Freeman II Joins Duke as Running Backs Coach

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke head football coach Manny Diaz announced Friday that Rodney Freeman II will join the Blue Devil gridiron program and serve as an assistant coach. Freeman II will mentor the Blue Devil running backs.

With more a decade of collegiate experience, Freeman II has coached in three bowl games and earned victories in the last two Go Bowling Military Bowls, against NC State and Pitt.

Freeman II comes to Durham after a two-year stint (2023-24) at East Carolina University serving as the running backs coach. During his time in Greenville, Freeman II helped the Pirates to 17-9 overall record and the two bowl victories versus ACC foes.

This fall, Freeman II guided a four-man running back rotation to 1,886 yards as each crossed the 250-yard plateau. London Montgomery and Marlon Gunn Jr. combined for 13 rushing scores and 1,324 rushing yards in helping the Pirates to a 9-4 record, 6-2 conference mark and 24-17 victory against Pitt in the Go Bowling Military Bowl.

In his first year with the Pirates, Freeman II's group netted 2,241 yards on the ground and scored 23 touchdowns. Rahjai Harris led the way with 1,166 yards. Against NC State in the Go Bowling Military Bowl, he set and American Conference bowl record with 220 yards. The Military Bowl Most Valuable Player also tallied the most rushing yards by an individual during the 2024-25 bowl season and was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team. Harris closed his collegiate career ranking second all-time at ECU in rushing (3,096) and third in touchdowns (29) and earning all-conference honors twice.

Before his tenure at East Carolina, Freeman II served one year at Utah State as the running backs coach. He helped the Aggies rank among the NCAA leaders in total offense (22nd/446.4), rushing offense (25th/186.6) and scoring offense (25th/34.1 ppg). His running backs room was led by Davon Booth, who rushed for 734 yards on 116 carries (6.33) with five scores. Booth stood 14th nationally, and third in the Mountain West, in yards per carry.

Freeman II went to Utah State after serving as an offensive analyst for Michigan State during the 2022 campaign. He joined the Spartans after spending the spring season as the offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at Colorado Mesa.

Prior to rejoining the collegiate ranks, Freeman II was the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, Klein Forest High School in Houston, Texas, for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. While there he coached four-star running back Ahmonte Watkins, who signed with TCU, to an all-district selection in 2020. In 2021, Freeman II coached Kendrick Bradley to all-district honors as he led the district with over 1,400 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

For three years (2017-18-19), Freeman II was a wide receivers coach and special team's coordinator at West Texas A&M. The Buffs' special teams unit excelled in 2019 under Freeman II as it led the nation in kickoff return defense and punt returns. That season, Freeman II led Tobias Harris to ranking second in all of NCAA college football in punt return average and earning Associated Press Second Team All-America honors as a return specialist. Semaj Mitchell had a breakout year in 2019 under Freeman II with a team-high 32 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns. In 2018, Freeman II was instrumental in helping Mitchell to Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year and honorable mention accolades.

During two seasons (2015-16) at Abilene Christian as a running backs coach, Freeman II coached D'Andre Brown, who earned All-Southland Second Team honors.

Freeman II spent two years (2013-14) at Missouri Southern working primarily with the wide receivers. He served as the wide receivers and tight ends coach at Western State Colorado in 2012, where he was responsible for running and facilitating position meetings while planning and scripting position segment practices.

Before joining the Mountaineers staff, Freeman II spent a season (2011) as the co-offensive coordinator at Lutheran North High School in Houston. He also was the head freshman coach and assistant varsity coach at Eisenhower High School in 2009-10, leading the freshman team to a 9-0-1 record and a district championship.

The Houston, Texas, native played collegiately at both Abilene Christian (2007-08) and Stephen F. Austin (2005-06). He helped lead ACU to a conference championship as a wide receiver and backup quarterback in 2008. Freeman II graduated from Abilene Christian in 2009. He and his wife, Kristen, have two sons, Rodney Freeman III and Kyrie, and two daughters, Aniya and Amelia.

THE RODNEY FREEMAN II FILE
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Education: Abilene Christian, 2009 (Sports and Exercise Science)
Wife: Kristen Freeman
Children: Aniya, Rodney "Free" Freeman III, Kyrie and Amelia

FREEMAN II'S COACHING CAREER

2025-pres. – Duke (Running Backs)
2023-24 – East Carolina (Running Backs)
2023 – Utah State (Running Backs)
2022 (Fall) – Michigan State (Offensive Analyst)
2022 (Spring) – Colorado Mesa (Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers)
2020-21 – Klein Forest High School (Offensive Coordinator)
2017-19 – West Texas A&M (Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers)
2015-16 – Abilene Christian (Running Backs)
2013-14 – Missouri Southern (Wide Receivers)
2012 – Western State (Wide Receivers/Tight Ends)
2011 – Lutheran North HS (Co-Offensive Coordinator)
2009-10 – Aldine Eisenhower High School (Quarterbacks/Freshman)

Freeman II Joins Duke as Running Backs Coach

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