Bryant University

Former University of Miami and NFL offensive lineman JoelRodriguez enters his fourth year as an assistant coach at Bryant in2011, coaching the Bulldogs' offensive line. 

Coach Rodriguez has led a stalwart group of offensive linemenduring his previous three seasons.  In 2010, the Bulldogsallowed just 14 sacks in eight conference games, ranking in thetop-half of the league in that category.

In 2009, with only two seniors on the offensive line, theBulldogs averaged 302.2 yards of total offense per game and scored23 touchdowns including 14 passing touchdowns.  Senior runningback Jerell Smith rushed for 1,198 yards including a 239-yardperformance in a win over Saint Francis. 

In his first year, the Bulldogs enjoyed a tremendously successfulfirst year competing at the Division I level, posting a 7-4 recordoverall, thanks in part to a strong running game.  TheBulldogs finished the year ranked 28th nationally with 178.3 yardsrushing per game and averaged 337 yards of total offense. 

A standout offensive lineman with the Hurricanes from 2001-04,Rodriguez garnered Verizon Academic All-District honors during hiscareer and was named to three Big East All-Academic teams and oneACC All-Academic squad.  

After serving as a backup during his first two years, Rodriguezwas the starting center and anchor on the offensive line as ajunior and senior. Rodriguez played in 11 games as a junior with 10starts before suffering a season-ending injury againstRutgers.  He was named offensive MVP by the Miami coachingstaff after an outstanding game in the team's win over in-staterival Florida in 2003.

Rodriguez is a graduate of Monsignor Pace High School where he wasthe top-ranked center and fifth-best offensive lineman by FloridaPrep Football.

Born June 27, 1982 in Miami, Florida, Rodriguez signed afree-agent contract with the NFL's Tennessee Titans and was amember of the practice squad in 2005 before allocated to the NFLEurope Berlin Thunder in 2006.

In 2007, Rodriguez was a graduate assistant coach at Mississippibefore coming to Bryant University this spring.