Otis Mounds | University of Louisiana Monroe

Otis Mounds, a former professional player and experienced coach at both the collegiate and high school levels, joined the University of Louisiana Monroe staff as Defensive Backs Coach in 2022 after serving as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks/Nickelbacks at Hampton University from 2020-21.

For four years, he served as the defensive passing game coordinator, defensive backs coach at the University of Akron.  He added the role of recruiting coordinator in his last season with the Zips.

The 2018 season saw Akron pull a 39-34 win at Northwestern to highlight the year.  Akron was fifth in scoring defense in the MAC and seventh in total defense.  Junior DB Alvin Davis was in the top 15 nationally in interceptions in FBS en route to a first team All-Conference honor and senior DB Kyron Brown was a second team selection.

In 2017, the Akron defense was instrumental in winning the MAC East title, making a MAC Championship run, and appearing in the team’s second bowl in three seasons. In the final NCAA rankings, Akron was No. 7 in interceptions (19), No. 8 in defensive touchdowns (4), No. 19 in turnover margin (0.71), and No. 36 in red zone defense (0.800). Individually, junior DB Jordan George (Dayton, Ohio) was No. 11 in interceptions (5). Mounds coached sophomore Alvin Davis to second-team All-MAC honors as he finished second on defense with 83 tackles, two break-ups, a TFL, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

In 2016, the Zips’ defense recorded 16 sacks, eight interceptions, and six fumble recoveries. Mounds mentored true freshman Alvin Davis, who worked his way into the starting line-up. After 12 games, Davis finished second in team tackling with 87 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a break-up. Defensive back Bryce Jones (Houston) signed a rookie free agent NFL contract.

Nine Zips were named to the 2016 Academic All-Mid-American Conference team, including defensive backs Nathan Bischof, Bryce Jones, and Vince Lockett. Defensive back Larry Hope (Miami) went on to sign a rookie free agent NFL contract.

In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated Mid-American Conference play. Akron’s rushing defense (92.9) led the conference while ranking third nationally. Junior cornerback DeAndre Scott was No. 7 in total interceptions (6), No. 12 in interceptions per game (0.5) and No. 22 in passes defended (1.3). Senior cornerback John Senter earned Academic All-MAC honors.

The 2014 season saw the Zips post 13 interceptions, 38th most in Division I football. Junior corner Kris Givens, in his first season as a Zip, finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 45 (25 solo) to go with two interceptions and four breakups. Four Zips grabbed multiple interceptions, led by senior cornerback Martel Durant’s three interceptions. UA corners posted three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Sophomore corner DeAndre Scott, a third-team All-MAC honoree, scored his first collegiate touchdown, returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo. The INT score was the first by an Akron cornerback in more than two years.

Mounds, who played safety for Bowden at Auburn during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, joined the Zips’ staff after serving as defensive backs coach at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss. His resume also includes two seasons on the defensive staff at Texas Tech (2010-11) and two years as coach of the secondary at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (2008-09) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His professional playing career featured time in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League.

At Holmes CC, Mounds coached former Zip Kris Givens. He and teammates Tee Shepard and Jamie Jamison earned All-MJCAA honors in 2013.

While at St. Thomas Aquinas, Mounds tutored LaMarcus Joyner who was named the National Defensive Player of the Year and went on to play at Florida State. He also coached Cody Riggs (Florida), Brian Robinson (Marshall), Keyon Payne (Miami), Ronnie Kennedy (Central Michigan) and Desmond Southward (Wisconsin). Joyner (St. Louis Rams), Riggs (Tennessee Titans), Marcus Roberson (St. Louis Rams), and Southward (Atlanta Falcons) went on to play in the NFL.

Before his stint at Holmes CC, Mounds was head coach at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis, Ind., for one season (2012). He also served as head coach and defensive coordinator for three seasons at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, Fla. (2005-07). Mounds began his coaching career at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale in 2000, where he was the secondary coach and defensive coordinator.

Notable players under his watch at Coral Springs Charter included Darius Butler (Connecticut/New England Patriots), Evan Landi (South Florida/New England Patriots), and Jamal Davis (Florida Atlantic).

 After completing a four-year career at Auburn (1990-94), Mounds played one season in the Canadian Football League for the Birmingham Barracudas before a four-year stint in the Arena Football League. While in the arena league, he competed for three different teams: Memphis (1996), Florida (1997-99) and Carolina (1999). He graduated from Auburn in 2003 with a degree in health promotions/sports and recreation management.

Mounds and his wife Myra have two sons, Otis Jr. and Myran, and two daughters, Oteria and Faith.