Rob Harley is in his fourth season as the Red Wolves’ assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2024.
Among many highlights for the defense in 2023 was a return to bowl season for the first time since 2019. Harley's defense was 5-0 on the season when registering 14 or more pressures on the opposing quarterback and continued to be an opportunistic unit. The Red Wolves were among14 teams with four or more defensive touchdowns, scoring three of those against Texas State. A-State improved in the red zone defense by 82 spots in the national rankings improving from 91.7 percent in 2022 to 80.7 percent in 2023. A-State ranked 20th nationally with 6.8 tackles for loss per game, most for any A-State team since 2018.
Defensively, three players earned conference honors in 2023 headlined by third team all-conference selection Thurman Geathers. Geathers ranked second in the league with 42 pressures and was credited with 12 tackles for loss, most by any A-State player since 2021. Cornerback Samy Johnson and linebacker Charles Willekes were honorable mention all-conference picks.
In year two under Harley’s guidance, the A-State defense saw improvement in many statistical categories. Among the advances was the Red Wolves allowing seven fewer points per game, 100 total fewer yards per game to improve 40 spots in the national rankings, third down percentage defense improving from 41.4 percent to 36.4 percent to rank top-50 nationally, and 100 fewer yards per game of total offense. A-State showed the most improvement of any team in the nation last season, allowing 98.7 fewer rush yards per game than the previous season.
The Red Wolves proved to have a much more aggressive and opportunistic defense under Harley’s direction, posting six more turnovers gained than the previous season. The Red Wolves increased their interceptions total from six in 2020 to seven in 2021, while also recording one more fumble recovery.
A-State also showed a marked improvement on the defensive side of the ball in the second half of the season, allowing 157 fewer yards per game and 16.0 less points per contest over the last six outings in comparison to the first six. The Red Wolves also allowed 2.4 yards less per play during that stretch, which included a win over ULM that was clinched on A-State interception.
During his first season at Arkansas State, Harley helped guide three defensive players to all-conference honors, led by defensive lineman Kivon Bennett’s second-team selection. Bennett ranked among the top five players in the league in both tackles for loss and sacks.
Prior to his arrival in Jonesboro, Harley spent six seasons as linebackers coach at Pitt while also serving as the Panthers’ recruiting coordinator during his final four years.
The 2020 Pitt defense allowed just 93.5 yards rushing and 339.5 yards total offense per game to rank fifth and 24th in the nation, respectively. The Panthers also led all FBS teams in total sacks (46) and tackles for loss (111), while posting 20 turnovers gained in 11 games for the 10th most in the country. Under Harley’s direction, linebacker SirVocea Dennis was tabbed All-ACC after recording 57 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks on the year. The sophomore’s 14.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage are tied for the seventh most in the nation.
Harley’s linebackers were also highly instrumental for a Pitt defense in 2019 that yielded only 312.9 yards per contest, ranking 15th nationally. The group combined for 16.5 sacks, helping the Panthers lead the nation in that category (3.92 per game, 51 total). The linebackers’ production was even more impressive considering the starting lineup was fully retooled from 2018.
Under Harley’s watch, graduate transfer Kylan Johnson enjoyed the finest season of his career with 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Johnson received Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition and signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins. Phil Campbell and Cam Bright combined for nearly 120 tackles and 17 TFLs.
Another example of Harley’s ability to develop playmakers is Oluwaseun Idowu, who concluded his collegiate career in 2018 as one of the most prolific tacklers in recent Pitt history. Originally a walk-on, Idowu became a three-year starter, collecting 250 tackles during that span, and was an All-ACC honoree.
In 2016, the Panthers’ linebackers helped key a rush defense that finished 16th nationally, yielding just 119.6 yards per game. Matt Galambos enjoyed the best production of his career over the 2015-16 seasons, achieving personal bests in every category under Harley’s watch. Another productive linebacker from that 2016 squad, Bam Bradley, went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens.
In Harley’s initial season at Pitt, he oversaw the development of Nicholas Grigsby, a 2015 All-ACC performer who spent time with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.
Harley joined Pitt after spending the 2014 season as the linebackers coach at FIU, where he helped the Golden Panthers rank among the most disruptive defenses in college football. FIU ranked first nationally in fumble recoveries (19), second in defensive touchdowns (six), fourth in turnovers gained (33), eighth in turnover margin (plus-11 overall; 0.92 margin per game) and 35th in total defense (363.8 yards per game).
While at FIU, Harley recruited and coached linebacker Anthony Wint, who would go on to earn All-Conference USA honors and finish his collegiate career second in school history with 336 tackles. Wint went on to sign with the New York Jets.
Harley’s Pitt appointment served as a reunion with Pat Narduzzi. Harley was a graduate assistant at Michigan State for two seasons (2012-13) when Narduzzi was the Spartans’ defensive coordinator.
At Michigan State, Harley gained experience on both sides of the ball. In 2013, he worked with the linebackers and special teams, helping the Spartans to a 13-1 record, the Big Ten title and a 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Michigan State’s defense yielded just 252.2 yards per game to rank second nationally.
In 2012, Harley worked with the Spartans’ offense and special teams. Behind 1,793-yard rusher Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State earned a berth in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, where it defeated TCU, 17-16.
During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Harley served as the defensive backs/linebackers coach and assistant special teams coordinator at Ohio Dominican University, an NCAA Division II program.
A former safety at Ohio State (2001-05), Harley earned three letters with the Buckeyes and was a member of their 2002 national championship team. In Harley’s final three seasons, Ohio State posted a 29-8 record, including two victories in the Fiesta Bowl (2003 and 2005 seasons).
A 2006 graduate of Ohio State, Harley has deep roots with the Buckeyes. His great uncle is the legendary Chic Harley, the first three-time All-American in Ohio State history.
Harley earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Ohio State. He additionally owns a master’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State.
Harley and his wife, Danielle, have two sons, Paxton and Nash.
