Justin Stovall is no stranger to the Ivy League, coming to University City after 11 seasons at Columbia, serving as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator the past three campaigns.
Stovall’s defense was a key component to Columbia capturing the 2024 Ivy League title. The Lions allowed just 16.1 points per game – good for No. 2 in FCS and led the Ivy League in four categories (scoring defense, red zone defense, passing defense, passing efficiency defense) en route to a 7-3 overall mark and 5-2 record in Ivy League play.
Under his guidance, defensive back Hayden McDonald earned All-America honors from five different publications/organizations. McDonald led the conference with five interceptions and was the program’s first-ever defensive finalist for the Bushnell Cup, given to the Ivy League’s top offensive and defensive player. Additionally, six of Columbia’s 11 starters on defense picked up All-Ivy League honors, highlighted by first-team selections for McDonald and defensive lineman Ben Corniello.
In 2023, Stovall’s defense was one of the top units in the country, holding opponents to 18.2 points per game – good for No. 10 in FCS and first in the Ivy League. The Lions posted a pair of shutouts against Georgetown and Marist, which was the most in a season for Columbia since 1972 and marked the first back-to-back home shutouts since 1951.
The Lions were also fourth in the nation in red zone defense (66.7 percent) and led the Ancient Eight in defensive touchdowns (two).
Individually, linebacker Anthony Roussos emerged as a first-team All-Ivy League selection after posting 93 tackles, which were among the top 10 nationally and second in the conference. Justin Townsend continued to be one of the premier pass rushers in the conference on his way to second-team all-league honors. Townsend tied for the Ivy League lead in sacks (7.5) and posted 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, which was second in the Ancient Eight.
In 2022, the Columbia defense finished the season ranked fifth in the FCS in rushing defense as the Lions gave up an average of just 3.17 yards per rush and 98 yards per game, which led the conference. The Lions also showed an uncanny knack for getting off the field, leading the Ancient Eight in third-down defense (36.1 percent) and ranked No. 1 in FCS in fourth-down defense (20.0 percent). Columbia also scored defensive touchdowns in three straight games in 2022 for the first time in program history. The three defensive scores led the Ivy League and set a new program record.
Stovall coached four All-Ivy League honorees in his first season leading the defense, including Scott Valentas, a unanimous First Team All-Ivy Defense selection. Valentas had a great season as he ranked third in the Ivy League with 9.3 tackles per game. Valentas led the league in passes defended at 1.3 per game and interceptions with four total.
Stovall also helped Townsend earn Second-Team All-Ivy Defense honors, while Fara’ad McCombs and Seth Parker were recognized as Honorable Mention All-Ivy. Townsend totaled six sacks, which ranked fourth in the Ivy League. He also led the team in tackles for loss with 9.5.
In the 2021 season, Mike Roussos, who earned first-team All-Ivy League honors, finished ranked 14th nationally and third in the league in punt return average and 18th in the nation in combined kick return average (547). Along with Roussos’ honors, linebackers Cam Dillon and Scott Valentas earned second-team honors, and punter Drew Schmid gained honorable mention.
As a kickoff unit, the team finished seventh in the nation in kickoff return yards average (25.08) and first in the league.
Under Stovall from 2015-19, Columbia established 44 new team and individual special teams school records, led the league 13 times in various special teams categories, including blocked kicks, kickoff return average, punt return average, net punting average, kickoff coverage, on-side kicks, and PAT kicking, and also ranked among the top-20 national leaders in 21 different categories. Meanwhile, a total of three placekickers, four punters, and two return specialists have earned All-Ivy League honors during that span, and four punters graduated from Columbia and pursued a fifth year of NCAA eligibility at various Southeastern Conference schools (Cameron Nizialek, Parker Thome, Matthew Panton, and Oren Milstein).
Stovall arrived at Columbia after spending the 2014 season in the same capacity at Valparaiso. The Crusaders finished the season ranked first in the conference in punt return average (14.9 yds), kickoff return average (21.8 yds), blocked kicks (six), and special teams touchdowns (three). Valpo's kickoff return unit paved the way for Jarrett Morgan, as a freshman, to lead the FCS in kickoff return average (34.9 yds).
Before his one season at Valparaiso, Stovall served as the Outside Linebackers Coach at Lehigh during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The Mountain Hawks finished 10-1 with a nine-game win streak in 2012 and compiled an 8-3 record in 2013.
In 2011, Stovall served as a defensive assistant at Villanova, where he assisted the defensive and special teams coordinators in all areas, organized the scout team offense and special teams, and worked with all aspects of film.
Before Villanova, Stovall coached linebackers at Franklin and Marshall College for three seasons (2009-11), while assisting the defensive coordinator. He assisted in the development of the linebackers and helped implement defensive game plans. Stovall was then promoted to Special Teams Coordinator in April of 2011, developing and implementing punt return schemes while working with the specialists. He also had extensive recruiting responsibilities.
A four-year letterwinner and three-time Patriot League Champion at Lafayette College from 2003-06, Stovall helped lead the Leopards to league titles and FCS Playoff berths in each of his final three seasons. A senior captain in 2006, Stovall saw action in 46 of 47 career games at both linebacker and on special teams.
A Melbourne, Fla. native, Stovall graduated from Lafayette in 2007 as an Economics and Business major.
