Jody Owens Returns to MSU Program as Assistant Linebackers Coach

One of the finest players in Montana State's football history is returning home.Jody Owens, the 2012 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-America, rejoined Bobcat Football Monday as the program's assistant linebackers coach. Owens is tabbed to work with MSU linebackers coach, who added the title of co-defensive coordinator this winter."Jody is a great fit," Bobcat head coachsaid. "He knows our system, he played in it, and he has a great relationship with. Jody has a tremendous work ethic and a great aptitude for the game. He's gained some experience coaching high school football in Texas the last two years and I'm excited about what he brings to our coaching staff."Owens was part of Ash's first full recruiting class in 2008, and after redshirting that season immediately established himself as an outstanding player. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors after starting nine games in 2009, and was so-honored again in 2010 while helping lead MSU to its first Big Sky title in five years.The Mesquite, Tex., product was brilliant as a junior, when he became a unanimous First Team All-Big Sky selection while landing Second Team All-America honors. He registered 47 tackles, 17 behind the line of scrimmage, with five sacks and an interception. His 1.3 tackles-for-loss per game led the Big Sky.As good as the first four seasons of Owens' career was, it was building to a spectacular finale. Owens led the Cats with 97 tackles, earning consensus All-America honors and claiming for MSU the school's fourth Big Sky Defensive MVP award in a decade. He forced five fumbles, second-most in school history, and of his five sacks the biggest might have come at a key moment of the team's home playoff win over Stony Brook. His 43 career tackles-for-loss is ninth-best in Bobcat history, and his seven career forced fumbles is the second-most by a Bobcat. He earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year honors that season, and was a consensus All-America.Owens is excited to return to his alma mater, and to progress in his profession. "I can't wait to get back and get to work," Owens said. "I'm grateful to Montana State and Coach Ash for giving me this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to learn from Coach Ioane."Owens has coached at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Tex., the past two years, which Ash said should prepare him for the recruiting trail. "The fact that Jody came to Montana State and lived what he'll be asking high school student-athletes to do gives him tremendous credibility. I anticipate that he will be an excellent recruiter."Owens is expected to return to MSU before spring drills in mid-March.