James Madison University Athletics

Eddie Whitley Jr. was hired on Feb. 4, 2020, as an assistant coach with the James Madison University program, where he works primarily with the rovers. He began his JMU career as the safeties coach before transitioning to rovers prior to the 2021 season.
 
In his first three seasons, JMU’s defense has ranked as one of the nation’s best both at the FCS and FBS levels. That includes ranking top 10 nationally in total defense in all three and in scoring seasons over his first two campaigns.

This past season, his rovers group helped JMU rank second in the FBS in first-down defense (13.82), fifth in total defense (289.5), sixth in third-down defense (.284) and 23rd in scoring defense (20.9). His top rover, Chris Chukwuneke had a hand in six tackles for loss, one breakup and a fumble recovery while Jarius Reimonenq added a TFL and a pair of breakups in the secondary.
 
In 2021 and his first season working with the rovers, JMU led the country in turnover margin (1.36), as his group accrued five of the team’s 31 takeaways. The Dukes were also seventh in scoring defense (15.4), eighth in total defense (275.2) and 21st against the pass (186.2). Chris Chukwuneke led the group with 60 tackles, 5.0 TFL and three fumble recoveries, while Hampton had an interception and blocked kick.
 
During his first year in the spring 2020-21 season, JMU ranked fifth in total defense (243.4), eighth in scoring defense (16.5) and 18th in passing defense (171.0). Safeties MJ Hampton and Que Reid were the third and fourth-leading tacklers on the team with a combined 80 stops. Hampton was voted First Team All-CAA after adding a JMU second-best 6.5 tackles for loss, while Reid was second for the Dukes with a pair of interceptions.
 
Whitley came to JMU after spending three seasons at nearby Bridgewater College, where he was the secondary coach and pass defense coordinator from 2017-19.

His time with the Eagles was highlighted by their 2019 season, in which they finished 10-1, won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Football Championship for the first time since 2005.
 
BC’s defense ranked ninth in Division III and led the ODAC in scoring defense (13.4). It ranked 12th in pass efficiency defense (100.25), which was an improvement of 118 spots from the year prior. The Eagles were also 19th in turnover margin (+1.09) and 22nd in total defense (281.8). He coached three players to all-conference status in safety Matt Dang and cornerbacks Chase Rosenthal and Luke Barnum. Both Dang and Rosenthal also earned all-region honors.
 
In his second year in 2018, Bridgewater finished 6-4 and he mentored Dang and cornerback Davonta Womack to All-ODAC honors. His first season also saw cornerbacks Isaac Evans and Josh Brooks earn all-conference laurels.
 
While at BC, Whitley worked with the Washington Redskins during OTAs in 2018 as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, working with his former safeties coach at Virginia Tech, Torrian Gray.
 
Prior to his coaching career, Whitley spent time with five different NFL franchises, originally being signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent out of college. He also had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Whitley also played one season in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts.
 
Whitley is a 2012 graduate of Virginia Tech, where he was an All-ACC performer and captain for the Hokies. He was a Second Team All-ACC honoree as a senior in 2011. He played in 54 games during his career (2008-11) and was part of VT’s 2008 and 2010 ACC championship teams.

Whitley is married to the former Breana Wagner, and he three children: Aliyah, Liam and Roman.