Lester Towns was named Portland State’s new linebackers coach prior to spring football in 2012. He was also named Recruiting Coordinator for the program.
Towns guided a talented group of LBs for the Vikings as Ian Sluss, Jaycob Shoemaker and Khalil Bass were the team’s top three tacklers, combining for 260 stops, 31 tackles for loss, five sacks and 11 takeaways in 2012. Sluss was named an All-American by the Associated Press and The Sports Network, while he, Shoemaker and Bass earned Big Sky honors.
In 2013, Towns’ group was led by Shoemaker, who had a team-leading 102 tackles. Younger linebackers Jeremy Lutali, Corey Crowder, Brandon Brody-Heim, Jake Woolley, Nick Rothstein and Kawika Stant also stepped forward to contribute and give the Vikings tremendous depth going into the 2014 season.
PSU has a fine tradition of linebacker play that includes three current players in the NFL (Adam Hayward, Jordan Senn and Ryan Rau).
As recruiting coordinator, with the assistance of Michael Casco, Towns will continue to improve the Vikings’ future. Portland State has consistently had high-rated recruiting classes under Head Coach Nigel Burton.
BACKGROUND
Towns came to Portland State after spending four seasons at the University of Alabama as an assistant strength coach and defensive assistant. During that span, the Crimson Tide went 48-6 and twice won the BCS National Championship. In 2011, Alabama led the nation in six major defensive categories (rushing defense, passing defense, total defense, scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, and third-down conversion defense).
At Alabama, Towns worked with three first team All-Americans (Dont’a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw and Rolando McClain).
“Lester is a guy that I was very familiar with, and I know what is important to him. It’s more than just football, it’s about the kids,” said Viking Coach Nigel Burton. “He is an extremely intelligent guy, and he has been around great coaching from his days at Washington, to his time in the NFL, to working with Nick Saban the last four years.”
Towns had a decorated playing career, graduating from the University of Washington in 1999. He was an All-Pac-10 player under Jim Lambright and Rick Neuheisel as well as a two-year team captain. Towns also won the team Community Service Award.
While at Washington, Towns was a teammate of Burton’s for three years.
Drafted by Carolina of the NFL in 2000, Towns played with the Panthers for five seasons, set a rookie tackles record with the team and participated in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Towns also played with Arizona and Miami, spending seven seasons in the NFL.
THE LESTER TOWNS FILE
3rd year at Portland StateHometown: Pasadena, CA
Alma Mater: Washington, 1999, Sociology
Playing Career: Washington, 1995-99, linebacker; Carolina (NFL) 2000-04, Arizona (NFL) 2005, Miami (NFL) 2006
Date of Birth: August 28, 1977
Family: Children: Jamil (20), Juell (16), Jordan (8)
COACHING EXPERIENCE2012-14 Portland State, Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
2008-11 Alabama, Assistant Strength Coach/Defensive Assistant
2008 Carolina Panthers, Coaching Intern
RECRUITING AREAS
Oregon leagues: Three Rivers
Out of state: Los Angeles
ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE VIKINGS UNDER LESTER TOWNS
2012
2nd team: LB Ian Sluss (All-American)
HM: LB Jaycob Shoemaker, LB Khalil Bass
2013HM: LB Jaycob Shoemaker
