The 2020 season is Ron Bolton’s second year back on the football coaching staff at his alma mater. A former defensive backs coach at NSU from 1997-2001 and former All-American defensive back for the Spartans, Bolton assists with coaching the Spartan DBs.
In his first year back with his alma mater, the Spartans ranked fourth in the MEAC in pass defense (205.7 ypg allowed) and interceptions (13) in 2019. Freshman cornerback Devyn Coles tied for the MEAC lead with five interceptions en route to Phil Steele Magazine FCS Freshman All-America fourth team honors.
Bolton’s lengthy coaching career has included several stops within the MEAC as well as a stint as head coach at nearby Booker T. Washington High in Norfolk. Bolton coached the defensive backs at Howard from 2002-06 and again from 2011-16. In his first stint with the Bison, Bolton helped coach two future NFL standout defensive backs in Antoine Bethea and Ronald Bartell Jr. Howard twice attained the MEAC’s No. 1 ranking in total defense during Bolton’s first tenure, in 2005 and again in 2006.
In his second stint in the nation’s capital, Howard led the MEAC in pass defense in 2011, allowing just 157.9 yards per game.
Prior to coming to Howard, Bolton served as secondary coach for Delaware State. In his first season with the Hornets, safety Jerome Strums finished third in the MEAC with four interceptions. Additionally, Bolton’s secondary amassed three of the team’s four defensive touchdowns.
Bolton served as head coach at Booker T. Washington from 2007-08 before jumping back into the college ranks. Bolton also made a coaching stop at Liberty University in 1996 before joining the Spartans for their first season as a Division I program in 1997.
Bolton was a star defensive back at NSU from 1968-71. He was a Pittsburgh Courier All-American as a senior in 1971, when he led the Spartans with three interceptions in eight games. Bolton was selected in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he played for four seasons. Bolton went on to enjoy seven more years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, helping the team to the AFC Central Division title and a playoff berth in 1980.
In his 11-year NFL career, Bolton played in 145 games with 120 starts. He amassed 35 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries in his career.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Bolton received a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from NSU in 1972.
