Rodney Freeman II
LOGAN, Utah – Rodney Freeman II has been named Utah State’s running backs coach, it was announced Thursday by Aggie head football coach Blake Anderson. Freeman brings 12 years of coaching experience with him to USU.
Freeman comes to Utah State after serving as an offensive analyst for Michigan State during the 2022 campaign. Freeman joined the Spartans after spending the spring season as the offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at Colorado Mesa.
Prior to his appointment at Colorado Mesa, Freeman was the offensive coordinator at his high school alma mater, Klein Forest High School in Houston, Texas, for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
At Klein Forest, he coached four-star running back Ahmonte Watkins, who signed to play at TCU, to an all-district selection in 2020. In 2021, Freeman coached Kendrick Bradley to an all-district selection as he led the district with over 1,400 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. Bradley was also named a Houston Touchdown Club finalist and signed to play collegiately at Division II Henderson State. He also mentored both three-star Parker Jenkins and four-star Jelani Watkins to all-district selections that helped contribute to a potent and explosive offense.
Freeman coached three years (2017-19) at West Texas A&M, spending time as both a wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator. The Buffs’ special team unit excelled under Freeman as they ranked first in the nation in kickoff return defense and punt returns. He also coached Tobias Harris, who ranked second in all of NCAA college football in punt return average. Semaj Mitchell had a breakout year under Freeman as the senior wideout recorded a team-high 32 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Juwan McCall was equally impressive with 29 receptions for 404 yards and four scores, including back-to-back games with over 100 yards receiving. In 2018, Freeman was instrumental in helping Mitchell earn Lone Star Conference honorable mention honors as he led the team in receptions and receiving yards.
During his two seasons (2015-16) at Abilene Christian as a running backs coach, Freeman coached D’Andre Brown, who earned second-team all-Southland honors.
Freeman spent two years (2013-14) at Missouri Southern in Joplin, Missouri, where he worked primarily with the wide receivers. He served as the wide receivers and tight ends coach at Western State Colorado in 2012 where he was responsible for running and facilitating position meetings, while planning and scripting position segment practices.
Before joining the Mountaineers staff, Freeman spent a season (2011) as the co-offensive coordinator at Lutheran North High School in Houston. He also was the head freshman coach and assistant varsity coach at Eisenhower High School, where he led the freshman team to a 9-0-1 record and a district championship.
The Houston, Texas, native played collegiately at both Abilene Christian (2007-08) and Stephen F. Austin (2005-06). He helped lead the ACU Wildcats to a conference championship as a wide receiver and backup quarterback in 2008. Freeman graduated from Abilene Christian in 2009.
RODNEY FREEMAN II FILE
Coaching History
2023- Utah State – Running Backs
2022 Michigan State – Offensive Analyst
2022 Colorado Mesa – Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
2020-21 Klein Forest HS – Offensive Coordinator
2017-19 West Texas A&M – Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers
2015-16 Abilene Christian – Running Backs
2013-14 Missouri Southern – Wide Receivers
2012 Western State – Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
2011 Lutheran North HS – Co-Offensive Coordinator
Playing Experience
2007-08 Abilene Christian – Wide Receiver
2005-06 Stephen F. Austin – Wide Receiver
Education
2009 Abilene Christian
– USU –