Rip Rowan enters his first season as a defensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing with him 10 years of coaching experience at the college level.
Before joining the Silver and Black, he served as the defensive line coach at Georgia Southern for three seasons (2022-24). During the 2024 season, Rowan helped the Eagles rank fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in forced fumbles (10) and seventh in fumble recoveries (six).
In 2023, Rowan coached DL Isaac Walker to third team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and DL Justin Rhodes to honorable mention All-Sun Belt honors. Walker ranked tied for first in the FBS in forced fumbles (five) and Rhodes tied for 13th in the conference in tackles for loss (13).
In his first season at Georgia Southern, Rowan tutored DL Justin Ellis as he earned third team All-Sun Belt honors after posting 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Rowan spent three seasons at the University of Washington, serving as the defensive line coach in 2021 after two seasons as a defensive analyst from 2019-20. In his final season with the Huskies, he helped coach DL Tuli Letuligasenoa to All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors after recording 36 tackles and a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss.
In 2020, Rowan worked with a defensive unit that ranked first in the Pac-12 in fewest total yards allowed per game (346.3) and fewest passing yards allowed per game (185.0). He helped mentor DL Zion Tupuola-Fetui to All-Pac-12 First Team honors after recording seven sacks and three forced fumbles in only four games, ranking 18th and fifth in the nation respectively. Additionally, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio and DB Trent McDuffie were named second team All-Pac-12.
In 2019, Rowan saw two defensive players earn All-Pac-12 honors, as DB Elijah Molden was named All-Pac-12 First Team after leading the conference in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (13), while DB Myles Bryant earned second team honors after posting 68 tackles and three interceptions.
Prior to the University of Washington, Rowan served as a graduate assistant at Florida Atlantic for two seasons (2017-18). In 2018, he helped coach DB Jalen Young as he earned second team All-CUSA honors after recording 59 tackles, one interception and two passes defensed.
In his first season with Florida Atlantic, the Owls' defense finished first in Conference USA in sacks (38), interceptions (20), and fourth in forced fumbles(10). The defense also allowed the third-fewest scoring average (22.7). He helped a unit that included three First Team All-Conference-USA selections in LB Azeez-Al-Shaair, Young and DB Shelton Lewis. Young led the conference with seven interceptions and Al-Shaair finished second in the league with 147 total tackles.
Rowan entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant for Southern Miss, working primarily with the defensive line from 2015-16.
In 2016, the Golden Eagles ranked first in the conference in the fewest total yards allowed per game (324.8) and produced two first team Conference-USA selections in DL Dylan Bradley (seven sacks, 14 TFLs) and DB D'Nerius Antoine (82 tackles).
In 2015, Rowan helped mentor DL Michael Smith as he was a second team All-Conference -USA selection after posting 25 tackles and four sacks.
PERSONAL: A native of Marietta, Ga., Rowan was a four-year letterwinner at Austin Peay from 2010-13, where he played defensive end and linebacker...Earned his bachelor's degree in history and education…Worked as a history teacher and assistant football coach at Northwest High School in Clarksville, Tenn., in 2014.
