Garin Justice Named OL Coach, Run Game Coordinator

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Garin Justice Named Offensive Line Coach, Run Game Coordinator

DALLAS (SMU) – Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has announced the addition of Garin Justice as the Mustangs' offensive line coach and run game coordinator. The pair spent the last two seasons together on staff at Miami where Justice also coached the offensive line.

In 2020, the Hurricanes jumped to No. 32 in FBS in total offense (from No. 98), No. 29 in passing offense (from No. 52), No. 26 in scoring offense (from No. 90), No. 17 in red zone offense (from No. 122) and No. 20 in first downs gained offense (from No. 84). The 2021 season saw a pair of Justice's offensive linemen earn All-ACC honors.

Prior to his time with the Hurricanes, Justice spent two seasons at UNLV responsible for the offensive line and run game before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator/offensive line coach. The 2019 season saw two offensive linemen (Julio Garcia, Justin Polu) earn All-Mountain West Conference recognition while running back Charles Williams, Jr., was named first-team All-Mountain West.

Justice spent two seasons as offensive line coach at FAU (2016-17) where he helped lead the 2017 team to top-10 national rankings for scoring offense (40.6) and rushing offense (285.3), while ranking 12th for fewest sacks allowed (16). They finished the season with an 11-3 record, a Conference USA Championship and a win at the Boca Raton Bowl. Three of his linemen earned All-C-USA first-team honors in 2017, blocking for Devin Singletary, who became the program's first AP All-American and set the Owls' single-season rushing record with 1,920 yards. In 2016, the Owls had a record-setting rushing attack under Justice despite losing four projected starters in the first three weeks of the season.

Justice served as head coach at Concord University (West Virginia) from 2011-15 going 40-17, including a 13-1 record in 2014. He led the program to a pair of conference championships and two NCAA Division II playoff appearances. During his five seasons, 84 student-athletes earned all-conference honors, eight picked up All-America accolades, two were named defensive WVIAC Players of the Year and 18 were named to all-region teams.

He began his coaching career as a student assistant and graduate assistant at West Virginia working with the offensive line. He also spent two seasons as an offensive graduate assistant at Florida State.

Justice earned his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree at West Virginia in 2006, and went on to earn a Master's of Sports Administration from Florida State in 2008. He was a three-year starter on the Mountaineers' offensive line and served as team captain for the 11-1 2005 squad that won the Sugar Bowl and earned a No. 5 ranking to close the season. Justice earned All-Big East honors and was a Sporting News Second-Team All-American.

He and wife, Casie Coughlin Justice, have one daughter, Juliet.

[GotMyESPY]

Great resume and results with Justice. And he's got some really talented RBs at SMU already. I hope they gel and further complement an already potent passing game.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Having a dedicated run game coordinator will do wonders for our rushing attack!

[Terry Webster]

Is it different to have the OL coach be the running game coordinator or is that becoming the norm now?

[PK]

Is it different to have the OL coach be the running game coordinator or is that becoming the norm now?

Don’t know the answer, but the running game isn’t going anywhere without the OL making holes in the defensive line.