Tennessee State University

Joe Bowden joined the Tennessee State staff in the spring of 2021 and will coach the linebackers.
 
Bowden comes to TSU after four years at Missouri Baptist University. Bowden worked as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach with the Spartans. During his tenure, he produced All-Mid-States Football Association selections Dontrail Johnson, Donovan Baldwin, Dacorey McGee, Joey Morones and Blake Kight, as well as two-time all-conference safety Jaylen Cowley.
 
Prior to MBU, Bowden was hired in 2016 as the inside linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49’ers after four seasons (2012-15) of serving as an assistant linebackers coach and assistant special teams coach for the then St. Louis Rams.
 
In 2006, Bowden began a two-year stint as the secondary coach for the University of Central Oklahoma. After his time at UCO, Bowden held positions with Mount St. Mary’s High School and Edmond Sante Fe High School in Oklahoma City, Okla.
 
Bowden began his coaching career working as a defensive assistant for three seasons with NFL Europe before spending two seasons as a defensive and special team’s intern with the Washington Redskins.
 
As a player, Bowden spent nine seasons playing linebacker in the NFL, primarily with the Houston Oilers/ Tennessee Titans. He was a standout at the University of Oklahoma, earning Big Eight defensive player of the year and All American in 1991.
 
Bowden earned a degree in General Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s in Secondary Education from Alcorn State University.