A&M hires Ole Miss’ Marquel Blackwell as new running backs coach

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss running backs coach Marquel Blackwell is leaving the Rebels for Texas A&M as reported first by Billy Luicci of Texags.com. 

Before arriving in Oxford for this last season, his only year with Ole Miss, Coach Blackwell spent the prior three season at the University of Houston. 

Last season, Coach Blackwell was nominated for the Broyles Award, honoring college football’s top assistant coach.

The vacancy on Jimbo Fisher’s staff came open last month when coach Tommie Robinson was not renewed.

Last season, Blackwell coached freshman running back Quinshon Judkins to the Southeastern Conference rushing title. The freshman phenom was also named All-SEC and Freshmen of the Year as he amassed 1,565 yards on 274 carries (5.71 yards per rush) and 16 touchdowns. 

While with the Cougars, Blackwell served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019 before taking over the running backs for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Football)

Evelyn Van Pelt

Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.