Baylor Adds Jacori Greer as Defensive Line Coach, Bringing Proven Track Record and Texas Roots to Waco
WACO, Texas - Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is adding another seasoned voice to his defensive staff, announcing the hire of Jacori Greer as the Bears’ new defensive line coach. With deep Texas ties and a resume that’s steadily built momentum across multiple programs, Greer steps into the role with a reputation for player development, defensive turnaround, and energy that resonates on and off the field.
Greer arrives in Waco after a 2025 season at Coastal Carolina, where he served as the Chanticleers’ defensive run-game coordinator and defensive line coach. It was the latest stop in a coaching journey that’s taken him across the college football landscape - from Group of Five programs to FCS standouts - with a consistent theme: defensive improvement and player growth.
“I am excited to add Jacori to our staff,” Aranda said. “His ability to connect with players and develop them to be at their best is inspiring. He brings an energy and a tenacity to the way he teaches and coaches that is going to be so beneficial to our team.”
Greer’s coaching roots trace back to his alma mater, the University of New Mexico, where he played defensive line from 2009 to 2013. A redshirt in 2009, he eventually earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors in 2012 and captained the Lobos as a senior. That leadership carried over into coaching, beginning with a graduate assistant role at New Mexico in 2014 and another at SMU the following year.
From there, Greer’s climb through the coaching ranks picked up steam. He spent two seasons at New Mexico Highlands before landing at Abilene Christian, where his defensive lines made a name for themselves.
In 2019, ACU ranked 10th nationally with 36 sacks - a year after finishing top-8 in the FCS with 34. That production wasn’t just about pressure; the Wildcats also finished third in the Southland Conference in total, scoring, and rushing defense in 2018, and led the league in fourth-down defense.
Greer’s next stop was Texas State, where he coached the Bobcats’ defensive line from 2020 to 2022. There, he helped Nico Ezidore earn Third-Team All-Sun Belt honors after a 66-tackle, 13-TFL, 3.5-sack season - a testament to Greer’s ability to develop talent and maximize production in the trenches.
In 2023, Greer joined Louisiana Tech and helped engineer one of the most dramatic defensive turnarounds in the country. The Bulldogs, who ranked 110th in total defense in 2023, leapt to 12th nationally in 2024, allowing just 308.4 yards per game.
Their scoring defense jumped from 91st to 26th, and the rushing defense climbed nearly 90 spots - from 132nd to 44th. Those aren’t just incremental gains; they’re seismic improvements, and Greer’s fingerprints were all over them.
That success earned him a spot on Coastal Carolina’s staff in 2025, where he reunited with defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson. In a 6-6 season for the Chanticleers, the defense showed flashes - ranking fourth in the Sun Belt on third downs and averaging 5.6 tackles for loss per game.
Now, Greer returns to his home state of Texas, joining a Baylor program looking to reassert itself in the trenches. For Greer, it’s more than just another job - it’s a chance to learn from one of the most respected defensive minds in college football in Aranda, and to do it in a place that feels like home.
“I want to thank Coach Aranda and Coach Klanderman for the opportunity to join the Baylor Family and come back to my home state of Texas,” Greer said. “To be able to learn from one of the brightest and most respected defensive minds in college football is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m excited to get to Waco, start meeting our players, and get to work.”
Greer’s coaching style is marked by intensity, attention to detail, and a knack for developing disruptive defensive fronts. His units have consistently improved wherever he’s gone, and he brings a wealth of experience across multiple systems and conferences.
A Dallas native, Greer earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico, in intercultural communications and sports administration, respectively. He and his wife, Nicole, were married in May 2024.
Jacori Greer Coaching File
- Playing Career: New Mexico (2009-13)
- Coaching Career:
- 2014: Graduate Assistant - New Mexico
- 2015: Graduate Assistant - SMU
- 2015-16: Defensive Line - New Mexico Highlands
- 2017-19: Defensive Line - Abilene Christian
- 2020-22: Defensive Line - Texas State
- 2023-24: Defensive Line - Louisiana Tech
- 2025: Defensive Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line - Coastal Carolina
- 2026: Defensive Line - Baylor
With Greer now in the fold, Baylor adds a coach with a proven ability to elevate defensive line play and a passion that aligns with the program’s culture. If his track record is any indication, Baylor’s front four just got a whole lot tougher.