Football
- Title:
- Assistant Football Coach (Running Backs)
- Phone:
- 662-325-3470
Jason Washington was named the Director of Life Skills and NFL Liaison by head coach Jeff Lebby on Dec. 5, 2023, and will be one of three staff members tasked with leading a new program called D.A.W.G.
D.A.W.G. stands for ‘Developing A Winning Gameplan’. The new program created by head coach Jeff Lebby is designed to show the commitment that Mississippi State has to ensure its current players find success on and off the field while also ensuring our former players know they always have a home at Mississippi State.
Washington has been at State since 2020. He was originally brought to Starkville as the safeties coach for late former head coach Mike Leach. He also coached running backs in 2022, then became MSU’s director of player development ahead of the 2023 season and has been an integral part of the program's success and asset to the team and staff throughout his time here.
He came to Starkville on February 4, 2020, after three seasons at Texas (2017-19) as the Longhorns’ recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
Washington has a reputation as an elite recruiter. He was named the Big 12’s top recruiting coach in 2018 by 247Sports.
Washington’s unit helped the Longhorns collect 12 interceptions during the 2019 season, and cornerback D’Shawn Jamison led the team with three pickoffs.
In 2018, both of Washington’s cornerbacks earned All-Big 12 honors. Kris Boyd was first-team All-Big 12 after totaling 67 tackles with 16 pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. On the opposite side was fellow senior Davante Davis, who was named honorable mention All-Big 12 and recorded 42 tackles, eight pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
In 2017, Washington’s cornerbacks had a knack for the big play, as the Longhorns returned five interceptions for scores. Boyd led the team with 15 pass breakups and also had two interceptions. Davis and Holton Hill also had two interceptions apiece. Texas racked up 54 pass breakups on the season.
Throughout his career, Washington has coached 10 players who have reached the NFL.
While at Houston (2015-16), Washington helped the defense to a national ranking of 14th during the 2016 regular season. The Cougars had five defensive touchdowns and allowed just 22.6 points per game. Cornerback Howard Wilson led the Cougars with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Houston’s defense totaled seven interceptions and 49 pass breakups.
On special teams, Houston punter Dane Roy averaged 40.7 yards per punt and downed 19-of-55 inside the 20-yard line. The Cougars punt return defense ranked fourth nationally allowing just 1.8 yards per return on 10 attempts. Kick returner D’Eriq King averaged more than 25 yards per return and had a 99-yard return for a touchdown.
In his first season at Houston, Washington oversaw arguably the best starting cornerback tandem in the American Athletic Conference and a drastic special teams improvement. Under his leadership, William Jackson III led the nation in PBUs (23) and passed defended (28). Jackson set Houston single-game (7) and season records in passes broken up despite missing the Memphis game with an injury. Wilson was second on the team with seven pass breakups as Houston ranked fourth nationally with 87 passes defended and seventh with 21 interceptions. The duo of Wilson and Jackson combined for four defensive touchdowns in 2015.
The Cougars’ special teams unit saw much improvement under Washington in his first season. The kickoff return unit improved from 125th to 28th nationally, kickoff return defense from 75th to 45th, punt return from 99th to 41st and punt return defense from 22nd to fourth. Wilson ranked 19th nationally with an average kickoff return of 26.6 yards, including two touchdowns. Demarcus Ayers was 27th nationally with a punt return average of 11.3 yards to earn first-team All-AAC honors.
Washington arrived in Houston after four seasons at nearby Texas State (2011-14), his second stint in San Marcos, following a four-year stop at Rice (2007-10). Washington’s secondary unit helped the Bobcats rank second in the Sun Belt in 2014 with 13 interceptions. Sophomore Germond Williams ranked 17th nationally with four interceptions in just nine games. Craig Mager, who was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the San Diego Charges, was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and received All-Sun Belt honors under Washington. Junior David Mims also earned All-SBC honors with five interceptions.
In 2013, Mager was named All-Sun Belt Conference after ranking among league leaders with nine passes defended. Cornerback Darryl Morris was named second-team All-WAC in 2012, ranking among WAC leaders with four interceptions and nine passes defended. Washington also coached the punt return unit at Texas State. The Bobcats ranked seventh nationally in 2013 and led the conference in punt returns after Andy Erickson returned 20 punts for 284 yards. Erickson ranked second nationally averaging 16.7 yards per punt return in 2012.
Washington rejoined Texas State in 2011 after spending four years at Rice where he coached five All-Conference USA defensive backs. The Owls’ best season came in 2008 when Rice went 10-3, their best record since the 1950s.
Before his four years at Rice, Washington spent the previous three seasons at Texas State (2004-06). During his third season of his first stint with the Bobcats, Washington produced the Southland Conference leader in interceptions, Walter Musgrove. Musgrove was a two-time All-Southland Conference pick, SLC Student-Athlete of the Year, National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete and a FCS ADA Academic All-Star. Washington also coached two other All-SLC defensive backs in each of his first two seasons in San Marcos.
Washington spent a week during the 2009 season with the Minnesota Vikings as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship program that has produced NFL head coaches such as Mike Tomlin, Marvin Lewis and Lovie Smith.
A native of San Antonio, Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in 2002 and a master’s degree in sport administration in 2004 from Texas State. He was a four-year letterman for the Bobcats in football and baseball. He started as a defensive back in football and was a center fielder on the baseball team.
Washington is married to the former Mary Cameron "MC" Yeomans of Athens, Ga. They have one son, Jaxson, and a daughter, Jayla
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Education: Texas State, 2002 (B.A., Exercise Sport Science); 2004 (M.A., Sport Administration)
Wife: Mary Cameron
Children: Jaxson, Jayla
Birthdate: Sept. 16, 1979
2022: Mississippi State (Running Backs)
2020-21: Mississippi State (Safeties)
2017-19: Texas (Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks)
2015-16: Houston (Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks)
2014: Texas State (Secondary)
2011-13: Texas State (Cornerbacks)
2007-10: Rice (Cornerbacks)
2004-06: Texas State (Cornerbacks)
2021 Liberty Bowl (Mississippi State)
2020 Armed Forces Bowl (Mississippi State)
2019 Alamo Bowl (Texas)
2019 Sugar Bowl (Texas)
2017 Texas Bowl (Texas)
2016 Las Vegas Bowl (Houston)
2015 Peach Bowl (Houston)
2008 Texas Bowl (Rice)
