JJ Mayer will enter his first season with the Boll Weevil football staff in August 2026.
With nearly 15 years of collegiate coaching experience, Mayer has built a reputation for developing elite defenses and high-impact special teams units at the NCAA Division II level.
Most recently, he served at Glenville State University, where he held multiple leadership roles, including Defensive Coordinator (2023–2025), Co-Defensive Coordinator (2021–2022), and Special Teams Coordinator (2018–2021). During his tenure, his defenses consistently ranked among the top units in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and earned national recognition across NCAA Division II.
From 2022–2025, his defensive units ranked among the top two in multiple MEC statistical categories while also placing in the Top 50 nationally. Known for their aggressive and opportunistic style, his defenses forced 23 or more turnovers in each of the last four seasons. Under his leadership, standout performers emerged, including Jamir Diaz, who earned MEC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading all of Division II in sacks and tackles for loss, along with Second Team All-American recognition. Brandon Penn also garnered Second Team All-American honors, while Jaiden McClendon Parker was named Defensive Freshman of the Year. His units consistently produced All-Conference selections, including multiple First Team honorees each season.
His impact extended to special teams, where his units achieved national prominence. The punt team averaged 39 yards per punt during the 2022–23 seasons, ranking in the Top 10 nationally. In 2019, his kickoff return unit ranked 12th in NCAA Division II and led the MEC, averaging 24.14 yards per return with two touchdowns. That same season, the punt unit ranked 17th nationally and first in the MEC with a 37.72 net average, while successfully executing all five fake punt attempts.
Prior to Glenville State, he spent six seasons at Alderson Broaddus University, serving as Defensive Coordinator (2014–2018), Recruiting Coordinator (2012–2018), Safeties and Nickels Coach (2012–2018), and Special Teams Coordinator (2013). In 2016, he led one of the nation’s most dominant defenses, ranking No. 2 in both total defense and scoring defense across NCAA Division II, while helping guide the program to a G-MAC Championship.
During his time at Alderson Broaddus, he coached numerous All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American players. Among them was Mike James, a G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time ECAC All-Star, All-Region and All-American selection, and Cliff Harris Award nominee. Additional standouts included Tanner Leach (First Team All-Region) and Jeff Stephens (Third Team All-Region).
He began his collegiate coaching career at Stonehill College (2011–2012), where he coached defensive backs, implemented 4-2-5 defensive principles, and assisted with scouting, film breakdown, and special teams coordination.
A former student-athlete at Fairmont State University (2006–2010), he was a four-year starting defensive back and a key contributor on special teams, laying the foundation for a coaching career centered on defensive excellence and player development.
He and his wife, Angie, reside in Monticello and have two daughters, Tylan and Rowyn.
