Completed Event: Football versus Weber State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 45, to, 10
FB
Final
James Madison
45
vs Weber State
10
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Football
Trott, Bob
Bob Trott
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
- Email:
- trottrf@jmu.edu
- Phone:
- 540-568-6517
- Physical Address:
- Plecker APC 215 (220 Champions Dr.) / MSC 2201
A coaching veteran of four decades, Bob Trott was hired in January 2016 as James Madison University's defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Trott brought 40 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience to Harrisonburg, which included nine years in the National Football League, working under the likes of Bill Parcells and Romeo Crennel, and 17 years at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, where he has been associated with Al Groh, Kevin Steele, Fred Goldsmith and Ken Hatfield.
Since his hiring has turned JMU into one of the best defenses in the country, as the 2017 season saw JMU rank in the top 10 nationally in eight categories, which included leading the FCS in scoring defense, at 11.1 points per game, in interceptions, at 31, and at pass efficiency defense, with an 83.12 rating.
JMU ranked third nationally in total defense (252.0) and turnover margin (+1.47), as well as seventh in rushing defense (90.5) and 10th in both passing defense (161.5) and third-down defense (30.1%). Following the year, Trott was named FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Five defenders were named All-Americans, which included Andrew Ankrah, who was named the FCS ADA Defensive Player of the Year and a top-three finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Joining Ankrah in the All-America ranks were Rashad Robinson, Jordan Brown, Raven Greene and Kyre Hawkins. Additionally, nine defensive players earned All-CAA honors, with six making the All-CAA First Team.
Trott’s safeties group turned in arguably one of the best in school history, as Greene and Brown concluded their careers ranking first and second at JMU in career interceptions. Brown led the country in interceptions in 2017, with nine, while Greene accounted for five picks. The safeties unit also produced 13 pass breakups for a total of 27 passes defended.
In his first year leading the defense at JMU, Trott led a drastic turnaround from previous years. The Dukes ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense (21.2) and 30th in total defense (344.3). JMU allowed 7.5 fewer points per game last season and nearly 60 yards fewer per outing from 2015 to 2016. JMU forced seven more turnovers from the season before and nearly doubled its interception production, going from 11 in 2015 to a FCS-best 21 in 2016.
Four JMU defenders were honored on All-Colonial Athletic Association teams, including first-picks Raven Green, Taylor Reynolds and Andrew Ankrah. Greene and Reynolds both went on to earn All-America status.
Trott’s safeties unit accounted for 10 of the team’s 21 interceptions, with Greene leading the Dukes with six picks. Returning safety Jordan Brown also made two interceptions in 2016. The safeties also produced 14 pass breakups, with Greene and Brown each tallying seven.
Prior to his hiring at JMU, Trott spent the previous six seasons (2010-15) at Colonial Athletic Association rival Richmond, where he served the same role with the Spiders. In his final two seasons with the program, he helped UR to the NCAA FCS playoffs, including a berth in the 2015 semifinals. Over his last four seasons coordinating the Richmond defense, the Spiders led or tied for the league lead in interceptions.
In 2015, Trott’s defense led the nation in interceptions (22) and ranked seventh nationally in total takeaways (30). He coached defensive back David Jones to All-America honors after he was one of the nation’s top defensive players with 11 takeaways, including nine interceptions, which ranked third nationally. Four of Richmond’s defensive players were named to All-CAA teams, including three on the First Team.
In 2014, Trott oversaw a senior-laden defense that ranked 20th in interceptions (15) and 33rd nationally in total defense (352.3). In total, five Spiders on the defensive side of the ball were named all-conference, including safety Reggie Barnette. Prior to the start of the 2014 season, Trott was selected as an assistant head coach on the U.S. U-19 National Team, which won the IFAF World Championships in Kuwait against Canada, 40-17.
The 2013 season saw the Spiders lead the CAA in interceptions (17) as five defenders were recognized as All-CAA performers. Richmond led the country in interceptions (24) and turnover margin (+24) in 2012 en route to five defensive players earning All-CAA accolades. Defensive back Cooper Tayler was tabbed an All-American by six different media outlets.
In his first year with the team, Trott’s defense ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense, while Eric McBride was named CAA co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Spider defense had a pair of players move on to the NFL after the season as Justin Rogers was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and Martin Parker signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Giants.
Before UR, Trott spent one season at Virginia (2009) as linebackers coach. He mentored Steve Greer, one of the ACC’s leading tacklers (7.7), and the UVa defense ranked sixth in the conference and 52nd nationally in total defense (358.4).
Prior to his one-year stint in Charlottesville, Trott spent four years (2005-08) on Romeo Crennel’s Cleveland Browns staff as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach. His coaching resume also includes NFL stops with the New England Patriots (1993-95), where he coached under Bill Parcells and advanced to the 1994 NFL playoffs, and the New York Giants (1991-92).
Trott has served as a defensive coordinator at five other institutions, including Louisiana Monroe (2003-04), Baylor (2002), Duke (1996-01), Clemson (1990) and Arkansas (1984-89). He was also a defensive assistant at Air Force (1978-83) and a graduate assistant at his alma mater, North Carolina (1976-77). During his career, he has been a part of 12 bowl games, both as a player and coach.
While at Arkansas, he helped the Razorbacks win Southwest Conference titles in back-to-back seasons (1988-89). In his lone season at Clemson, the Tigers led the nation in total defense (217.0).
Trott was a three-year letterwinner at safety for the Tar Heels (1973-75). A native of Kannapolis, N.C., he was captain at UNC as a senior. He was also named to the ACC All-Academic Team in 1975. He graduated from North Carolina in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business and was awarded his master’s in education in 1982.
Trott and his wife, Barbara, have three children, Amanda, Nathan and Brittany.
Trott Coaching History:
Trott brought 40 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience to Harrisonburg, which included nine years in the National Football League, working under the likes of Bill Parcells and Romeo Crennel, and 17 years at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, where he has been associated with Al Groh, Kevin Steele, Fred Goldsmith and Ken Hatfield.
Since his hiring has turned JMU into one of the best defenses in the country, as the 2017 season saw JMU rank in the top 10 nationally in eight categories, which included leading the FCS in scoring defense, at 11.1 points per game, in interceptions, at 31, and at pass efficiency defense, with an 83.12 rating.
JMU ranked third nationally in total defense (252.0) and turnover margin (+1.47), as well as seventh in rushing defense (90.5) and 10th in both passing defense (161.5) and third-down defense (30.1%). Following the year, Trott was named FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Five defenders were named All-Americans, which included Andrew Ankrah, who was named the FCS ADA Defensive Player of the Year and a top-three finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Joining Ankrah in the All-America ranks were Rashad Robinson, Jordan Brown, Raven Greene and Kyre Hawkins. Additionally, nine defensive players earned All-CAA honors, with six making the All-CAA First Team.
Trott’s safeties group turned in arguably one of the best in school history, as Greene and Brown concluded their careers ranking first and second at JMU in career interceptions. Brown led the country in interceptions in 2017, with nine, while Greene accounted for five picks. The safeties unit also produced 13 pass breakups for a total of 27 passes defended.
In his first year leading the defense at JMU, Trott led a drastic turnaround from previous years. The Dukes ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense (21.2) and 30th in total defense (344.3). JMU allowed 7.5 fewer points per game last season and nearly 60 yards fewer per outing from 2015 to 2016. JMU forced seven more turnovers from the season before and nearly doubled its interception production, going from 11 in 2015 to a FCS-best 21 in 2016.
Four JMU defenders were honored on All-Colonial Athletic Association teams, including first-picks Raven Green, Taylor Reynolds and Andrew Ankrah. Greene and Reynolds both went on to earn All-America status.
Trott’s safeties unit accounted for 10 of the team’s 21 interceptions, with Greene leading the Dukes with six picks. Returning safety Jordan Brown also made two interceptions in 2016. The safeties also produced 14 pass breakups, with Greene and Brown each tallying seven.
Prior to his hiring at JMU, Trott spent the previous six seasons (2010-15) at Colonial Athletic Association rival Richmond, where he served the same role with the Spiders. In his final two seasons with the program, he helped UR to the NCAA FCS playoffs, including a berth in the 2015 semifinals. Over his last four seasons coordinating the Richmond defense, the Spiders led or tied for the league lead in interceptions.
In 2015, Trott’s defense led the nation in interceptions (22) and ranked seventh nationally in total takeaways (30). He coached defensive back David Jones to All-America honors after he was one of the nation’s top defensive players with 11 takeaways, including nine interceptions, which ranked third nationally. Four of Richmond’s defensive players were named to All-CAA teams, including three on the First Team.
In 2014, Trott oversaw a senior-laden defense that ranked 20th in interceptions (15) and 33rd nationally in total defense (352.3). In total, five Spiders on the defensive side of the ball were named all-conference, including safety Reggie Barnette. Prior to the start of the 2014 season, Trott was selected as an assistant head coach on the U.S. U-19 National Team, which won the IFAF World Championships in Kuwait against Canada, 40-17.
The 2013 season saw the Spiders lead the CAA in interceptions (17) as five defenders were recognized as All-CAA performers. Richmond led the country in interceptions (24) and turnover margin (+24) in 2012 en route to five defensive players earning All-CAA accolades. Defensive back Cooper Tayler was tabbed an All-American by six different media outlets.
In his first year with the team, Trott’s defense ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense, while Eric McBride was named CAA co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Spider defense had a pair of players move on to the NFL after the season as Justin Rogers was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and Martin Parker signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Giants.
Before UR, Trott spent one season at Virginia (2009) as linebackers coach. He mentored Steve Greer, one of the ACC’s leading tacklers (7.7), and the UVa defense ranked sixth in the conference and 52nd nationally in total defense (358.4).
Prior to his one-year stint in Charlottesville, Trott spent four years (2005-08) on Romeo Crennel’s Cleveland Browns staff as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach. His coaching resume also includes NFL stops with the New England Patriots (1993-95), where he coached under Bill Parcells and advanced to the 1994 NFL playoffs, and the New York Giants (1991-92).
Trott has served as a defensive coordinator at five other institutions, including Louisiana Monroe (2003-04), Baylor (2002), Duke (1996-01), Clemson (1990) and Arkansas (1984-89). He was also a defensive assistant at Air Force (1978-83) and a graduate assistant at his alma mater, North Carolina (1976-77). During his career, he has been a part of 12 bowl games, both as a player and coach.
While at Arkansas, he helped the Razorbacks win Southwest Conference titles in back-to-back seasons (1988-89). In his lone season at Clemson, the Tigers led the nation in total defense (217.0).
Trott was a three-year letterwinner at safety for the Tar Heels (1973-75). A native of Kannapolis, N.C., he was captain at UNC as a senior. He was also named to the ACC All-Academic Team in 1975. He graduated from North Carolina in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business and was awarded his master’s in education in 1982.
Trott and his wife, Barbara, have three children, Amanda, Nathan and Brittany.
Trott Coaching History:
| Years | School | Positions |
| 2016-pres. | James Madison | Defensive Coordinator, Safeties |
| 2010-15 | Richmond | Defensive Coordinator, Safeties |
| 2009 | Virginia | Linebackers |
| 2005-08 | Cleveland Browns | Defensive Assistant, Linebackers |
| 2003-04 | UL Monroe | Defensive Coordinator, Safeties |
| 2002 | Baylor | Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs |
| 1996-01 | Duke | Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs |
| 1993-95 | New England Patriots | Defensive Backs |
| 1991-92 | New York Giants | Defensive Assistant |
| 1990 | Clemson | Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs |
| 1984-89 | Arkansas | Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs |
| 1978-83 | Air Force | Defensive Ends, Defensive Backs |
| 1976-77 | North Carolina | Graduate Assistant |
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