Hampton Roads native Paul Macklin is in his fifth season on the NSU football coaching staff and his fourth full year as the team’s running backs coach. Macklin joined the NSU staff for the 2010 season as receivers coach before switching over to running backs coach for the final four games of the year. Macklin also serves as the team’s recruiting coordinator.
Macklin’s backfield at NSU last year was highlighted by transfer Rolandan Finch, who ranked second in the MEAC and 30th in the FCS in rushing, with 1,113 yards en route to first-team All-MEAC honors. Finch became the second running back in four seasons to top the 1,000-yard mark under Macklin, joining NSU all-time leading rusher DeAngelo Branche, who accomplished the feat in 2010.
The 2012 backfield of freshman Brendon Riddick and seniors Randy Maynes and Takeem Hedgeman split carries and combined for 950 rushing yards as a group. Riddick, who led the team in rushing, was named to the watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top freshman in the FCS.
In 2011, the Spartans finished fourth in the MEAC in rushing despite having the league’s top passing attack. Macklin protégés Hedgeman and Maynes split carries at tailback, combining for 1,141 yards on the ground.
In 2010, Macklin helped coach All-MEAC performer Branche, who became the school’s all-time leading rusher in the season’s final game. Branche also led the MEAC in rushing that year (1,330 yards, 120.9 ypg) en route to Black College All America honors.
Previously, Macklin served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Division II Cheyney University in 2008 and 2009.
Macklin is quite familiar with the MEAC. He spent two seasons on staff at Delaware State (2006-07), where he coached the running backs. Macklin helped lead the Hornets to an undefeated conference record and the MEAC championship in 2007. In his first year at DSU, Macklin’s pupil Emmanuel Marc rushed for 1,230 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006. Marc was second in the league rushing, and earned All-MEAC first-team honors.
Macklin also served for two seasons as the running backs coach at Indiana State (2004-05). In 2005, Andre Forte was the team leader with 802 rushing yards (4.6 ypc) and four touchdowns. Macklin had three ISU runners average 3.5 yards per carry during the 2004 season, with Jake Shields leading the way at 5.3 yards per carry and 825 yards rushing. Shields was second in Division I-AA in rushing before being felled by an injury.
From 2001-03, Macklin was a volunteer receivers coach at Division III Christopher Newport University in his hometown of Newport News, Va.
Macklin has also taught biology and coached football at two Newport News, Va. high schools. In 2000, he was wide receivers and defensive backs coach at Heritage High School, which finished 14-0 en route to the state Group AAA championship.
A 1996 graduate of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., Macklin was a four-year starter at wide receiver for the Panthers. He was a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) all-academic team as a freshman.
While at Virginia Union, Macklin was tutored by former Philadelphia Eagles great Harold Jackson, a receivers coach for the team. As a senior, Macklin played for Panthers head coach Willard Bailey, himself a former NSU football coach.
Macklin received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Union in 1996.
