Alabama State University Athletics

Justin Keown comes to Alabama State after serving two years as the tight ends and S-backs coach at Troy University. While serving in that role, he helped the team to back-to-back 10 wins seasons in 2016 and 2017 and assisted the Trojans to back-to-back bowl games (Dollar General Bowl in 2016 and New Orleans Bowl in 2017).
 
He also helped guide the Trojans to a victory over LSU, and helped Troy garner their first national ranking in school history. The team finished first in the nation in sacks allowed after being projected to finish into the top 10 nationally in that category. While at Troy he helped coach Tony Garcia – a two-time All-American and 85th overall pick in NFL Draft.
 
He will take responsibilities over for the offensive line for the Hornets.
 
Keown arrived at Troy after serving two years as an offensive line graduate assistant at South Carolina. While with the Gamecocks, the team finished with the highest postseason ranking in school history and finished fourth in the USA Today Coaches poll and AP poll (2014). Keown was part of a staff that helped South Carolina earn a berth in the Capital One Bowl (2014) and the line averaged giving up less than one sack per game. At South Carolina, he helped coach AJ Cann (three-time All-American and 67th pick in NFL Draft), Corey Robinson (240thh pick in NFL Draft) and Brandon Shell (All-American and 158th pick in NFL Draft).
 
Prior to his stints at the two schools, he assisted at his alma mater – Texas Tech – where helped the team to a bowl appearance in the Texas Bowl. The team rushed for over five yards per carry in the Texas Bowl, a game in which Keown was named the Interim Offensive Line coach. He helped coach two first team All-Big 12 players and a first team All-American. During his time at Texas Tech he helped coach LaAdrian Waddle (currently with the Detroit Lions) and Jace Amaro (the 49th pick in the NFL Draft).
 
Keown, who started 23 games at center for Texas Tech, received his Bachelor’s degree from the university in Exercise Sport Science with a minor in Health. He is also earned a Master’s degree in Sport and Fitness Management from Troy University.