Jeff Nixon, who spent the past three years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he directed the running backs and special teams, is in his first season as running backs coach at Temple. A State College native, he is one of four former Nittany Lions on the Owls' coaching staff.

In 2005, the Mocs running game ranked 22nd in Division I-AA under Nixon's direction, averaging 206.18 yards per contest. Junior Eldra Buckley rushed for 1,233 yards and 11 TDs to place 16th among all I-AA ball carriers with 112.09 yards on the ground per game.

Nixon, who tutored running backs in each of his three seasons at UTC, handled multiple responsibilities during his tenure. In 2003 and 2004, he also served as recruiting coordinator. His efforts on the recruiting trail were recognized by Rivals.com, which ranked the Mocs 2004 recruiting class as the best in I-AA and the 2005 group as the No. 4-ranked class.

Nixon arrived in Chattanooga after coaching running backs at Shippensburg (Pa.) from 1999 to 2002. The Red Raiders set a school total offense record in 1999 before accumulating the second highest single-season rushing total in school history in 2001. The program compiled a four-year mark of 27-17 during his stint, including 8-3 records in 1999 and 2001. He coached four all-conference running backs, including All-American John Kuhn, who rushed for over 4,200 yards during his career.

Nixon spent the 1998 season as the running backs coach at Princeton. He coached Derek Theissen, who was an all-conference running back that season for the Tigers. Nixon began his coaching career in 1997, working as a student assistant coach under Penn State offensive coordinator Fran Ganter.

Nixon lettered at Penn State in 1996, playing running back and on special teams. The Nittany Lions posted an 11-2 record and defeated Texas 38-15 in the Fiesta Bowl to conclude the season ranked No. 7 in both polls. In additional to his on-field achievements, he earned spots on both the Dean's List and the Big Ten Conference All-Academic Team. At PSU, he played with former high school teammate and current Temple defensive line coach Matt Rhule.

Nixon's collegiate career began at West Virginia, as he originally signed with the Mountaineers before transferring to PSU. At WVU, he played played both running back and on special teams as a true freshman. In 1993, the Mountaineers posted a perfect 11-0 regular season. The squad finished 11-1 overall after playing for a national championship against Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

Born October 16, 1974 in Rochester, Pa., Nixon earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Penn State in 1998 before receiving a master's in education administration from Shippensburg in 2003. He is married to the former Laura Moss. The couple has a five-year-old son, William Apollos, twin daughters, Faith and Hope, born Dec. 16, 2002, and a one year-old daughter named Jasmine (12/10/05).

PERSONAL

Year Coaching: 10th

College: Penn State '98, B.A. Elementary Education; Shippensburg '03, M.Ed. Administration

High School: State College (Pa.)

COACHING

Temple

2006 - Running Backs

Tennessee-Chattanooga

2005 - Running Backs/Special Teams

2004 - Running Backs/Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator

2003 - Running Backs/Recruiting Coord.

Shippensburg

1999-02 - Running Backs

Princeton

1998 - Running Backs

Penn State

1997 - Student Assistant Coach

PLAYING

West Virginia

1993-94 - Running Back

Penn State

1995-96 - Running Back

BOWL EXPERIENCE

As a coach (1): 1998 Florida Citrus Bowl

As a player (4): 1997 Fiesta Bowl, 1996 Outback Bowl, 1995 Carquest Bowl, 1994 Sugar Bowl

GOLDEN ON NIXON

"Numerous people in this business have been on notice about a rising star at UT-Chattanooga named Jeff Nixon. As the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach at UTC, he led a recruiting campaign that garnered the #1 ranking in I-AA. After talking with Jeff, it didn't take long to see that he shares my enthusiasm and passion for both coaching and recruiting. He is a perfect fit for Temple University."