Jeff Long Jr. Accepts Head Football Coach Job at Moravian University

1/13/2023 9:15:00 AM | By: JCUSID

Jeff Long coached incredible defenses during his time at John Carroll.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- After an outstanding six-season run with John Carroll Football, Jeff Long Jr. is moving onward and upward.

Long has accepted the head coach position at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, returning closer to home.

Long arrived at John Carroll in 2017 and made an immediate impact as a defensive line coach. In 2020, Long earned promoted to defensive coordinator, leading the Blue Streaks on the defensive side of the ball for the last three seasons. He also served as associate head coach during his time at JCU.

In 2022, Long guided a JCU defense that ranked highly in NCAA Division III in a wide range of statistical categories, including 20th in total defense (253.2 yards per game), 19th in scoring defense (13.1 points per game), 16th in rushing (69.1 ypg), 4th in 4th down defense (18.8%), 18th in sacks (32/3.2 per game), and 13th in tackles for loss (83/8.3 per game). He mentored 5 All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections (DL Bricker Thiel, LB Jahiem Peake, DB Kiefer Askew, DL Nick Costanzo, and DB JonMarcus Roland). Peake earned All-American accolades and Thiel notched Academic All-America recognition.

During the 2021 campaign, the John Carroll defense surrendered just 16.9 points per game. Long coached four All-OAC selections and was a finalist for the 2021 OAC Assistant Coach of Year. Long's defense ranked amongst the best in Division III in a number of categories, including Total Defense: 279.5 ypg (38th); Scoring Defense: 15.2 ppg (24th); Rushing Defense: 78.4 ypg (18th); and Red Zone Defense: 59.1% (16th).

During the shortened spring 2021 season, Long's defense held opponents to 27 points in 2 home games, wins over Baldwin Wallace and Marietta. The Blue Streaks registered 6 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception in 3 games. The Blue Streaks also limited foes to just 2.8 yards per carry on the ground. Four Blue Streaks garnered All-OAC recognition.

Under Long's leadership from 2017-2019, the Blue Streaks led all of College Football (NAIA, DIII, DII, FCS, FBS) in sacks per game (3.94). For those three straight season, JCU led the OAC in sacks and notched all 4 defensive line starters on the All-OAC team. In each of the three seasons, JCU tallied 30+ sacks (122 total).

The Blue Streaks' defensive line was the most successful unit on the team during 2019. Under Long's direction, all four starting defensive linemen were honored as All-OAC.

In the 2018 season, Long coached the defensive line to lead Division III in sacks with 57. Long coached senior Jimmy Thomas to win the Paul Hoernemann Award, which is the most outstanding defensive lineman as well as first team All-OAC.

During his time at JCU, Long has enjoyed a number of professional growth opportunities, prominently as a selected participant at the 2021 NFL/NCAA Coaches Academy. Additionally, Long has participated in the 2022 Indianapolis Glazier Clinic, 2022 OHSFCA Clinic, 2021 Glazier Drive, 2020 Detroit Glazier Clinic, 2019 Cleveland Glazier Clinic, and 2018 Pittsburgh Nike Coach of Year Clinic Speaker. Long has been an AFCA member since 2015.

Long returns closer to home to coach at Moravian. He played at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania while earning his Bachelor degree in History in 2014. The Greyhounds will face rival Muhlenberg to open the 2023 season. The Greyhounds will join the Landmark Conference in 2023.

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