Duke is making moves in its football program, and the latest is a key addition to the offensive staff. Rodney Freeman II has been hired as the Blue Devils’ new running backs coach, stepping in after Chris Foster’s departure to Florida. Freeman arrives in Durham after two seasons at East Carolina, where he helped shape one of the more productive rushing attacks in the American Athletic Conference.
Let’s start with what Duke is getting. Freeman brings a proven track record of developing running backs and building consistent ground games.
At ECU, his running backs room put up solid numbers in 2025 - 2,292 rushing yards on 559 attempts, matching Duke’s 4.1 yards per carry average but doing it with more volume and efficiency. The Pirates averaged 176.3 rushing yards per game and found the end zone 31 times on the ground.
That kind of production isn’t just a stat line - it reflects a coach who knows how to get the most out of his backs and tailor schemes to their strengths.
That’s especially relevant for a Duke team coming off a season where the run game showed flashes of promise. The Blue Devils rushed for 1,722 yards on 419 carries, averaging 132.5 yards per game and punching in 24 rushing touchdowns.
True freshman Nate Sheppard led the way with 982 yards and 10 touchdowns on 178 carries - an impressive debut that sets the stage for a big sophomore campaign. Anderson Castle added 470 yards and 11 touchdowns, giving Duke a solid one-two punch in the backfield.
Freeman’s arrival could be the spark that takes this unit to the next level. His first year at ECU saw similar success, with the Pirates racking up 2,241 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
That group was led by Rahjai Harris, who rushed for 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns - and made national headlines with a 220-yard performance in the Go Bowling Military Bowl, setting a new AAC bowl game record. That kind of breakout performance speaks volumes about Freeman’s ability to prepare his backs for the big stage.
And Freeman wasn’t just a position coach - he showed he could handle more when called upon. During ECU’s 2025 postseason, head coach Blake Harrell handed Freeman the reins to the offense for the Military Bowl.
Freeman had final say on play-calling, and the Pirates delivered, beating Pittsburgh 23-17. That’s a strong vote of confidence in his football mind and leadership under pressure.
Before his time at ECU, Freeman spent the 2023 season coaching running backs at Utah State. That Aggies offense ranked in the Top 40 nationally in several key categories, including total offense (22nd), rushing offense (25th), and scoring offense (25th).
The running backs room accounted for 13 of the team’s 17 rushing touchdowns, led by Davon Booth’s 734 yards and five scores. Again, Freeman showed he could step into a new environment and quickly get results.
His coaching journey also includes a stint as an offensive analyst at Michigan State in 2022, plus coordinator roles at Colorado Mesa and Klein Forest High School in Houston. That diverse background - from high school to the Power Five - gives him a wide lens on offensive football and player development, something that should serve Duke well as it looks to continue building under its current regime.
Bottom line: Freeman brings energy, experience, and a track record of maximizing talent in the backfield. With young stars like Sheppard already on the rise, Duke’s run game could be in for a noticeable leap in 2026.