THE FLATS – After helping lead Valdosta State to the 2021 NCAA Division II national championship game as defensive coordinator, veteran defensive coach Jason Semore has returned to Georgia Tech as an assistant coach, head coach Geoff Collins announced on Saturday.
Semore spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons at Georgia Tech as a defensive analyst, before being named the defensive coordinator at Valdosta State in 2021. In Semore’s lone season at the helm of VSU’s defense, the Blazers ranked among the top 20 nationally in defensive touchdowns (seventh – 4), pass defense (15th – 160.0 ypg), red-zone defense (15th – .673) and fumble recoveries (16th – 12). Valdosta State ranked among the top two in the Gulf South Conference – one of Division II’s most competitive leagues – in 10 different defensive statistical categories, including scoring defense (second – 22.7 ppg), en route to a 12-2 overall record and national runner-up finish.
A 15-year coaching veteran at the collegiate level, Semore has had successful stints as a defensive coordinator at Valdosta State (2021), Montana (2016-17) and Colorado School of Mines (2014), as well as serving as the co-defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Adams State (2008-09).
At Georgia Tech, Semore will serve as linebackers coach. The addition of Semore will allow defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker to focus entirely on developing and implementing the Jackets’ defensive game plan and leading Tech’s revamped defensive staff.
“I’m excited to round out our coaching staff with Jason Semore and to welcome Jason, Jessy, and their children back to the Georgia Tech football family,” Collins said. “Jason is a proven defensive coach who has a great track record of player development and success at every stop of his career. We missed his expertise on the defensive side of the ball this past season and we’re grateful to welcome him back to our team.”
In addition to his experience as a defensive coordinator, Semore’s collegiate coaching career also includes three years as a defensive analyst under Collins at Tech (2019-20) and Temple (2018), a season as secondary coach and special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator at Montana (2015), two seasons as a defensive assistant at Oklahoma State (2012-13), two seasons as outside linebackers coach at Tulsa (2010-11) and a season as secondary coach at Colorado School of Mines (2007). He began his coaching career as defensive coordinator at Round Valley H.S. in Springerville, Ariz.
In Semore’s two seasons as a defensive analyst at Georgia Tech, the Jackets ranked among the nation’s top 40 in pass defense (207.7 ypg) and top 25 in red-zone defense (.774) in 2019 and ranked No. 2 nationally in fumble recoveries (12 in 10 games) and No. 25 in total takeaways (18 in 10 games) in 2020. In his lone season at Temple, the Owls ranked among the top four teams nationally in defensive touchdowns (first – 8), forced turnovers (third – 31), fumble recoveries (third – 13) and interceptions (fourth – 18).
Prior to joining Collins at Temple, Semore helped lead Montana to three-straight winning seasons and produced the Big Sky Conference’s top-ranked defense as the Grizzlies’ defensive coordinator in 2016 (349.0 ypg).
Other career highlights include a 10-2 season as defensive coordinator at Colorado School of Mines, bowl appearances in each of his four seasons at Oklahoma State and Tulsa and leading Arizona’s Class 3A in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense in his lone season at Round Valley H.S.
“My wife, Jessy, and I could not be more excited about returning to The Flats. We love everything about Georgia Tech and the city of Atlanta,” Semore said. “We are very appreciative of Coach Collins for the opportunity and are excited to be a part of his vision and plan for the future success of Georgia Tech football.”
Semore played collegiately at Adams State, where he was a linebacker from 2001-05 and earned a bachelor’s degree in history, government and philosophy in 2005. He also has two master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix (2007 – criminal justice) and the University of Tulsa (2012 – educational methods). He married his wife, Jessy, in 2019, and has two daughters, Paityn and Palmer, and a son, Decker.
THE JASON SEMORE FILE
Personal
Hometown: Ganado, Ariz.
Family: Wife: Jessy; Children: Paityn, Palmer and Decker
Alma Mater: Adams State, 2005
Playing Experience (LB)
2001-05: Adams State
Coaching Experience
2006: Round Valley H.S. – Springerville, Ariz. (defensive coordinator)
2007: Colorado School of Mines (secondary)
2008-09: Adams State (co-defensive coordinator/secondary/special teams coordinator)
2010-11: Tulsa (outside linebackers)
2012-13: Oklahoma State (defensive assistant)
2014: Colorado School of Mines (defensive coordinator)
2015: Montana (secondary/special teams coordinator)
2016-17: Montana (defensive coordinator)
2018: Temple (senior defensive advisor)
2019-20: Georgia Tech (defensive analyst)
2021: Valdosta State (defensive coordinator)
2022-: Georgia Tech (linebackers)
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