Rashaan Jordan joined the Cornell football coaching staff this past spring after coaching at Wingate University for the last seven years as defensive coordinator, assistant head coach and linebacker coach. He also worked with the team’s punters. Jordan will work with the Big Red linebackers in 2008.
While at Wingate, Jordan coached defensive backs David Jones and Donald Brown, linebacker Stuart Sheppard and defensive lineman Kenwin Cummings to All-SAC seasons in 2006. Jones was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft (145th overall selection) and signed a three-year contract in June. A 2007 Hula Bowl participant, Jones was a D2Football.com and AFCA All-American his senior season.
In addition, Cummings led the SAC in tackles for loss (17.5), quarterback hurries (15) and quarterback sacks (nine) in 2006. He was 21st in the NCAA in pass sacks and 22nd in tackles for loss. He was named to the 2005 Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America first team.
The Bulldogs were third in the SAC in pass defense in 2005, allowing only 176.6 passing yards per contest. In addition, Wingate was second in pass defense efficiency (103.9). Four Bulldog defenders were named to the All-South Atlantic Conference team in 2005.
Before joining the Wingate family, Jordan was a full-time outside linebackers coach at the University of Buffalo. Jordan also coordinated Buffalo’s punt return team efforts. In addition to his coaching responsibilities at Buffalo, Jordan was the school’s primary recruiter in Maryland and Florida. He also has recruiting experience in North Carolina, Canada, Delaware and New York.
Prior to his promotion to full-time assistant coaching status, Jordan spent four years as restricted earnings assistant coach (defensive backs) at the University of Buffalo. In addition to his duties with the defensive backs, he was very involved with student-athlete eligibility concerns. Also, he was responsible for weekend recruiting hosts and served as the football staff liaison to the residence life office.
A graduate of Alfred University, Jordan is the Saxons’ single-season rushing leader. A tailback at Alfred, Jordan was an honorable mention All-American and Player of the Year in the ECAC. Also, he was first team All-Upstate New York. While an undergraduate, Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic administration at Alfred. After his playing days were completed in 1994, Jordan spent one year as running backs coach for the Saxons before moving on to UB.
Jordan and his wife Elizabeth have three sons and one daughter (Malik, Calen, Kyral and Kyra) and reside in Ithaca.
