Jeff Hanson - Football Coach - University of Richmond Athletics

Jeff Hanson

Title:
Defensive Ends Coach
Email:
jhanson2@richmond.edu
Phone:
287-6846

Jeff Hanson is in his third season as assistant coach for Russ Huesman in 2022. Hanson moved over to coach the defensive tackles in 2022 after spending two years coaching the defensive ends. Hanson’s coaching career spans over five decades, starting in 1971 upon graduation and encompassing two NCAA FCS National Championships (2008 Richmond, 2016 James Madison). The 2022 season is his 51st year of coaching at the collegiate level.

Hanson led Darius Reynolds to All-CAA honors in both the shortened spring season in 2021 and the regular fall season in 2021. Last fall, Reynolds led the team with 9.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss. In the spring, Reynolds led the Spiders with 5.0 sacks in four games and was tied for the team lead with 6.0 tackles for loss. He led the CAA in overall sacks and sacks per game at 1.25.

The University of Richmond alum is no stranger to the Spiders’ sideline, having spent 31 seasons as an assistant coach for UR over four different stints (1971-79, 1989-06, 2008-09, 2020-21) during his lengthy career.

Hanson most recently spent two seasons (2018-19) as the defensive line coach at East Carolina. Prior to ECU, he coached at James Madison (2016-17) where he led a group that included seven All-Colonial Athletic Association selection and National Defensive Player of the Year award winner Andre Ankrah (2017).

Hanson’s defensive line was part of the Dukes’ No. 1 national ranked defense in four defensive categories in 2017 – scoring (11.1 ppg), interceptions (31), pass efficiency defense (83.12) and turnovers gained (44). His defensive line accounted for 33.5 sacks that season. Hanson helped the 2016 defense rank eighth nationally in turnover margin and 16^th in scoring defense (21.2 ppg) while helping James Madison win the 2016 National Championship.

Hanson also worked at JMU for one season (2013) before coaching one year at Ferrum College (2014) and one season at Virginia State (2015).

Hanson spent three seasons as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Virginia (2010-12). In his final year with the Cavaliers, he was elevated to assistant head coach and head of recruiting. His 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes ranked in the top-30 nationally in FBS.

Hanson was part of Virginia’s defensive improvement, as the Cavaliers ranked third in the ACC in total defense and fifth against the run, giving up just 139.5 rushing yards per game.

Hanson’s most recent stint at Richmond came in 2008-09, where was part of the Spiders’ 2008 national championship team and 2009 CAA co-championship squad. During the national title season, Hanson guided Lawrence Sidbury and Sherman Logan to All-CAA honors as the tandem combined for 17.5 of the program’s 36 sacks.

Hanson had two other stints with the Spiders, coaching from 1989-2006 and 1971-79. He was on Dave Clawson’s staff from 2004-06 coaching the defensive line that included three All-Conference selections in Sherman Logan, Johnny Campbell and Dan Mangiero.

Aside from Richmond, Hanson also had coaching stops at VMI (2007), West Texas State (1987-88), Southwest Texas State (1983-86), Lamar (1982-83) and Marshall (1980-81).

A native of Beloit, Wisconsin, Hanson graduated from Richmond with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in education. As a player, he was a linebacker for the Spiders and part of the 1968 Tangerine Bowl championship team. He earned All-Big Eight Conference honors during his career.

After his playing days, Hanson remained with the Spiders as a graduate assistant, coaching the freshmen defensive lineman from 1971-73 while completing his degree programs. He was part of the 1971 Tangerine Bowl Team. He then earned his first full-time role with UR, working with the tight ends and receivers in his first season, and with the defense over the next four seasons.