UMASS Names Steven Daniels Jr. Assistant DL Coach

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The University of Massachusetts football team has announced their new assistant defensive line coach, Steven Daniels Jr. Last season, the Minutemen finished with a 3-9 record, during which the defense allowed an average of 5.7 rushing yards per attempt and 220.8 rushing yards per game.

Steven Daniels Jr. aims to collaborate with coach Ben Albert to strengthen the defense, aiming for improvement as they enter the third year of coach Don Brown's second tenure. This hiring represents an in-house promotion, as Daniels Jr. has been part of the staff since before the 2023 season, serving in the capacity of a defensive analyst.

Who is Steven Daniels Jr.

Daniels Jr. has already established a career in coaching. As a defensive analyst, he worked with the linebackers in drills and fostered relationships with the entire defense and potential recruits. Before joining UMASS in 2023, he served as the Director of Defensive Recruiting at Boston College, where he also played as a linebacker from 2012 to 2016. Daniels Jr. has also held positions as a linebacker coach at Bryant University and as a Performance and Assistant Strength Coach at Northeastern University.

As a player, Daniels Jr. concluded his college career with 266 tackles. During his senior year, he garnered First Team All-ACC recognition as a linebacker, playing a pivotal role in one of the nation's top defenses. Following his departure from Boston College for the NFL draft in 2016, he was selected in the 7th round by the then-named Washington Redskins. He subsequently had stints with the Eagles and Giants before transitioning to a coaching career, starting as an intern at Boston College.