Assistant Coaches
JOE LEE DUNN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ LINEBACKERS
THE DUNN FILE Personal Born: Columbus, GA Birthdate: 7-14-46 College: UT-Chattanooga (1968) Athletics: 3 year football letterman at defensive back Wife: Susie Children: Kacey Jane, Ashley & Joseph Levi Jr.
Coaching Experience Univ. of Memphis (2003) Mississippi State University (1996-02) University of Arkansas (1995) University of Mississippi (1992-94) University of Memphis (1989-91) University of South Carolina (1987-88) New Mexico (1981-86) UT-Chattanooga (1971-79) Joe Lee Dunn, who served as defensive coordinator for The University of Memphis football team from 1989-91, has returned to the Tigers in the same capacity. He was hired by Tommy West in January of 2002 to take over and reconstruct the Tiger defense. Dunn came to the U of M after having worked as the defensive coordinator for Jackie Sherrill at Mississippi State University from 1996 through 2002. For seven seasons Dunn directed the Bulldog defense which was consistently ranked among the nation’s elite. During the 2001 season, the Bulldog defense held three opponents to 21 points or less and his 2000 MSU defense was ranked second in
the SEC and 13th nationally in rushing defense and sippi, was ranked among the nation’s top fifty in rush scored an amazing eight touchdowns. defense (31st), pass defense (41st), scoring defense The 1999 Bulldog defense led the nation in (39th) and total defense (45th). In 1991, while taking both rushing and total defense and was fourth in on such noted opponents as Southern Cal, Missispass efficiency defense. Mississippi State finished sixth sippi, Missouri, Mississippi State, Alabama and Tenin scoring defense and allowed just 222.55 yards nessee the Tigers were ranked per game in total defense. Dunn was named as a 54th in rush defense, 57th in total finalist for the Broyles Award, which is presented defense and 49th in scoring deannually to the nation’s top assistant coach. fense. When Dunn arrived at Mississippi State, In 1987 and 1988 Dunn served his defense ranked near the bottom of the as defensive coordinator at SEC in nearly every defensive category the University of South but with each passing season his units Carolina. In 1987 the showed improvement. In 1998, Gamecocks were one State’s defensive unit featured the of just three teams to finSEC regular-season sack ish among the nation’s leader in end Edward Smith who top five in all major deregistered 12 quarterback sacks. fensive categories. MSU was the last Division 1-A Immediately prior defense in the nation to allow a to coming to the SEC, touchdown through the air in 1998 and Dunn spent six years at scored five defensive touchdowns the University of New throughout the campaign. The defense Mexico, the last four as the helped MSU win the Western Division title school’s head coach. He began and gain a berth in the SEC Playoff game. his collegiate coaching career In 1996, Dunn’s defense broke the with a nine-year stint at this almaschool record for quarterback sacks in a mater Tennessee-Chattanooga, single season with 39. an institution which later inducted Prior to his arrival at Mississippi him into its Athletic Hall of Fame State, Dunn served one year as defenin 1992. sive coordinator at Arkansas where his Dunn and his wife, Susie, Razorback unit finished first in the SEC have three children, daughters and fifth nationally against the run. He Kacey and Ashley and a son, helped lead Arkansas to the SEC WestJoseph Levi, Jr. ern Division title. Dunn went to Arkansas following three seasons at Ole Miss, the first two as defensive coordinator and the final as interim head coach. While at Ole Miss, he lifted the Rebels’ defense among the nation’s best. UM finished sixth, first and 17th nationally in total defense during Dunn’s stay. The native of Columbus, Georgia, arrived at Ole Miss after spending three years retooling the Memphis defense. From 1989 through 1991 Dunn served as an assistant coach for one year and as defensive coordinator for his final two campaigns. Under Dunn’s direction, the Tiger defense put together some pretty impressive statistics in the early 1990s. The ‘90 unit, which was competing against teams like Mississippi, Mississippi State, THE DUNN FAMILY Florida State and Southern Missis43