Marcus Hall-Oliver - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Marcus Hall-Oliver

Title:
Safeties/Recruiting Coordinator
Email:
hallolme@jmu.edu
Phone:
540-568-6517

Marcus Hall-Oliver was hired on Feb. 10, 2020, as an assistant coach with the James Madison University program, starting as defensive tackles coach while transitioning to safeties coach in his second season. He also added the title of recruiting coordinator following the 2021 campaign.

In his three seasons, JMU’s defense has ranked as one of the best in both in the FCS and FBS.

This past year and JMU’s first in the Sun Belt Conference, his safeties unit helped the defense rank second nationally in first-down defense (13.82), fifth in total defense (289.5), sixth in third-down defense (.284), seventh in fumble recoveries (13), 14th in takeaways (24) and 23rd in scoring defense (20.9).

He coached Sam Kidd to Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt and Second Team All-State accolades, and three of his safeties had at least 30 tackles. His unit combined for nine pass breakups, two interceptions one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

In 2021, JMU’s defense ranked top-10 nationally in 10 different categories, which included leading the FCS in turnover margin (+1.36) and turnovers forced (31). The Dukes ranked fourth nationally in interceptions (18), fifth on third down (27.2%), seventh in scoring defense (15.4) and eighth in total defense (275.2).

In his first season, while working with the defensive tackles, JMU was third in the country against the run (72.4) while also ranking fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (100.74) and eighth in scoring defense (16.5). James Carpenter was voted Virginia Sports Information Directors Defensive Rookie of the Year after earning a starting role after originally joining the program as a walk-on.

Hall-Oliver came to JMU after spending the 2019 season at Indiana out of the Big Ten Conference, where he was a defensive graduate assistant with the defensive line. In his one season with the Hoosiers, the team finished 8-5 and reached the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Prior to his stop in Bloomington, Hall-Oliver was defensive line coach and defensive run-game coordinator for the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Division II University of Sioux Falls. During his time there, he helped the Cougars to a 16-7 record, reaching the NCAA Division II Central Region title game in 2017. The 2017 team ranked second nationally in both scoring defense (12.5) and total defense (244.3), third in rushing defense (67.8) and ninth in sacks (3.33).

Hall-Oliver also spent two seasons at Eastern Michigan (2015, 2016) as a defensive graduate assistant. He worked primarily with defensive line and linebackers while in Ypsilanti, helping the Eagles become bowl eligible for the first time 21 years in 2016, reaching the Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl.

He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Division II powerhouse Minnesota State in Mankato. After finishing his playing career, he was a student coach in 2013 with the linebackers before being elevated to a graduate assistant with the cornerbacks in 2014. Hall-Oliver and the Mavericks reached the Division II national championship game in 2014, going 14-1 on the year.

A two-year letterwinner at MSU, Hall-Oliver was a two-time First Team All-NSIC selection in 2011 and 2012 and Honorable Mention All-American in his senior season. He helped the Mavericks reach the 2012 national semifinals and led the team in tackles in 2011 at the linebacker position. He began his collegiate career at Nebraska-Omaha, where he started the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Hall-Oliver is a 2014 graduate of Minnesota State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management. He also gained his master’s in sports management from Eastern Michigan in 2016.