Bowling Green State University Athletics
Eddie George Adds Jaylon Bowden and Lorenzo Styles Sr. to Coaching Staff
March 17, 2026 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George has announced the hiring of Jaylon Bowden and Lorenzo Styles Sr. to the coaching staff. Bowden has been hired as the safeties coach, while Styles has been named a senior analyst working with the defensive line.
"Adding Jaylon Bowden and Lorenzo Styles to our staff is special for me on a personal level because it's truly about family," said George. "I've known Jaylon his entire life and have watched him grow into an outstanding young coach who is climbing the ranks the right way. And with Lorenzo, our relationship goes back to our days as teammates at Ohio State and then competing against one another in the NFL. I've seen firsthand the competitor and the man he is. Both bring grit, toughness and real gumption to the defensive side of the ball. Jaylon is an up-and-comer with a tremendous future in this profession, and Lorenzo brings a wealth of experience from the professional level all the way down to high school, where he's been part of championship programs. More than anything, they understand the culture we're building here and the standard that's being established as the foundation of this program."
Bowden replaces Derrick Jackson, who recently departed BGSU to assume a similar role at Louisville. Bowden comes to BGSU after working as the linebackers and secondary coach at Temple High School in Texas for three seasons. During his time at Temple, Bowden oversaw numerous all-district honorees and college commits spanning Power 4, Division II, Division III and NAIA.
"I am thrilled to join the BGSU football family as the safeties coach," said Bowden. "It's an honor to work alongside the incredible staff Coach George has assembled. Given the deep experience of this group and the winning tradition at BGSU, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the program's bright future."
Bowden spent 2023 at Wharton High School in Texas as a linebackers coach and was on staff at Sam Houston State in 2022 as a graduate assistant working with the defensive backs. He worked at St. Charles High School in Missouri during the 2019 and 2021 seasons as a secondary coach.
Bowden started his coaching career at Missouri Baptist as a graduate assistant in 2018, helping with the corners and safeties. He is a graduate of Lamar University, where he played football for two seasons. Bowden earned a bachelor's degree in general studies. He played in 19 career games over the 2016 and 2017 seasons for the Cardinals, amassing 89 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles as a defensive back. He spent his first two seasons at Blinn College. Bowden, the son 9-year NFL veteran and BGSU defensive coordinator Joe Bowden, also holds a master of science degree in sport management from Missouri Baptist.
Styles, a Super Bowl-winning linebacker for the St. Louis Rams (XXXIV), returns to coaching after most recently serving as the linebackers and safeties coach during his tenure at Pickerington Central High School, where he was from 2012-22. He was on staff in 2017 and 2019 when Pickerington Central won the state championships in both seasons. His son, Lorenzo Styles Jr., caught the game-winning touchdown pass in 2019.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected defensive staff," said Styles. "Being able to work alongside coaches like Clyde Simmons, Joe Bowden, Richard McNutt and the rest of the Falcons defensive coaches is truly exciting. I approach this role with a lot of humility and appreciation for the game, and I'm looking forward to collaborating, developing young men and helping build a physical, disciplined Falcons defense."
Styles also previously served as the head coach of the Marion Blue Racers (2012) of the United Indoor Football League. He spent the 2010 season with the Marion Mayhem (CIFL) as defensive line coach and was defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach of the Dayton Silverbacks (CIFL) in 2011. Styles started his collegiate coaching career at Ohio Dominican in 2010 and 2011 as the linebackers coach.
Styles appeared in 70 career games in the NFL over six years, split between the Atlanta Falcons (1995–96) and the St. Louis Rams (1997–2000). He was a two-time first-team Big Ten honoree at Ohio State (1993–94), where he was teammates with George. Styles was a third-round (77th overall pick) of the Falcons in the 1995 NFL Draft.
Styles' sons, Lorenzo Jr. and Sonny, were both members of Ohio State's 2024 national championship team. Both are expected to be drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
