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T.J. Denson

  • Title
    Assistant Coach (Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties)
  • Email
    football@uncp.edu
  • Phone
    775-4236
A seasoned coaching veteran with previous stops at three other collegiate institutions, T.J. Denson begins his second season at UNC Pembroke in 2024-25 as the defensive backs (safeties) coach and special teams coordinator for the Braves.
 
Denson travels to Pembroke from central New Hampshire where he served two seasons as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Franklin Pierce. He also previous stops at both Tarleton State and Midland.

Denson made an immediate impact in his first season for the UNCP defense, taking a unit that finished the 2022 season 94th, nationally, in passing yards allowed (213.6 ypg) to 36th, nationally, in 2023 (179.6 ypg). The Braves also finished 13th in team passing efficiency defense. Denson also played an integral role in cutting the scoring defense by 10 points per game (28.9 ppg to 18.9 ppg), as well as helping lead a unit that led Division II in tackles for loss per game (10.9).
 
Denson made a significant impact on the defensive effort for Franklin Pierce across the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the Ravens ranked among NCAA Division II’s top-35 teams in forced turnovers, including a dozen interceptions across the 2022 campaign alone. His secondary featured a pair of All-Northeast 10 selections, including Qudair Sims who logged four pickoffs and six pass break-ups on the way to raking in 1st team all-league honors following the 2021 campaign. Sophomore Shamil Diaz ranked second, nationally, in 2022 with 15 pass break-ups.
 
Prior to trekking to the Northeast, Denson spent the 2020 season as a graduate assistant defensive backs and special teams coach at Tarleton State which allowed just 163 passing yards per game on the way to posting a 5-3 mark as an NCAA FCS Independent. He also successfully completed a 2-year stint (2017-18) as the defensive backs and assistant special teams coach at Midland – a member of the NAIA’s Great Plains Athletic Conference. While in Fremont, Neb., Denson mentored a pair of All-GPAC selections, including 2nd team pick Exavier Edward.
 
Denson also has a pair of coaching stints at the prep level, including his first at Lake Gibson (Fla.) High School where he mentored a pair of NCAA Division I signees. He served two stints (2016 & 2019) at his alma mater, Lakeland (Fla.) Senior High School, and fostered the progression of five NCAA Division I signees, including Pitt standout and Denver Broncos draftee Damarri Mathis.
 
An all-state selection at Lakeland Senior High School, Denson played his first three collegiate seasons at Murray State where he saw action in 26 games while amassing 39 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He played his senior season at Concordia-St. Paul where he saw time in 11 games (4 starts), while also posting 30 tackles (15 solo), including 2-1/2 tackles for loss, and one interception.
 
Denson earned his bachelor’s degree in integrated studies health and physical education from Murray State in 2014, and completed his master’s degree in kinesiology at Tarleton State in 2022.

THE DENSON FILE
Coaching Experience
2015 Lake Gibson (Fla.) High School, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2016 Lakeland (Fla.) Senior High School, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2017-18 Midland, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2019 Lakeland (Fla.) Senior High School, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2020 Tarleton State, Graduate Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2021-22 Franklin Pierce, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator)
2023-Present UNC Pembroke, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks)
Playing Experience
Played three seasons as defensive back (2010-12) at Murray State; Played senior season (2013) at Concordia-St. Paul.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in integrated studies health and physical education (Murray State, 2014). Master's degree in kinesiology (Tarleton State, 2022).


Updated: July 2024