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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Jeff Long headshot

Jeff Long Jr.

RECRUITING AREAS: Ohio (West side of Cleveland), Pennsylvania (District VII), New Jersey

Jeff Long enters his sixth season on the John Carroll University Football coaching staff entering the 2022-23 academic year. Long serves as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Blue Streaks. Additionally, Long is the associate head coach.

2022 Accomplishments: 
  • Defensive Rankings: Total Defense – 253.2 ypg (20th in Div. III); Scoring Defense – 13.1 ppg (19th in Div. III); Rushing Defense – 69.1 ypg (16th in Div. III); 4th Down Defense - .188% (4th in Div. III); Team Sacks – 32/3.2 pg (18th in Div. III); Team TFLs – 83/8.3 pg (13th in Div. III); Defensive TDs – 3 (T-20th in Div. III)
  • All-OAC Selections – DL Bricker Thiel, LB Jahiem Peake (1st team); DB Kiefer Askew (2nd team), DL Nick Costanzo (2nd team); DB JonMarcus Roland (Honorable Mention)
During the 2021 season, the Blue Streak defense never allowed more than 28 points in a game, surrendering just 16.9 points per game. Bricker Thiel, Tyshawn Jones, and Nate Leopold garnered All-OAC First Team selections. Daniel Garcar earned a Second Team nod. The Blue Streaks held 4 of the nation’s top 50 scoring offenses (Mount Union, Ohio Northern, Heidelberg, and Washington and Jefferson) to under half their season points per game average. Long was a finalist for 2021 OAC Assistant Coach of Year.

In 2021, 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 Men of Mayhem tabbed 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. Daniel Garcar, Tyshawn Jones, and Nate Leopold all attracted All-OAC honors, and Harrison Richardson also garnered Honorable Mention All-OAC recognition. 

Under Long's tutelage 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. Senior Conner Bogard was named first team All-OAC for the third consecutive season and was also honored as a second team D3Football.com All-American. Fellow senior Tyler Frederick was also named first team and Cal Reynolds earned second team All-Conference honors for finishing second in the OAC in sacks (10). Reynolds was also recognized by D3Football.com as All-North Region third team. Junior Harrison Richardson finished the year with 10 tackles for loss and was named an Honorable Mention. 

As a unit in 2019, the JCU defensive line finished 14th in Division III in sacks (35). The defensive unit as a whole finished fourth in scoring defense (11.5 points per game) and eighth in total defense (242.8 yards per game). The team finished the season ranked #7/11 in the country with a 9-1 overall record, 8-1 in OAC play. 

In 2019, Long's defense ranked amongst the best in Division III in a number of categories, including Total Defense: 242.8 ypg (8th); Scoring Defense: 11.5 ppg (4th); Total Sacks: 35/3.5 pg (14th); 3rd Down Defense: 26.2% (9th); Passing Defense: 148.1 ypg (8th).

In the 2018 season, Long served as the Defensive Line for John Carroll. 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. Thomas went on to earn a tryout with the Arizona Cardinals in the spring of 2019. Long also coached Conner Bogard and Adam Thompson to first team All-OAC and Tyler Frederick to second team All-OAC. 

During the 2017 season, Long served as the Defensive Line coach for the Blue Streaks. Long helped lead the John Carroll defense to No. 3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference in sacks with 30. JCU also was ranked No. 2 in rushing yards allowed per game with 135.6. Long coached DL Conner Bogard to first team All-OAC, DL Jimmy Thomas, DL Adam Thompson to second team All-OAC and Tyler Frederick to honorable mention 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. 

Prior to John Carroll, Long served as the Defensive Line coach at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania for the 2015-16 seasons. He implemented weekly defensive game plans and coordinated all aspects of the on-campus recruiting visiting for prospective students. 

Also in 2015, Long worked as a scouting intern for the Philadelphia Eagles. He worked directly with the Directors of Pro and College scouting by evaluating film and preparing daily NFL wire reports. 

Before Long made his college coaching debut, he worked as an assistant high school football coach. 

In the 2014 season, Long coached at Absegami High School in New Jersey. He worked directly with the offensive and defensive line. He also served as the Special Teams Coordinator. 

In 2013, Long served as the Offensive Coordinator and offensive/defensive line coach for the freshman team at Emmaus High School in Pennsylvania. During his time at Emmaus, he served as the off season strength and conditioning coach. 

Long played collegiate football at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania while earning his Bachelor degree in History in 2014. 

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