Chris Rumph

Chris Rumph is in his third season as the Tiger defensive line coach. He has had a lot to do with Clemson's 17 victories and two bowl appearances over the last two years, including the top-25 finish in 2007.

Clemson has finished in the top 25 in scoring defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, and total defense both seasons he has been on Tommy Bowden's staff. In 2007, the Tigers were in the top 10 in scoring defense and total defense, and his young defensive line had a lot to do with those numbers. He started his Clemson career on March 4, 2006.

One of Rumph's players, Phillip Merling, was the #32 overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft by the Dolphins. Merling was in the top 10 in the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss, and he was a three-time ACC Defensive Lineman-of-the-Week, more than any other player in 2007. Rumph is Merling's uncle, as he had a positive effect on the young man on and off the field for many years.

In 2008, Clemson's defensive line is ranked among the top 10 in the nation according to many preseason publications. Rumph has done an outstanding job molding Dorell Scott and Rashaad Jackson over the last two years, and those 2008 seniors are ready for strong senior seasons.

Rumph came to Clemson after working three seasons as outside linebackers coach at Memphis under former Clemson Head Coach Tommy West. Memphis made three bowl appearances in Rumph's three seasons under West, including bowl wins during the 2003 and 2005 seasons. That means Rumph has coached in a bowl game five consecutive years. Memphis won 24 games during his three years on the staff as well.

The Memphis defense was 23rd in the nation in turnover margin in 2005 when the Tigers posted a 7-5 record. The defensive unit allowed just 125.6 yards per game on the ground, best in Conference USA and 27th in the nation. Two of Rumph's players (Tim Goodwell, Carlton Baker) were the top-two tacklers on the defense. Goodwell led the team in tackles with 102, while Baker had 88, including a team-best five sacks.

Rumph joined the Memphis staff in June of 2003, and he worked with Defensive Coordinator Joe Lee Dunn in developing a solid defensive unit each of the his three years with the program. The 2003 Memphis team won nine games, including a bowl game, and finished ninth in the nation in total defense. One of Rumph's players, Coot Terry, was an All-Conference USA player as well.

In 2004, Goodwell led the team in tackles with 106 stops. Goodwell, Baker, and Quinton McCrary were three of the top four tacklers and accounted for 284 of the team's total tackles. Rumph's linebackers also logged 10 of the team's 23 sacks.

The 2004 Memphis team started 5-1 and was ranked in the top 25 of the AP poll, its first top-25 ranking in school history. The squad also defeated SEC-rival Mississippi for the second straight year.

Rumph joined the Memphis staff after coaching at S.C. State in 2002. While coaching the Bulldogs, he worked with the cornerbacks and safeties. He had previously served as head football coach at Calhoun County High School in Saint Matthews, SC from 1997-01. In addition to his duties as head coach, Rumph also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/running backs coach at Calhoun County High.

A native of Saint Matthews, SC, Rumph worked as a graduate assistant coach at South Carolina during the spring of 1997 prior to being named head coach at Calhoun County High.

Rumph was a four-year football letterman at South Carolina from 1991-94. He first appeared as a red-shirt freshman at outside linebacker, and he was credited with 16 tackles along with a sack in 1991. In 1992, he played nine games at outside linebacker as a sophomore and totaled 32 tackles. His first career start that season came in a win at Clemson.

As a junior in 1993, Rumph recorded 41 tackles as a part-time starter on defense. He started the Georgia and Clemson contests, and he turned in stellar efforts against East Carolina and Mississippi State. Rumph caused two fumbles and recovered another fumble in the East Carolina game, and he was credited with six tackles, a sack, and pass breakup against Mississippi State.

In his final season as a starting defensive tackle, Rumph was the Gamecocks' ninth-leading tackler with a career-high 52 stops in 11 regular-season games. He helped South Carolina to a Carquest Bowl bid in Brad Scott's first year as South Carolina's head coach. The Gamecocks recorded their first-ever bowl win in the 1995 Carquest Bowl against West Virginia. Scott is now Clemson's associate head coach and offensive line coach.

Rumph, 36, received his bachelor of science degree in retail management from South Carolina in December of 1994. He and his wife Kila have two sons, Christopher (9) and Elijah (2).