After spending two seasons at James Madison, where he produced one of the nation’s top offensive fronts, Jamal Powell joins the Lamar University coaching staff where he will work with the Cardinals offensive linemen.
During Powell’s two years with JMU, he helped produce a dominant line that guided the Dukes to a 14-1 (.933) overall record and the 2016 FCS National Championship. The Dukes closed the season winning their final 12 games and posted a perfect 8-0 record in Colonial Athletic Association games.
The Dukes set several conference records, including marks for scoring (700 points), rushing offense (4,125), total offense (7,612) and first downs (380). Nationally, JMU led the FCS in winning percentage, completion percentage (70.8) and team pass efficiency (181.69).
JMU also ranked second nationally in scoring (46.70 ppg), fourth in third-down conversions (50 percent), fifth in rushing yards (275.0), sixth in fumbles lost (4), eighth in turnover margin (1.13) and 10th in turnovers lost (13). JMU’s offense also produced 18 100-yard rushing performances. Among all the records being set, Powell also coached three players to all-conference honors, including a pair of All-Americans.
Powell came to JMU from West Virginia State, where he was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach, as well as the program’s strength and conditioning coach. Before WVSU, Powell held the same title at Seton Hill University.
He has also had stints as a coach at Texas A&M (graduate assistant coach/offensive line), Centre College (run game coordinator/offensive line) and Southwest Baptist University (run game coordinator/offensive line).
During his time at Texas A&M, he coached three All-Big 12 linemen, two which were selected in the NFL Draft. At Centre College, Powell coached 13 All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference offensive linemen, three of which earned All-South Region honors and one that was a two-time All-American. He also coached one all-conference lineman each at SBU and WVSU.
Powell spent time playing for four different professional football organizations, including time with the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans. He also spent two seasons in the Canadian Football League.
A native of Houston, Powell played collegiate football at TCU where he was a first-team All-Conference USA selection and All-America honoree. He closed out his career by receiving consideration for the Rimington Trophy, and was named the C-USA Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year.
The four-year letterwinner graduated from TCU with a degree in speech communications and a minor in business. Powell and his wife Rachel have two daughters, Jaden and Ellison, and a son, William.
