About

John Downing is entering his third season as the Defensive Line Coach at Cumberland University. The Toledo, OH native previously served as the Offensive Line Quality Control at FCS member Big South-OVC Champion Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, where the OL ranked second in the conference in Rushing and had 3 All-Conference selections.

Before Gardner-Webb, Coach Downing assisted Travis Knight with the Defensive Line at Wingate University during two stints (2020-2021 & 2022-2023), including a 2022 that saw Wingate University set school records in Sacks (60), TFLs (141) which also led the nation, Wins (11), highest ranked Defense (#3 nationally), deepest playoff run (3rd round), and highest final ranking (#15 AFCA). Three SAC Defensive Players of the Year in a row were Defensive Ends from Wingate University (DJ Horne – 2022 & Marquise Fleming, 2023 & 2024, who also the school and the conference's first Gene Upshaw award winner).

In between his stints at Wingate University, he led the Defensive Line at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, FL where he mentored DE Jaren Wilson who competed in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in February, 2023.

He got his start in collegiate coaching at Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC (2018-2020).

Coach Downing has also served internships with the Jacksonville Jaguars (mini-camp 2023) and FBS member Charlotte (Fall camp 2022), and was a guest coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers during OTAs in May 2025. Coach Downing has also Head Coached 4 collegiate All-Star games, with a 3-1 record, where he has enjoyed helping highlight multiple players that have gone on to sign professional contracts, including the NFL and CFL.