Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

Otis Mounds will begin his second season at Bethune-Cookman in 2025, after serving his first year as Passing Game Coordinator and Safeties coach. The 2025 campaign sees the veteran coach move to Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties coach for the Wildcats under Head Coach Raymond Woodie Jr.
 
During the 2024 campaign, Mounds was responsible for helping Bethune-Cookman finish eighth as a unit for pass defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Cats defensive unit finished fourth in the league in sacks (25) and seventh in interceptions (10). Raymond Woodie III was eighth in the SWAC in total tackles (80), while teammate Kevin Washington Jr. was 12th overall (79).
 
As a former professional player and experienced coach at both the collegiate and high school levels, Mounds spent three seasons at the University of Louisiana-Monroe from 2021-23, where he served as an assistant coach in charge of defensive backs with the Warhawks.
 
Prior to his time at ULM, Mounds spent three seasons with the Hampton University staff as an assistant coach with cornerbacks and nickelbacks, in addition to being the passing game coordinator.

For four years prior to joining the Pirates staff, he served as the defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Akron. He added the role of recruiting coordinator in his last season with the Zips.
 
The 2018 season saw Akron capture a 39-34 win at Northwestern to highlight the year. Akron was fifth in scoring defense in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and seventh in total defense. Junior DB Alvin Davis was in the top 15 nationally in interceptions in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) en route to a first team all-conference honor, while senior DB Kyron Brown finished as a second team selection.

In 2017, the Akron defense was instrumental in winning the MAC East title, making a MAC Championship run, and appearing in the team’s second bowl game in three seasons. In the final NCAA rankings, Akron was ranked seventh nationally in interceptions (19), eighth in defensive touchdowns (4), 19th in turnover margin (0.71), and 36th in red zone defense (0.800). Individually, junior DB Jordan George was ranked 11th nationally in interceptions (5). Mounds coached sophomore Alvin Davis to second team All-MAC honors, as he finished second on defense with 83 tackles, two pass deflections, one tackle-for-loss, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
 
In 2016, the Zips’ defense recorded 16 sacks, eight interceptions, and six fumble recoveries. Mounds mentored true freshman Alvin Davis, who worked his way into the starting lineup. After 12 games, Davis finished second on the team in total tackles (87), adding a fumble recovery and a break-up. Defensive back Bryce Jones would go on to sign a rookie free agent NFL contract.

Nine Zips were named to the 2016 Academic All-Mid-American Conference team, including defensive backs Nathan Bischof, Bryce Jones and Vince Lockett. Defensive back Larry Hope went on to sign a rookie free agent NFL contract as well.

In 2015, the Zips’ defense dominated Mid-American Conference play. Akron’s rushing defense (92.9) led the conference while ranking third nationally. Junior cornerback DeAndre Scott was seventh nationally in total interceptions (6), 12th in interceptions per game (0.5) and 22nd in passes defended (1.3). Senior cornerback John Senter earned Academic All-MAC honors.

The 2014 season saw the Zips post 13 interceptions – 38th most in Division I football. Junior corner Kris Givens, in his first season as a Zip, finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 45 (25 solo) to go along with two interceptions and four breakups. Four Zips grabbed multiple interceptions, led by senior cornerback Martel Durant’s three interceptions. As a unit, Akron corners posted three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Sophomore corner DeAndre Scott, a third team All-MAC honoree, scored his first collegiate touchdown, returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo. The INT score was the first by an Akron cornerback in more than two years.
Mounds, who played safety for Bowden at Auburn during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, joined the Zips’ staff after serving as defensive backs coach at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi. His résumé also includes two seasons on the defensive staff at Texas Tech (2010-11), and two years as coach of the secondary at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (2008-09) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His professional playing career featured time in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and Arena Football League (AFL).

At Holmes CC, Mounds coached former Zip Kris Givens. He and teammates Tee Shepard and Jamie Jamison earned All-MJCAA honors in 2013.

While at St. Thomas Aquinas, Mounds tutored LaMarcus Joyner, who was named the National Defensive Player of the Year and went on to play at Florida State. He also coached Cody Riggs (Florida), Brian Robinson (Marshall), Keyon Payne (Miami), Ronnie Kennedy (Central Michigan) and Desmond Southward (Wisconsin). Joyner (St. Louis Rams), Riggs (Tennessee Titans), Marcus Roberson (St. Louis Rams) and Southward (Atlanta Falcons) went on to play in the NFL.

Before his stint at Holmes CC, Mounds was head coach at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, for one season (2012). He also served as head coach and defensive coordinator for three seasons at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, Florida (2005-07). Mounds began his coaching career at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2000, where he was the secondary coach and defensive coordinator.

Notable players under his watch at Coral Springs Charter included Darius Butler (Connecticut/New England Patriots), Evan Landi (South Florida/New England Patriots) and Jamal Davis (Florida Atlantic).
 
After completing a four-year career at Auburn (1990-94), Mounds played one season in the CFL for the Birmingham Barracudas before a four-year stint in the AFL. While in the AFL, he competed for three different teams – Memphis (1996), Florida (1997-99) and Carolina (1999). He graduated from Auburn in 2003 with a degree in health promotions/sports and recreation management.

Mounds and his wife Myra have two sons – Otis Jr. and Myran, and two daughters – Oteria and Faith.