Jourdan McNeill Named Eagles Recruiting Coordinator and Running Backs Coach

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University–Texarkana has announced the hiring of Jourdan McNeill as the Eagles' Recruiting Coordinator and Running Backs Coach, adding a proven developer of talent and dynamic recruiter with deep ties to the program's leadership. 

McNeill arrives in Texarkana from UTEP, where he spent the 2024 season as the running backs coach and offensive run game coordinator. Under his direction, the Miners rushed for 1,449 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking fifth in Conference USA while averaging more than 120 rushing yards per game. UTEP posted season-best performances of 211 rushing yards against FIU, 120 yards versus Kennesaw State, and 121 yards at New Mexico State, winning all three contests. 

UTEP running back Jevon Jackson emerged as one of the league's top rushers under McNeill's guidance, leading the team with 754 rushing yards and six total touchdowns while ranking sixth in Conference USA. Jackson recorded multiple 100-yard performances, including a 148-yard outing against FIU, and capped the season with two rushing touchdowns in a rivalry win over New Mexico State. Redshirt freshman Ezell Jolly also flourished, posting his first career 100-yard game with 119 yards at WKU and scoring his first collegiate touchdown in the Sun Bowl.

 Before his time at UTEP, McNeill spent three seasons (2021–23) at Austin Peay, serving as running backs coach under head coach Scotty Walden. The Governors enjoyed a historic 2023 campaign, finishing 9–3 overall and 6–0 in conference play, winning the United Athletic Conference title and earning an FCS playoff berth. That season, Austin Peay rushed for 1,832 yards and 18 touchdowns, led by All-UAC First Team selection Jevon Jackson, who totaled 1,373 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while ranking among the national leaders in rushing yards per game.

McNeill began his coaching career at Belhaven University (2018–20), where he played a key role in transforming the Blazers' rushing attack. Under his guidance, Belhaven increased its rushing output each season, jumping from 57.7 yards per game prior to his arrival to 176.0 yards per contest by 2019. 

A former standout at East Texas Baptist University, McNeill was a four-year letterwinner, three-time all-conference selection, and recipient of the program's first-ever Iron Tiger Award. He was a member of the 2015 ETBU Tigers team that captured the ASC Championship under Eargle, establishing a professional connection that would later be renewed during McNeill's coaching tenure at UTEP. 

In addition to his coaching experience, McNeill brings a background in strength and conditioning, having served as an intern and powerlifting judge at ETBU.

McNeill earned his Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Management from ETBU in 2017 and a Master of Science in Leadership from Belhaven University in 2020. A native of Dallas, Texas, he now joins Texas A&M University–Texarkana tasked with building the Eagles' recruiting foundation while developing a physical, productive rushing attack.