Football
Curtis, Jack
Jack Curtis
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach
- Email:
- jcurtis4@tulane.edu
- Hometown:
- Birmingham, Ala.
J
Jack Curtis is in fifth season as the defensive coordinator coach for the Green Wave in 2020. The 2019 season also will mark his second coaching the outside linebackers.
Curtis has made an immediate impact on the Green Wave's defensive unit since stepping on campus in 2016, as Tulane defensive players have collected nine all-conference honors and four have been selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2019, Tulane held opponents to 220.7 passing yards and 156.3 rushing yards per game. Following the season defensive lineman Patrick Johnson, cornerback Thakarius Keyes and safety P.J. Hall earned All-AAC honors.
Curtis' 2018 defensive unit proved to be one of the best in the American Athletic Conference, holding opponents to 406.8 yards per games, which ranked third in the league.
Tulane's 2018 trademark on defense proved to be its pass rushing, as it logged 41 sacks, averaging just over three sacks per game. The Green Wave's 3.15 sacks per game led The American and ranked eighth nationally. The 41 sacks ranked third in program history for a single season.
Curtis' 2018 defensive unit also ranked in the Top 50 in third down conversion percentage defense (20th), fourth down conversion percentage defense (48th), redzone defense (24th), team sacks (eighth) and tackles for loss (46th) among teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Following the regular season, linebacker Zachery Harris, defensive lineman Patrick Johnson, cornerback Donnie Lewis Jr. and safety Roderic Teamer Jr. each earned All-AAC honors.
In April 2019, Lewis was selected in the seventh round (221 overall) by the Cleveland Browns, while Teamer inked a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
In 2017, Curtis’ defense prided itself on being one of the toughest units in nation to score on in the red zone, as it led the American Athletic Conference in red zone defense and ranked 15th in the nation overall.
Under Curtis’ watchful eye, the Green Wave ranked fourth in the AAC in passing defense and intercepted their opponents 13 times. Tulane’s 13 interceptions ranked fifth in the American and 35th in the nation.
Six of those interceptions came from Parry Nickerson, who finished his career as one Tulane’s all-time best cornerbacks. Following his senior season, Nickerson earned First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. He also earned All-America honors from Sports Illustrated and SB Nation.
Linebacker Rae Juan Marbley and defensive back Donnie Lewis Jr. also earned All-AAC honors for their standout performances in 2017.
A pair of Curtis’ defensive players were selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Nickerson was picked by the New York Jets, and defensive lineman Ade Aruna was taken by the Minnesota Vikings.
In his first season at Tulane in 2016, the team’s defense was among the best in the FBS, ranking second in fumble recoveries with 15. The Green Wave’s 15 fumble recoveries ranked second in the country with Boston College and Wake Forest and were only one behind Minnesota’s 16.
Curtis’ first defensive unit featured two First-Team All-AAC players in defensive lineman Tanzel Smart and linebacker Nico Marley. Smart would go on to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round.
Curtis came to Tulane after spending five seasons at Georgia Southern, including his last two years under head coach Willie Fritz.
In five seasons at GSU, five Eagles - Darius Eubanks, Brent Russell, Laron Scott, Edwin Jackson, and J.J. Wilcox - worked their way on to NFL rosters and All-America accolades poured in for Dion DuBose, Russell, Scott, Roderick Tinsley and Wilcox.
Curtis helped the Eagles win a Southern Conference championship in 2011, his first year in Statesboro, another in 2012 and the 2014 Sun Belt Crown in the Eagles’ first season at the FBS level.
In Curtis’ final season at Georgia Southern, his defense was one of the nation’s best units. The Eagles led the Sun Belt in rushing defense (130.9), and ranked second and 24th nationally in total defense (338.1), second and 12th in the country in turnovers gained (27) and interceptions (17), fourth and 43rd in the nation in passing yards allowed (207.2).
Curtis’ defense played a key role in leading the Eagles to a 9-4 overall record and to a convincing 58-27 victory over Bowling Green in their first-ever bowl game in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.
Curtis came to Georgia Southern after one season as the defensive coordinator at Central Missouri. Central Missouri posted a program-best 11 wins and finished the 2010 season with a No. 5 ranking, the highest in Mules’ history.
Curtis arrived at Central Missouri following a year at Memphis and seven years at Arkansas State. During Curtis’ tenure at Arkansas State, the Red Wolves ranked in the top 30 in the country in pass defense four times and in the top 50 in total defense five times. His switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme was also key to the Red Wolves’ 2005 Sun Belt championship season and their first-ever appearance in a bowl game.
Prior to his time at Arkansas State, Curtis spent eight years on the defensive staff at Northwestern State, including the last three as defensive coordinator.
Northwestern State’s players thrived under Curtis’ direction, most notably All-American defensive backs Jermaine Jones and Tony Joe Maranto. Jones, a cornerback, was named Southland Conference Player of the Year in 1998 and Maranto was selected as 1997 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In those eight seasons, the NSU defense produced 18 All-Sun Belt honorees and two Sun Belt Defensive Players of the Year in Tyrell Johnson (2007) and Alex Carrington (2008). Curtis coached six first-team All-Americans and nine players who were selected in the NFL draft. More than a dozen of his former players signed with NFL teams.
A first-team all-state defensive back at Silver City High School in New Mexico, Curtis played three years at Evangel University before injuries cut his collegiate football career short. He began his coaching career in what would have been his senior year as a student coach for the Crusaders.
After graduation Curtis accepted a position as a graduate assistant coach at Henderson State University and earned his master’s degree in physical education in 1990. He moved to Starkville, Mississippi, where a graduate assistant coaching position at Mississippi State allowed him to begin his specialist’s degree in educational leadership and work with the Bulldogs’ coaching staff. Curtis remained as a volunteer coach from 1991 through August of 1992 and worked with the Bulldogs’ defensive backs.
Western New Mexico hired Curtis as its secondary coach in 1993. He returned to Silver City, New Mexico, and helped lead the Mustangs to a 7-3 record, the NAIA playoffs and a No. 3 NAIA final national ranking. Curtis’ defense led the nation with 29 interceptions and free safety Chris Edmond snatched 13 to lead the nation in that category.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Curtis grew up in the South before his family moved to New Mexico where he attended high school. He is married to the former Michelle Weser of Dumas, Arkansas, and they have two daughters, Carolina and Georganna.
| PROFILE Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama Wife: Michelle Children: Carolina and Georgianna EDUCATION Bachelor’s – Evangel University, 1987 Master’s of Physical Education – Henderson State, 1990 PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1984-86, Evangel University - Football COACHING EXPERIENCE 1987, Evangel University (Student) 1988, Henderson State (GA) 1989-90, Mississippi State (GA) 1991-92, Mississippi State (Volunteer) 1993, Western New Mexico (Secondary) 1994-98, Northwestern State (DB) 1999-01, Northwestern State (DC) 2002-08, Arkansas State (DC/DB) 2009, Memphis (Safeties) 2010, Central Missouri (DC) 2011-15, Georgia Southern (DC/DB) 2016-Present, Tulane (DC/DB) POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (12) 2020 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Tulane 2018 AutoNation Cure - Tulane 2015 GoDaddy.com Bowl - Georgia Southern 2012 NCAA FCS Semifinals - Georgia Southern 2011 NCAA FCS Semifinals - Georgia Southern 2010 NCAA D-II Playoffs - Central Missouri 2005 New Orleans Bowl - Arkansas State 2001 NCAA FCS Round of 16 - Northwestern State 1998 NCAA FCS Semifinals - Northwestern State 1997 NCA FCS Round of 16 - Northwestern State 1993 NAIA Playoffs Western - New Mexico State 1991 Liberty Bowl - Mississippi State |
Curtis has made an immediate impact on the Green Wave's defensive unit since stepping on campus in 2016, as Tulane defensive players have collected nine all-conference honors and four have been selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2019, Tulane held opponents to 220.7 passing yards and 156.3 rushing yards per game. Following the season defensive lineman Patrick Johnson, cornerback Thakarius Keyes and safety P.J. Hall earned All-AAC honors.
Curtis' 2018 defensive unit proved to be one of the best in the American Athletic Conference, holding opponents to 406.8 yards per games, which ranked third in the league.
Tulane's 2018 trademark on defense proved to be its pass rushing, as it logged 41 sacks, averaging just over three sacks per game. The Green Wave's 3.15 sacks per game led The American and ranked eighth nationally. The 41 sacks ranked third in program history for a single season.
Curtis' 2018 defensive unit also ranked in the Top 50 in third down conversion percentage defense (20th), fourth down conversion percentage defense (48th), redzone defense (24th), team sacks (eighth) and tackles for loss (46th) among teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Following the regular season, linebacker Zachery Harris, defensive lineman Patrick Johnson, cornerback Donnie Lewis Jr. and safety Roderic Teamer Jr. each earned All-AAC honors.
In April 2019, Lewis was selected in the seventh round (221 overall) by the Cleveland Browns, while Teamer inked a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
In 2017, Curtis’ defense prided itself on being one of the toughest units in nation to score on in the red zone, as it led the American Athletic Conference in red zone defense and ranked 15th in the nation overall.
Under Curtis’ watchful eye, the Green Wave ranked fourth in the AAC in passing defense and intercepted their opponents 13 times. Tulane’s 13 interceptions ranked fifth in the American and 35th in the nation.
Six of those interceptions came from Parry Nickerson, who finished his career as one Tulane’s all-time best cornerbacks. Following his senior season, Nickerson earned First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. He also earned All-America honors from Sports Illustrated and SB Nation.
Linebacker Rae Juan Marbley and defensive back Donnie Lewis Jr. also earned All-AAC honors for their standout performances in 2017.
A pair of Curtis’ defensive players were selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Nickerson was picked by the New York Jets, and defensive lineman Ade Aruna was taken by the Minnesota Vikings.
In his first season at Tulane in 2016, the team’s defense was among the best in the FBS, ranking second in fumble recoveries with 15. The Green Wave’s 15 fumble recoveries ranked second in the country with Boston College and Wake Forest and were only one behind Minnesota’s 16.
Curtis’ first defensive unit featured two First-Team All-AAC players in defensive lineman Tanzel Smart and linebacker Nico Marley. Smart would go on to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round.
Curtis came to Tulane after spending five seasons at Georgia Southern, including his last two years under head coach Willie Fritz.
In five seasons at GSU, five Eagles - Darius Eubanks, Brent Russell, Laron Scott, Edwin Jackson, and J.J. Wilcox - worked their way on to NFL rosters and All-America accolades poured in for Dion DuBose, Russell, Scott, Roderick Tinsley and Wilcox.
Curtis helped the Eagles win a Southern Conference championship in 2011, his first year in Statesboro, another in 2012 and the 2014 Sun Belt Crown in the Eagles’ first season at the FBS level.
In Curtis’ final season at Georgia Southern, his defense was one of the nation’s best units. The Eagles led the Sun Belt in rushing defense (130.9), and ranked second and 24th nationally in total defense (338.1), second and 12th in the country in turnovers gained (27) and interceptions (17), fourth and 43rd in the nation in passing yards allowed (207.2).
Curtis’ defense played a key role in leading the Eagles to a 9-4 overall record and to a convincing 58-27 victory over Bowling Green in their first-ever bowl game in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.
Curtis came to Georgia Southern after one season as the defensive coordinator at Central Missouri. Central Missouri posted a program-best 11 wins and finished the 2010 season with a No. 5 ranking, the highest in Mules’ history.
Curtis arrived at Central Missouri following a year at Memphis and seven years at Arkansas State. During Curtis’ tenure at Arkansas State, the Red Wolves ranked in the top 30 in the country in pass defense four times and in the top 50 in total defense five times. His switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme was also key to the Red Wolves’ 2005 Sun Belt championship season and their first-ever appearance in a bowl game.
Prior to his time at Arkansas State, Curtis spent eight years on the defensive staff at Northwestern State, including the last three as defensive coordinator.
Northwestern State’s players thrived under Curtis’ direction, most notably All-American defensive backs Jermaine Jones and Tony Joe Maranto. Jones, a cornerback, was named Southland Conference Player of the Year in 1998 and Maranto was selected as 1997 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In those eight seasons, the NSU defense produced 18 All-Sun Belt honorees and two Sun Belt Defensive Players of the Year in Tyrell Johnson (2007) and Alex Carrington (2008). Curtis coached six first-team All-Americans and nine players who were selected in the NFL draft. More than a dozen of his former players signed with NFL teams.
A first-team all-state defensive back at Silver City High School in New Mexico, Curtis played three years at Evangel University before injuries cut his collegiate football career short. He began his coaching career in what would have been his senior year as a student coach for the Crusaders.
After graduation Curtis accepted a position as a graduate assistant coach at Henderson State University and earned his master’s degree in physical education in 1990. He moved to Starkville, Mississippi, where a graduate assistant coaching position at Mississippi State allowed him to begin his specialist’s degree in educational leadership and work with the Bulldogs’ coaching staff. Curtis remained as a volunteer coach from 1991 through August of 1992 and worked with the Bulldogs’ defensive backs.
Western New Mexico hired Curtis as its secondary coach in 1993. He returned to Silver City, New Mexico, and helped lead the Mustangs to a 7-3 record, the NAIA playoffs and a No. 3 NAIA final national ranking. Curtis’ defense led the nation with 29 interceptions and free safety Chris Edmond snatched 13 to lead the nation in that category.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Curtis grew up in the South before his family moved to New Mexico where he attended high school. He is married to the former Michelle Weser of Dumas, Arkansas, and they have two daughters, Carolina and Georganna.
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