Orono, Maine – Jordan Stevens ('10), who served as captain of the Black Bears in 2009, has been named the 37th head football coach at UMaine, Director of Athletics Ken Ralph announced on Tuesday, Dec. 7.

"We are thrilled Jordan Stevens has accepted our offer to be the next head coach for UMaine Football," Ralph says. "He has a proven track record of excellence both on and off the field and brings a winning mindset to Orono. His commitment to his players and dedication to their personal development stood out in the search process. Our players will be able to feel his passion for UMaine Football every day. As a native Mainer, and accomplished former Black Bear player, Jordan will be able to unite our alumni and fan base in an exciting way. We can't wait for him to put his mark on the program."

Stevens, an All-CAA third team selection with the Black Bears before serving a four-year stint as an assistant coach at UMaine, returns home to Orono after spending the previous seven seasons on staff at Yale.

"I am honored to be the next head football coach at the University of Maine," Stevens says. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Ken Ralph, President Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, and the search committee for trusting and believing in me to lead the program I love. I will challenge the young men in our program to be the best versions of themselves. Each day, we will work to be great teammates, honor those who came before us, and build a legacy for the future. Maine is my home and I will protect my home. Go Black Bears!"

Stevens played for the Black Bears from 2006-2009 before mentoring Maine's defensive line in an assistant coaching role from March 2011 through February 2015.

"The University of Maine is delighted to have Jordan Stevens returning to Orono as our next head football coach," Ferrini-Mundy says. "Coach Stevens has a proven track record of success and strong ties to the Black Bears. We are incredibly proud of all of our student-athletes and excited for the future of UMaine football under the guidance of Coach Stevens and his team."

Stevens, a native of Temple, Maine, mentored nine All-Ivy League players and a pair of All-Colonial Athletic Association honorees during his 11-year assistant coaching career with Yale and UMaine. While at Yale, Stevens spent his first three seasons as the defensive line coach with the Bulldogs before being elevated to assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator, working specifically with the linebackers, in Jan. 2018. After spending one season working with the linebackers, Stevens returned to his roots, switching back to mentoring the defensive line in a role he would serve from Jan. 2019 until the end of his stint with the Bulldogs.

Stevens served a key role in leading Yale to Ivy League titles in 2017 and, as the assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator, again in 2019 as the Bulldogs finished both title seasons with a 9-1 mark. In 2017, Stevens helped mentor a defensive unit which led the Ivy League in total defense (302.8 yards per game allowed); scoring defense (15.6 points allowed); rushing defense (73.1 rush yards allowed); third down conversion percentage defense (29.9 percent); and tackles for loss (85). The Bulldogs' numbers were not just impressive against their Ivy League peers but also ranked in the top-10 in the nation in scoring defense, rushing defense, third down conversion percentage defense, and tackles for loss during the 2017 campaign.

The 2021 season saw Yale post some of its best defensive marks in recent history as the unit, under the guidance of Stevens as co-defensive coordinator, led the nation in third down conversion percentage defense (22.1), ranked ninth nationally in sacks per game (3.2/32 total), and checked in 23rd in all of the Football Championship Subdivision in rush defense after allowing just 117.1 yards per game on the ground.

Yale consistently progressed on the defensive side of the ball under Stevens' leadership. In his first season with the defensive line, the Bulldogs posted six sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Three years later, under the direction of Stevens, Yale turned those statistical numbers into 22.5 sacks and 44.5 tackles for loss as the Bulldogs would post 18 or more sacks in three of the last four seasons and 34 or more tackles for loss in four of the last five years.

Stevens began his coaching career at the University of Maine, serving two seasons as the assistant defensive line coach before a two-year stint as the lead defensive line coach at his alma mater in Orono. Stevens, who mentored NFL Draft Pick and two-time All-CAA selection Trevor Bates and All-CAA second team selection and Maine's career sack leader Michael Cole, helped guide the Black Bears to the NCAA FCS Playoffs in 2011 and to a CAA Championship and another trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs in 2013. Maine's Black Hole defense was impressive during Stevens' time at UMaine, posting the top ranked scoring defense and red zone defense in 2012, the CAA's fourth ranked total defense in 2013, and the CAA's second ranked total defense, 16th in the nation, in 2014.

An All-CAA third team selection at defensive end, UMaine's Most Valuable Player, and a New England Football Writers FCS All-Star selection in 2009, Stevens enjoyed an impressive four-year career with the Black Bears. Stevens appeared in 45 games at UMaine while registering 184 tackles, 24 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, while logging a pair of safeties. In 2008, Stevens guided the Black Bears to an appearance in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

Following his playing career with the Black Bears, Stevens participated in NFL Rookie Mini Camp with the Detroit Lions before signing with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League for Mini and Training Camp in 2010.

Stevens earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Management from UMaine in 2010. A Mt. Blue high school graduate, Stevens and his wife, Ellen, have one daughter, Noella and son, Carson.

Stevens' Resume:

• Yale Assistant Head Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, Pro Liaison - (Jan. 2019 - Dec. 2021)
• Yale Assistant Head Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, Pro Liaison - (Jan. 2018 - Jan. 2019)
• Yale Defensive Line Coach, Pro Liaison - (Feb. 2015 - Jan. 2018)
• UMaine Defensive Line Coach, Pro Liaison - (July 2013 - Feb. 2015)
• UMaine Assistant Defensive Line Coach/Outside Linebackers - (March 2011 - July 2013)
• UMaine Student-Athlete - Defensive Lineman - (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 seasons)

-UMaine-