Football
- Title:
- Defensive Line
- Email:
- christopher.boone@usm.edu
- Phone:
- 266-5393
Chris Boone enters his third season as the Southern Miss defensive line coach. Boone, a former Golden Eagle player, returned to his alma mater (Class of 1997) as a veteran coach with over 22 years of NCAA defensive coaching experience.
Last season, his defensive line squad helped force 39 sacks. Former defensive tackle Demarrio Smith collected second-team All-Conference USA honors during the campaign.
The team sack total was ranked No. 14 among FBS schools last season as the team also finished No. 12 in defensive third-down percentage (.311) and No. 18 in rushing defense (115.8 ypg).
In his first season in 2018, Boone assisted the defense to finish No. 3 in the nation in total defense, first in 1st-down defense, sixth in rushing defense, ninth in team passing efficiency, 10th in red zone defense, and 19th in scoring defense. Boone also coached defensive lineman, Jacques Turner, to first-team All-Conference USA and LaDarius Harris to honorable mention honors in C-USA.
Prior to his return to USM in 2018, Boone served a three-year stint (2015-2017) as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and secondary coach at Murray State in Murray, Ky. Boone helped improve the Racer defense in every statistical defensive category to lead the OVC in 2017 with 28 forced turnovers to finish 8th in FCS and 23rd in pass defense. In 2016, the Racers ranked 25th in forced turnovers and in red zone defense in FCS. Boone also coached 6 players to all-OVC honors during his tenure at Murray State.
In 2014, Boone served as defensive line coach at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. The Bulldog defense ranked 13th in the nation in total defense with a record of 7-4. Boone coached Michael Pierce to the first-team All-SoCon that season.
Boone also coached at Northwestern State, where he was associate head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 2013. Boone’s Demon defense finished second in the Southland Conference in total defense and produced three All-Southland Conference players. The Demons also won six games for the first time in five years.
Prior to working at Northwestern State, Boone served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Jacksonville State in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, his Jacksonville State defensive unit led the Ohio Valley Conference in red zone defense in league play. In 2011, JSU won the OVC, going 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the league. Boone’s defense led the OVC with 17 interceptions and in league games, led the OVC in rush defense (144.9 ypg), third down conversion percentage (67 percent) and scoring defense (24.8 ppg). Five of his players made All-Conference in his two seasons at JSU.
For five seasons (2006-2010), Boone was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at University of Tennessee-Martin, reaching the FCS playoffs in 2006. During his time at UT-Martin, Boone helped the Skyhawks post their best five-season record (32-25) in school history. He coached two All-American linebackers in 2007 and 2008, and a 2006 Buck Buchanan Award nominee. Two of his defenses (2010, 2006) ranked in the top 12 nationally in total defense. His 2010 defense led the OVC in total defense, ranking 12th nationally. UTM led the OVC in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, fewest first downs allowed and third down conversion defense. The 2006 UTM team won the OVC and finished 9-3 with a No. 13 national ranking. Boone’s defense led the OVC and finished sixth in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense.
Boone was the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and secondary coach at East Central Community College for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Boone moved to Nicholls State University. The 2003 Nicholls team played for the Southland Conference championship as two of Boone’s linebackers earned All-Southland Conference honors for the second straight year. In 2002, Nicholls had its first winning season since 1996 (7-4) and finished with a No. 21 national ranking, leading the conference in scoring defense.
Other stops on Boone’s tenure include Arkansas-Monticello (2000-02), UAB (1999-2000), Wayne County High School (1998-1999), Pearl River Community College (1997-98).
Boone began his coaching career at Southern Miss in 1996 as a student assistant coach under head coach Jeff Bower. The Golden Eagles went 8-3 and won the Conference USA championship.
Boone played at Southern Miss in 1995 as a linebacker. At Jones County (Miss.) JC, he was a two- year starter and voted team captain during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Boone is a Laurel, (Miss.) native, who was a three-year starter at West Jones HS and was selected as All-County, All-Conference, and All-District during his high school career.
Boone and his wife, Coco, have three children, daughters Cameron and Casidee, and son Colton.
