UNC announces Randy Jordan hire

Chapel Hill, N.C. - Randy Jordan, a 1993 University of North Carolina graduate, has been named the Tar Heels' running backs coach, head coach Larry Fedora announced Friday. Most recently Jordan tutored the running backs at Texas A&M for four seasons.

"I'm excited to bring Randy back to Chapel Hill," said Fedora. "He has a tremendous background both as a player in the NFL and as a college assistant at Nebraska and Texas A&M. Randy is an enthusiastic coach who enjoys teaching and recruiting. He is a good fit for our coaching staff."

A nine-year NFL running back, Jordan began his coaching career with the Oakland Raiders as a special teams assistant midway through the 2003 season. He then coached four years at Nebraska under head coach Bill Callahan.

Jordan was on the Aggie sideline when they knocked off Northwestern, 33-22, in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. Reserve running back Ben Malena rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns while filling in for Cyrus Gray, a second-team All-Big 12 selection, who was out with a shoulder injury. Under Jordan's tutelage, Gray was a three-time All-Big 12 performer and ranks third in conference history in all-purpose yards.

In 2011, Texas A&M ranked 24th in the country in with 199.2 rushing yards per game. The Aggies appeared in bowl games in each of the last three seasons Jordan was at Texas A&M, including the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2011, the Cotton Bowl vs. LSU in 2010 and the Independence Bowl vs. Georgia in 2010.

Jordan came to Aggieland from Lincoln where he served as the running backs coach for the Cornhuskers since 2004. Jordan's creativity andenthusiasm shaped the I-back position into a multiple-threat weapon. He coached two 1,000-yard rushers in Marlon Lucky in 2007 and Cody Ross in 2004.

Jordan oversaw a Nebraska committee of I-backs in 2006 that produced nearly 2,400 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns in the powerful West Coast Offense. An improved effort on the ground helped NU move from 107th in 2005 to 23rd nationally in rushing offense in 2006.

Brandon Jackson led the way with 989 rushing yards with seven touchdowns before leaving for the NFL Draft following his junior season. Jackson was a second-round pick by the Green Bay Packers, and was the highest drafted I-back from Nebraska since 1996.

Jordan's guidance helped Cory Ross join an elite group in 2004, as Ross became the 20th Husker to record 1,000 rushing yards in a season when he ranked fifth in the conference and 23rd nationally with 100.2 rushing yards per game. As a group, Nebraska's backs averaged 176.8 yards per contest in the first season of the West Coast Offense.

Jordan played nine years in the NFL as a running back,playing in 122 career games from 1993 through 2002. He began his career with the Los Angeles Raiders before joining the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995 and playing three seasons. Jordan holds the distinction of scoring thevery first touchdown for the Jacksonville club, a 71-yard reception againstCincinnati in 1995.

After the 1997 season, Jordan rejoined the Raiders' organization where he played five more seasons. In 1998, Jordan rushed for 159 yards for the Raiders. He had a career-high 213 yards rushing and three touchdowns in helping the Raiders reach the AFC Championship Game in 2000. He also caught 27 passes for 299 yards and a touchdown that same season.

Jordan finished his career with 574 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, while making 58 catches for 596 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan was also a standout special teams player. He was the special teams captain for the 2002 Oakland Raider squad that reached Super Bowl XXXVII. He finished his career with 801 yards on 38 career kick returns, including a season best of 553 yards on 26 returns for Jacksonville in 1996.

Jordan recorded 64 career tackles on special teams, including a career-best 14 in 1999. He was the recipient of the NFL Unsung Hero Award and the Ed Block Courage Award in 2001.

Jordan played for the University of North Carolina and head coach Mack Brown from 1989 to 1992. He earned three letters for the Tar Heels rushing for 1,134 yards and nine touchdowns in his career, including 618 yards and seven touchdowns in 1991.

Jordan earned his degree in speech communication from North Carolina in 1993. He was born in Manson, North Carolina. Jordan and his wife, Romonda, have a daughter, Raven, and two sons, Jalen and Justin.