, self-scouting reports and development of spring practice plans.
A three-year starter, Revell was voted a team captain during his senior season. Although he suffered a broken leg during the 2014 season opener at Virginia Tech, he returned late in the campaign and earned starts in the final two games.
Revell graduated from W&M with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and health sciences and a minor in sociology.
He is married to former W&M women’s basketball team captain Victoria (Willems) Revell.
Darryl Blackstock
Outside Linebackers Coach 3rd Season
Darryl Blackstock is in his third season as an assistant on William & Mary’s staff and his second working with the outside linebackers.
Blackstock began his coaching career with the Tribe as a defensive assistant working primarily with the defensive line in 2019.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Blackstock’s unit excelled during the shortened ledger and was instrumental in helping the Tribe’s defense limit opponents to just 322.0 yards per contest.
In 2019, Blackstock assisted Keenan Carter’s highly successful unit and worked primarily with the defensive ends. The Tribe’s defense totaled 30 sacks and limited the opposition to just 152.9 rushing yards per game, as both figures ranked just outside the program’s all-time top-10 lists. Additionally, the Tribe ranked third in the CAA in TFL (82).
A seven-year NFL veteran as a linebacker/defensive end, Blackstock played professionally with the Arizona Cardinals (2005-07), Cincinnati Bengals (2008-09), Oakland Raiders (2011) and Baltimore Ravens (2012). He also played one season with the Orlando Tuskers (2010) in the UFL.
Selected by the Cardinals in the third round (95th pick overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft, Blackstock began his professional tenure after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Virginia. A threetime All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree, he led the league in sacks and ranked first in the nation among linebackers as a junior. His long list of collegiate accolades also includes being selected as the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News and garnering first-team freshman All-America distinction from numerous organizations.
Blackstock earned his undergraduate degree in finance and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
Jack Armstrong
Tight Ends Coach 2nd Season
Mike Marquez
Quality Control - Defense 3rd Season
Quinton Lee
Quality Control - Offense 1st Season
Jack Armstrong, a former team captain and wide receiver at William & Mary (2014-18), is in his second season as a full-time assistant and works with the tight ends.
Armstrong earned the promotion prior to the 2020 season after serving as an offensive analyst for the Tribe the previous year.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Armstrong was instrumental in the development of his position group. Anthony Mague was indicative of that success, as he posted a breakout season and emerged as the squad’s second-leading receiver.
Armstrong’s first season on the staff in 2019 was an incredibly productive year for the Tribe. While W&M relied heavily on a talented true freshman class that included its starting quarterback, its leading receiver and three of its top four rushers, the offense nearly doubled its scoring output from the prior season – improving from 13.6 points/game in 2018 to 25.2 points/ game in 2019. Additionally, W&M’s total yardage per game catapulted by nearly 100 yards per contest.
Nowhere was the dramatic progress more evident than in W&M’s rushing attack where it increased its production on the ground by more than 130 yards per game and scored 21 more rushing touchdowns than the squad’s 2018 figures. Additionally, the Tribe’s 26 rushing touchdowns was just one shy of breaking into the program’s single-season top-10 list, while its 462 rushing yards in the win against Rhode Island set a singlegame school record.
Mike Marquez enters his third season on William & Mary’s coaching staff as a defensive analyst.
Marquez’s primary responsibilities with the Tribe include providing opponent offensive breakdowns, data analytics and scouting reports for the defensive coordinator. Additionally, he assists the special teams coordinator with specialist, scout teams, drills, kicking charts and cutups.
Last spring, W&M’s defense allowed just 322.0 yards per game, including just 167.7 yards per contest through the air.
During his first season at W&M in 2019, the Tribe’s defense led the Colonial Athletic Association with 2.0 forced turnovers per game, while its 24 forced turnovers marked the program’s highest total since 2009.
W&M’s defense also nearly broke into the program’s single-season top10 lists in multiple categories during the 2019 campaign. Its 30 sacks were just one shy, while its rushing defense (152.9) was just 3.0 yards from ranking among the program’s very best.
The special teams units also excelled in 2019, as W&M ranked among the top 10 nationally in blocked kicks (6) and kickoff return average (23.7).
Marquez joined the Tribe’s staff following a four-year stint at Hampden-Sydney College (2015-18) where he worked with the defensive backs and served as an assistant strength & conditioning coaching. In addition to mentoring more than 30 all-conference selections, he helped lead the Tigers to a pair of Old Dominion Athletic Conference runner-up finishes.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Marquez played cornerback and special teams at HampdenSydney from 2012-14 where he helped the Tigers claim back-to-back ODAC titles in 2013 and 2014.
Marquez earned his undergraduate degree in economics from HampdenSydney in 2015 and a business certificate from the UVA McIntire School of Commerce in 2016.
Quinton Lee enters his first season on William & Mary’s coaching staff as an offensive analyst and works primarily with the running backs.
Lee begins his coaching career after a playing at Hampton University as a fullback and halfback from 201519.
A team captain for the Pirates, he helped HU win the AT&T Nations Classic twice and was selected as the 2017 Football Outstanding Scholar Student-Athlete.
In addition to his leadership and success on the field, he excelled in the classroom and earned a spot on the Big South President’s Honor Roll.