In this episode of the Life and Football Podcast our special guest is Jeremy Hawkins. Jeremy Hawkins is the Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator for Defense for Eastern Kentucky Football. This was a great interview. Jeremy Hawkins was chosen as EKU’s defensive line coach in January 2020. He had previously worked on the staffs at Mercer, LSU and Alabama-Birmingham. In his first season, Hawkins helped the defense stymie a pair of Southern Conference offenses helping EKU beat The Citadel, 37-14, on the road and Western Carolina, 49-17, in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl. EKU also knocked off No. 11 Central Arkansas for the program’s first win over a top-25 ranked team since 2013, and first victory over a non-conference ranked team since 2003. Eastern held Troy to 10 second half points as EKU nearly upset the FBS Trojans on the road. In 2019, Hawkins was the defensive line coach at Mercer. He also coached field goal block and the scout team offense. Hawkins was responsible for recruiting Georgia and Alabama. As the assistant director of player personnel at LSU during the 2018 season, Hawkins helped the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. His responsibilities included all aspects of recruiting, coordinating recruiting areas for all coaches, and discovery and evaluation of all prospects. Hawkins served as the assistant defensive line coach and director of player personnel at Alabama-Birmingham during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. In his final season, the Blazers went 8-5 and earned a spot in the Bahamas Bowl. During the 2014 season, Hawkins was the head coach and defensive coordinator at Middle Georgia State College. In 2012 and 2013, he was the defensive line coach at Dublin High School. His college coaching career began as the running backs and tight ends coach at the University of Central Oklahoma during the 2011 season. Hawkins was a four-year letter winner at Troy University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sports and fitness management in 2009 and a master’s degree in sports administration in 2014. As a player, he helped the Trojans reach three bowl games. Hawkins also played one year of Arena Football for the Iowa Bandits. Hawkins wife is Kristen and their two daughters Adelle and Abigail. The Life and Football Podcast is available on the following platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, Breaker, Overcast Pocketcasts, Radio Public, Stitcher, Player FM, & YouTube!