Marquel Blackwell

Marquel Blackwell (born July 29, 1979) is a former American football quarterback and the current running backs coach for the University of Mississippi.

Marquel Blackwell
Current position
TitleRunning backs coach
TeamOle Miss
ConferenceSEC
Biographical details
Born (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of South Florida
Playing career
1999–2002South Florida
2003New York Jets
2003Tampa Bay Storm
2004Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2005Montreal Alouettes
2006Alabama Steeldogs
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2006Tampa (FL) Freedom HS (OC)
2007–2008Tampa (FL) Freedom HS
2009–2011South Florida (QC)
2012Western Kentucky (RB)
2014St. Petersburg (FL) Lakewood HS (AHC/OC)
2015Florida (QCS)
2016–2017Toledo (RB)
2018West Virginia (RB)
2019Houston (co-OC/QB)
2020–2021Houston (RB)
2022Ole Miss (RB)
2023–presentTexas A&M (RB)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2013South Florida (DPD)

High school and college career

After playing for Lakewood High School and Dixie Hollins High School in Pinellas County, Florida, Blackwell was the quarterback at the University of South Florida for four seasons.[1] Blackwell became a starter three games into his redshirt freshman season and led South Florida to a 30–12 mark during the Bulls' move from Division I-AA to I-A in 2001. During his college career from 1999 to 2002, he threw for 9,108 yards and 57 touchdowns, and had 1,235 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He set most of the school's individual passing records during his time as quarterback; as of 2009, he is also the Bulls' No. 6 career rusher and No. 3 in rushing touchdowns.[1][2]

Professional career

New York Jets

Blackwell entered the 2003 NFL Draft but was not drafted. He signed with the New York Jets as a rookie free agent but only saw playing time in 1 preseason game in the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Blackwell threw for two touchdowns and 111 yards in the first half. He was the Jets' No. 2 QB in week one of the regular season (The Jets released backup Jamie Martin so the club did not have to pay his entire season salary if he was not on the roster Week 1), only to be cut again after week 1 when Martin returned.[2]

Tampa Bay Storm

Blackwell had a brief stint, but did not appear, in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Tampa Bay Storm.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2004, Blackwell signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[3]

Montreal Alouettes

In 2005, Blackwell signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[4]

Alabama Steeldogs

In 2006, Blackwell signed with the Alabama Steeldogs of the Arena Football 2 (af2), where former Dixie and USF teammate Glenn Davis served as assistant coach.[5]

Blackwell was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Coaching career

Early Coaching Career

Following his playing career Blackwell spent two years as the head coach of Freedom High School's football team after one as the offensive coordinator. In 2009 became a program assistant at the University of South Florida where he spent three years.[6] In 2012 he was the running backs coach for Western Kentucky.

Toledo

In 2016 and 2017 Blackwell worked as the running backs coach for Toledo.

West Virginia

On February 15, 2018, Blackwell was named the running backs coach at West Virginia University.[7]

Houston

Blackwell joined Dana Holgorsen at the University of Houston on January 11, 2019 as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.[8] Following the 2019 season, Blackwell was demoted to running backs coach after Houston was 78th in yards per game on offense in 2019. He remained as the running backs coach until after the 2021 season.

Ole Miss

On January 13, 2022 it was announced that Blackwell was to become the new running backs coach at Ole Miss replacing Kevin Smith.

References
  1. "Bio: Marquel Blackwell". University of South Florida. August 25, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  2. Putnam, Bob (September 7, 2003). "Jets ground Blackwell". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  3. "Rookie Invasion". buccaneers.com. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  4. "Marquel Blackwell 43-Year-Old QB Free Agent". rotowite.com. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  5. "af2 week 18 game recaps". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  6. Auman, Greg (August 6, 2009). "South Florida brings back former quarterback Marquel Blackwell as program assistant". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  7. Bailey, Vernon (February 15, 2018). "WVU football announces the hiring of Marquel Blackwell". WV Sports Rivals. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  8. "Dana Holgorsen adds 5 assistants to UH staff". January 12, 2019.
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