Jared Backus
DC, Cornell
About this speaker
Jared Backus has served as Associate Head Coach and The John B. and Ann M. Rogers '45 Defensive Coordinator since 2013 and will continue to manage all aspects of the defensive game plan. His imprint can be seen on the Big Red defense – create havoc and turnovers will follow.
Backus transitioned the team to a 3-4 defense and has put a roster together that fits the scheme. In all, he has been instrumental in the development of 26 All-Ivy League selections.
Since taking over, Cornell hasn’t allowed a defensive touchdown four times, including posting the program’s first shutout in 22 years in a 3-0 victory over Columbia in 2015 – the first time a field goal was good for a Big Red win in 29 seasons. The team’s 15 interceptions in 2016 were the most by a Cornell team in 20 years, and its 24 sacks in 2017 were the most by a Big Red defense in nearly two decades.