Harlen Jacobs is entering his 4th season as the Defensive Coordinator at Shorter University. Previously he served as the Defensive Coordinator at Notre Dame College (NDC). He brings over thirteen years of collegiate football experience. Beyond his impressive list of credentials, he has been instrumental in building winning programs including assisting NDC to two of the most successful seasons in the school’s history. Coach Jacob’s has brought the Shorter Hawks defense from 8th overall in the Gulf South Conference to 4th overall in the GSC. He has brought All-Conference players to the Hawk defense the last three seasons.
Harlen Jacobs joined the NDC football coaching staff prior to the 2017 season as the team's Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. Prior to the 2018 season, he was named Co-Defensive Coordinator.
The 2018 season was the most successful in Notre Dame history, and Jacobs's defense was a big part of the team's run to the NCAA DII National Semifinals. In his first season as NDC's Co-Defensive Coordinator, his team ranked first in the country in red-zone defense (.513) and fumble recoveries (20). The unit also ranked third in turnovers gained (34), third in sacks (50), fifth in rushing defense (82.9 yards allowed per game), and 15th in third-down defense (.296).
NDC saw continued success in 2019, making an NCAA DII National Quarterfinals appearance, and the defense played a big role. The Falcons ranked ninth in Division II rushing defense, allowing just 90.0 yards against on average. Notre Dame also ranked second in tackles for a loss (128) and ninth in sacks (40).
Jacobs's players have also seen a great deal of individual success as defensive lineman Sha'haun Williams led the NCAA DII in sacks (20.0) while defensive back Jeffrey Thomas led the country in broken-up passes (27) in 2018; both of those marks also rank in the top three in NCAA DII Single-Season history. As Co-Defensive Coordinator, Jacobs has led several players to multiple accolades that include 15 all-conference, five all-region and two All-American honors. In 2019, defensive back Bryce Sheppert was named MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
As the Special Teams Coordinator in 2017, Jacobs's unit led the MEC in punt return average (17.6). Overall, NDC had two return touchdowns. Marvelle Ross was named All-MEC as a return specialist that year.
Prior to his tenure at NDC, Jacobs spent seven seasons at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) finishing as the Defensive Coordinator. During this stint, ODU had six winning seasons, one conference championship, two NCAA DII playoff appearances, a NCAA DII National quarterfinalist appearance, and the most players receiving conference honors.
With more than 10 years of coaching experience in the Midwest, Jacobs is excited to return home state and ready to begin his journey as a Hawk.
“I look forward to helping student athletes reach their full potential through the establishment of positive relationships founded on the principles of teamwork, respect, discipline, and morality. We will unashamedly strive to be winners on the field, in the community, and in our personal lives.”
Jacobs was a two-sport athlete at The Ohio State University, where he earned four-varsity letters as a defensive back on the Buckeye’s football team and was a two-year letter winner in track and field. In 2002, Jacobs was an integral part of the Big Ten Championship football squad and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Championship. He received his bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science in 2005.
Jacobs is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and is a graduate of Fredrick Douglass High school.
