Rod Tolen added to Quakers’ football staff as defensive backs coach
Wilmington College Head Football Coach Kevin Burke announced that Rod Tolen will be joining the Quakers’ coaching staff as the Defensive Backs coach.
The Georgia native comes to Wilmington from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.
“Rod brings tremendous energy and a positive mindset,” Burke said. “He coaches for the right reasons and will serve as an outstanding mentor for our players. We are extremely excited to have him, and his family join the Quakers football program.”
Tolen spent a season as the Defensive Backs & Special Teams Coordinator at Central State. While with the Marauders, Tolen helped guide the defense to a great season. They had the most blocked kicks in NCAA Division II with 10 and were 36th in passing yards allowed at 172.8 per game. He designed and guided weekly defensive back drills along with technical and mental development of players. In-game, he worked on defensive adjustments and managed game day substitutions and personnel.
Before Central State, Tolen worked on the coaching staff at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota for five seasons, with two as the Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach. His defensive system held opponents to 16 points per game over two seasons. Part of his role included leading defensive operations, including practice design, drills, and player evaluations.
He also worked at Fort Valley State University in Georgia for a season as the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach. Tolen guided the defensive back unit in technique, fundamentals, and confidence. He also led film study sessions, designed skill specific drills, and supported practice operations, among other duties.
Rod is from Covington, Ga. and played college football at NAIA institution Point University in West Point, Ga., where he made 129 total tackles in his two seasons as a Skyhawk.
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