University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Staff Directory
Joe Bolden
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Joe Bolden was promoted to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach under coach Blake Anderson in December, 2025.
Bolden was hired as the school's Special Teams Coordinator/Nickels Coach at Southern Miss in January of 2025. In his first year with the program, Bolden oversaw a special teams squad which did not allow a blocked kick or punt the entire season, while his squad blocked a pair of kicks during the year. The Golden Eagles also finished third in the Sun Belt in both kickoff returns (22.50) and punt returns (11.47). Southern Miss did not miss an extra point, making all 46 attempts. The Golden Eagle defense also forced 29 turnovers, which included 23 interceptions on the year.
Bolden arrived at Southern Miss after working two seasons at Tulsa, coaching the JACKS position and serving as special teams coordinator. He added the responsibility of co-defensive run game coordinator during his second season.
Last fall, his kick return unit ranked No. 2 in average return yards at 28.44 per attempt. Bolden also coached first-team all-conference and second-team HERO Sports Group of Five All-American Ben Kopenski at the JACK position in 2023. Tulsa’s special teams units ranked No. 25 nationally for punt returns and No. 43 for kick returns.
Bolden came to Tulsa following one season as the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Nevada. In his one year, the Wolfpack ranked No. 36 nationally for blocked kicks and No. 40 for kick return defense in 2022.
Before his stint at Nevada, Bolden spent two seasons (2020-21) at Ohio State as a defensive quality control coach. In those two years, the Buckeyes played in the CFP championship game and the Rose Bowl.
Bolden began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Michigan, in 2016, before a brief stop at Florida Atlantic. He spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Washington State. In 2019, Bolden served as the special teams quality control analyst at Southern Cal.
He was a four-year letterwinner (2012-15) and three-year starter at Michigan, where he finished his career with 270 tackles and 18.5 tackles for loss from his linebacker position. He captained the 2015 Wolverine team as a senior and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as well.
Bolden led the Wolverines with 83 tackles his senior season.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bolden graduated from Michigan in 2015 with a degree in sports management.
Bolden and his wife, Kristy, have four children: Bodie, Blakely, Blaire and Barrett.
Bolden was hired as the school's Special Teams Coordinator/Nickels Coach at Southern Miss in January of 2025. In his first year with the program, Bolden oversaw a special teams squad which did not allow a blocked kick or punt the entire season, while his squad blocked a pair of kicks during the year. The Golden Eagles also finished third in the Sun Belt in both kickoff returns (22.50) and punt returns (11.47). Southern Miss did not miss an extra point, making all 46 attempts. The Golden Eagle defense also forced 29 turnovers, which included 23 interceptions on the year.
Bolden arrived at Southern Miss after working two seasons at Tulsa, coaching the JACKS position and serving as special teams coordinator. He added the responsibility of co-defensive run game coordinator during his second season.
Last fall, his kick return unit ranked No. 2 in average return yards at 28.44 per attempt. Bolden also coached first-team all-conference and second-team HERO Sports Group of Five All-American Ben Kopenski at the JACK position in 2023. Tulsa’s special teams units ranked No. 25 nationally for punt returns and No. 43 for kick returns.
Bolden came to Tulsa following one season as the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Nevada. In his one year, the Wolfpack ranked No. 36 nationally for blocked kicks and No. 40 for kick return defense in 2022.
Before his stint at Nevada, Bolden spent two seasons (2020-21) at Ohio State as a defensive quality control coach. In those two years, the Buckeyes played in the CFP championship game and the Rose Bowl.
Bolden began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Michigan, in 2016, before a brief stop at Florida Atlantic. He spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Washington State. In 2019, Bolden served as the special teams quality control analyst at Southern Cal.
He was a four-year letterwinner (2012-15) and three-year starter at Michigan, where he finished his career with 270 tackles and 18.5 tackles for loss from his linebacker position. He captained the 2015 Wolverine team as a senior and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as well.
Bolden led the Wolverines with 83 tackles his senior season.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bolden graduated from Michigan in 2015 with a degree in sports management.
Bolden and his wife, Kristy, have four children: Bodie, Blakely, Blaire and Barrett.
Southern Miss vs. Louisiana - Full Game Hightlights
Friday, December 19
Blake Anderson Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 15
2025 Bowl Practice Press Conference
Wednesday, December 10
Full Highlights - Southern Miss vs. Grambling State
Tuesday, December 09
