University of Richmond Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator
- Email:
- jdurden@richmond.edu
- Phone:
- 289-8377
Jeff Durden is in his fifth season as the Spiders’ offensive coordinator in 2021. Durden has been an offensive coordinator at the FCS level for the past 22 years and has been an assistant coach for the past 33 years. He has been part of seven conference championships and a National Championship. He has also coached the teams' quarterbacks since 2019.
In 2019, quarterback Joe Mancuso accounted for 2,775 yards of total offense. Mancuso passed for 2,128 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air while rushing for 647 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 647 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on the ground led the CAA.
In his first season at Richmond, Durden guided one of the top offenses in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Spiders ranked first in the CAA in total offense at 452.7 yards per game and in passing offense at 341.0 yards per game, while ranking second in the league in scoring offense at 30.9 points per game.
Durden coached former Spider Kyle Lauletta to the CAA Offensive Player of the Year award. Lauletta led the CAA with 3,737 yards, 28 passing TDs and 3,827 yards of total offense and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.
Prior to arriving at Richmond, Durden was a part of Coach Huesman’s staff at Chattanooga for four seasons, being a part of three FCS playoff appearances with the Mocs. He helped Chattanooga post a 36-12 record during his time.
Durden guided Jacob Huesman to three-straight Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors (2013-15), while UTC set a school record for scoring (34.7 ppg) in 2014. The Mocs' 34.2 ppg in 2016 was second-highest in school history.
Only 35 times in FCS history have teammates rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season, but the Mocs did it twice with Durden at the helm. Both Derrick Craine (1,251) and Huesman (1,244) topped 1,000 yards in 2015, while Huesman (1,009) and Keon Williams (1,037) did it in 2014.
Prior to his time at Chattanooga, Durden spent nine seasons at CAA rival James Madison, helping guide the Dukes to the 2004 National Championship. He was part of five FCS playoff runs at JMU. Durden led James Madison to the top-20 in FCS in rushing yards eight times in his nine seasons. The Dukes accumulated more than 400 yards per game four times and averaged more than 28 points per game six times in his nine campaigns calling plays.
Durden has coached many top quarterbacks during his career, including former Walter Payton Award runner-up Rodney Landers. He was the CAA Player of the Year and National Player of the Year runner-up in 2008.
Prior to joining James Madison, Durden gained experience in the SoCon as an assistant coach at VMI from 1999-03. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Keydets his last two years in Lexington. VMI set team season records for points in 2002 and points and total offense in 2003.
From 1995-98, Durden was the offensive coordinator at Morehead State. In 1997, the Eagles led the FCS in scoring and were second in the nation in total offense. Durden also coached at California (Pa.), West Georgia and Georgetown (Ky.) earlier in his career.
As a student-athlete, Durden was an all-conference defensive back at Georgetown (Ky.) where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1988. He also holds a Master’s in Education from West Georgia (1991). He has a son, Jakob (23), and a daughter, Hannah (20). Durden is married to the former Khara Lounsbury.
