Coaching Experience
• Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Cornell University (2013-present)
• Defensive Coordinator, Princeton University (2009-13)
• Assistant Coach, Temple University (2006-09)
• Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Bucknell University (2002-06)
• Assistant Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, University of Maine (1999-2001)
• Assistant Coach, Pace University (1998)
• Graduate Assistant Coach, Rutgers University (1996-97)
• Graduate Assistant Coach, Springfield College (1995)
• Strength and Conditioning Intern, King’s College (1994)
Playing Experience
• Springfield College (1989-93)
Education
• B.A., Physical Education, Springfield (1993)
• M.A., Physical Education, Springfield (1998)
At Cornell
Jared Backus has served as Associate Head Coach and The John B. and Ann M. Rogers '45 Defensive Coordinator since 2013 and will continue to manage all aspects of the defensive game plan. His imprint can be seen on the Big Red defense – create havoc and turnovers will follow.
Backus transitioned the team to a 3-4 defense and has put a roster together that fits the scheme. In all, he has been instrumental in the development of 28 All-Ivy League selections.
Since taking over, Cornell hasn’t allowed a defensive touchdown four times, including posting the program’s first shutout in 22 years in a 3-0 victory over Columbia in 2015 – the first time a field goal was good for a Big Red win in 29 seasons. The team’s 15 interceptions in 2016 were the most by a Cornell team in 20 years, and its 24 sacks in 2017 were the most by a Big Red defense in nearly two decades.
With Backus at the helm, Cornell has registered 133 takeaways, forced 78 total fumbles, and has been credited with 451 tackles for loss and 165 sacks in 100 games.
In 2017, the Big Red allowed 110 yards per game fewer than the previous year. The Cornell defense led the Ivy League in fewest passing yards allowed, a mark that ranked 32nd nationally. Four defenders were named to the All-Ivy team and Cornell posted its three best single-game total defense totals in his tenure over a four-game span during the campaign.
In 2019, Backus and the defense had the Big Red ranked in the top 25 nationally in first downs defense (seventh, 115), third-down defense (11th, .321), red zone defense (15th, .719), rushing defense (18th, 121.9), scoring defense (19th, 20.7) and total defense (21st, 335.6). Behind first-team All-Ivy safety Jelani Taylor and second-teamers Jake Stebbins and David Jones, Cornell handed Ivy champion Dartmouth its only loss of the season and limited Marist to two rushing yards in the season opener, the sixth-lowest single-game rushing total in school history. The Big Red allowed fewer than 300 total yards in three contests during the year.
Prior to Cornell
Backus spent three seasons prior to arriving at Cornell as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Princeton after three seasons as defensive line and linebackers coach at Temple. He also served as defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for three seasons (2003-05) at Bucknell University and has stops at Maine, Pace, Lebanon Valley, Rutgers, Springfield and King's College. He has coached several NFL players, including former first-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson and third-round pick Terrance Knighton at Temple, and fifth-round pick Caraun Reid and seventh-rounder Mike Catapano at Princeton.
During his tenure at Princeton, Backus coached four All-Ivy linebackers. His first defense moved from seventh in 2010 to third in 2011 in rushing defense. In 2012, the Tigers ranked second in the Ivy League in sacks and third in scoring defense (17th nationally at 19.9 ppg.). Among the players he tutored was Bushnell Cup Award winner Catapano and fellow All-America defensive lineman Reid, the Bushnell Cup runner-up in 2011. His 2012 defense ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing defense, scoring defense, sacks and red zone defense while sitting in the top 30 in tackles for loss.
While at Temple, he was part of the 2009 team that went 10-3 and earned the school's first bowl bid in 30 years. That squad ranked in the top 20 nationally in forced fumbles, passes defended, rushing touchdowns allowed, opponents rushing yards per carry, sacks, turnovers and rushing defense. He coached three All-MAC linebackers (Alex Joseph, Amara Kamara and Peanut Joseph) and held opponents to 20 points or less five times. In his first season at Temple, Backus was part of a defense that led the MAC in five defensive statistical categories, including red zone defense; that statistic also ranked first nationally.
In 2006, as Bucknell’s defensive coordinator, he was instrumental in the biggest turnaround in Division I-AA, as the Bison improved to 6-5 after posting a 1-10 record in 2005. He also helped develop multiple all-conference players at Bucknell, including defensive lineman Sean Conover, who spent three seasons with the Tennessee Titans and now plays with the Detroit Lions.
Prior to Bucknell, Backus was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Maine from 1999 to 2001, helping the team to an Atlantic 10 title and top 10 national ranking 2001. The Saugatuck, Conn., native began his collegiate coaching career at King's College (strength and conditioning intern, 1994), before moving on to Springfield College (graduate assistant, 1995), Rutgers (graduate assistant, 1996-97), and Pace (secondary/kickoff coverage, 1998).
Playing Career
Backus is a 1993 graduate of Springfield College and earned his Master's in Physical Education there in 1998. He was a two-year letter winner at his alma mater while playing inside linebacker.
Personal
Backus and wife Amanda have two sons, Garrett and Gavin, and a daughter, Grace.
* Updated June 2024
