Bryant Haines - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Bryant Haines

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Email:
hainesbt@jmu.edu
Phone:
540-568-6517

Bryant Haines, who was hired on Dec. 17, 2018, serves as the program’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He was promoted from co-defensive coordinator after his third season with the Dukes and ahead of the 2022 campaign.

In each of his four seasons, the Dukes have ranked top 10 nationally in both the FCS and FBS in total defense. It was also top 10 in the FCS in scoring defense while ranking top 25 in the program’s first FBS season in 2022.

This past season, which was JMU’s first as a member of the Sun Belt Conference and in the FBS, the Dukes remained as one of the country’s best defenses, as they were top 10 in seven categories and top 25 in 10 total areas.

JMU was second nationally in rushing defense (79.5), tackles for loss per game (8.6) and first downs allowed per contest (13.82). It was also fourth in sacks per game (3.45), fifth in total defense (289.5), sixth in third-down defense (.284) and seventh in fumble recoveries (13). The Dukes were also 14th in both takeaways (24) and pick-sixes (2) and 23rd in scoring defense (20.9).

Seven defenders were named to the 2022 All-Sun Belt Team, highlighted by defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu, who was a Pro Football Network Honorable Mention All-America. Both of his first-year starting linebackers were named All-Sun Belt, with Taurus Jones earning Third Team honors and Jailin Walker taking Honorable Mention status.

Walker accounted for both of the team’s defensive touchdowns, as his unit collectively tallied 199 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, nine breakups, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
In JMU’s final FCS season in 2021, his linebacking corps also shined, with Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey and Kelvin Azanama combining for 218 total tackles. Tucker-Dorsey was named to three All-America teams, highlighted by being a HERO Sports Second Team All-American. In addition to his First Team All-CAA honor, Azanama joined him as a Third Team selection. The position group tallied 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
JMU’s defense ranked top-10 nationally in 10 separate categories, which included a #1 ranking in both turnover margin (+1.36) and turnovers forced (31). The Dukes were second in tackles for loss (8.2), third in fumble recoveries (13), fourth in interceptions (18) and fifth on third down (27.2%). They were also seventh in scoring defense (15.4), eighth in both total defense (275.2) and rushing defense (89.0) and 10th in pass efficiency defense (111.86).
In year two, which was JMU’s only spring football season, he guided linebackers Azanama and Tucker-Dorsey to All-CAA accolades. The defense ranked third in the FCS in rush defense (72.4) and interceptions (12) while ranking fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (100.74) and eighth in scoring defense (16.5).
In his first season at JMU, Haines mentored a pair of linebackers to all-conference honors in Dimitri Holloway and Landan Word. Holloway would later earn spots on three All-America teams, including Second Team honors from both the Associated Press and HERO Sports. His position group combined for 28 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries in the 2019 national runner-up season.
Haines came to JMU following two seasons at Elon, where he also led the Phoenix’s linebacking corps. This is the third school Haines has been under Curt Cignetti, as he also coached on his staff at Indiana (Pa.).

He mentored Warren Messer to back-to-back seasons on the All-CAA First Team, which included him earning All-America accolades in both seasons. Messer ranked fourth in the CAA with 8.5 tackles per game and fifth in interception return yards, at 86, during his senior campaign. Bryant also coached Matt Baker to Third Team All-CAA status in 2018 after he ranked tied for seventh in the conference with 7.5 sacks.

Prior to Elon, Haines spent the 2016 season as the linebackers coach at UC Davis where he helped Nas Anesi to Second Team All-Big Sky honors.

Before UC Davis, Haines was on Cignetti’s staff at IUP for two seasons (2014-15). During his time there, he helped the Crimson Hawks lead the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference in scoring defense, total defense, third-down defense and red-zone defense in 2015. IUP was fourth among all Division II teams in rushing defense in 2014 and 13th nationally in 2015.

Prior to joining Cignetti the first time, he worked with the Ohio State linebackers in 2013, a year in which the Buckeyes finished with an undefeated 12-0 record in the regular season. He also had stops at Indiana (2012), Adrian College (2010-11) and Manchester College (2009).

Haines was a linebacker at Ball State, where he was one of the nation’s top defenders. He earned College Football News Second Team Freshman All-America honors in 2005 and was later named to the to the All-Mid American Conference Team and the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award in 2008, which is given annually to the top linebacker in the FBS.

He is a 2009 graduate from BSU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies.