Completed Event: Field Hockey at American on September 7, 2025 , Win , 4, to, 1
FH
Final
James Madison
4
at American
1
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Staff Directory
Daniels, Sam
Sam Daniels
- Title:
- Defensive Line
- Phone:
- 540-568-6517
- Physical Address:
- Plecker APC 224 (220 Champions Dr.) / MSC 2201
Sam Daniels returned home to his alma mater and is in his second season with the James Madison football program in 2025, as he serves as the defensive line coach.
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In his first year back in Harrisonburg, he led one of the dominant defensive line groups in the FBS, helping JMU rank top 30 nationally in 14 defensive categories. That was highlighted by leading the country in turnover margin (1.54), 21st in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in total defense (321.8), leading the Sun Belt in both categories.
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JMU was also third in the FBS in both takeaways (29) and pick-sixes (4), fifth in defensive touchdowns (4), sixth in both sacks (3.15) and fumble recoveries (12), seventh in both interceptions (17) and pass efficiency defense (111.48), 12th on third-down defense (32.3%), 18th in tackles for loss (7.1), 23rd in first-down defense (17.46) and 26th against the run (115.4). The Dukes paced the SBC in 12 of those categories.
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The JMU defensive line led the country in interceptions for the position group, as four different linemen recorded an interception. The line was headlined by College Football Network Second Team All-American Eric O’Neill, who recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks, ranking fifth in the FBS sacks and sixth in TFL. Khairi Manns, who joined O’Neill as a HERO Sports Group of Five All-American, tacked on 12.5 TFL and 9.0 sacks, ranking top 20 in both categories. Immanuel Bush was also Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt to round out postseason awards.
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As a whole, JMU’s defensive line produced a pair of defensive touchdowns on pick-sixes while also tallying 49.5 tackles for loss, 30.0 sacks, 12 breakups, three fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles.
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Daniels returned home after spending two seasons as the defensive line coach at Delaware (2022-23). He helped the Blue Hens to a combined 17-9 record and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs during each season.
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In 2023, he coached Chase McGowan his fourth straight All-CAA Team, earning Second Team honors. The UD defense ranked 20th nationally with 6.8 tackles for loss per game. The 2022 season saw the Blue Hens record 24 sacks and rank second in the FCS in scoring defense (18.2) while also ranking third in total defense (282.6). Artis Hemmingway was selected Second Team All-CAA while McGowan earned All-CAA laurels for the third time in his career at that point.
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Prior to Delaware, Daniels spent two seasons at Richmond (2020-21) where he was defensive tackles coach. With the Spiders, the defense ranked among the top 25 nationally both seasons in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense. Daniels coached Kobie Turner to two All-America selections, and Turner was named the CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the shortened spring season in 2021, the first interior defensive lineman in the CAA to earn the award since 2011.
Before Richmond, Daniels spent one season at nearby Bridgewater College (2019), as well as three seasons at Shepherd University (2016-18), coaching the defensive line. He mentored Myles Humphrey to All-America honors in 2017 and 2018 as the school’s all-time sack leader earned PSAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades in 2017.
Daniels came to Shepherd after two seasons as the defensive line coach at Frostburg State University (2014-15) and two years at the Apprentice School (2012-13). He was the defensive coordinator, defensive line and recruiting coordinator at the Apprentice School in 2013 while serving as the defensive line and recruiting coordinator in 2012.
A native of Portsmouth, Va., Daniels was a two-time All-American and four-year letterwinner for the Dukes (2005-09). During his playing career, Daniels played in 47 career games with 159 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, one pass breakup and a blocked kick. He earned All-America accolades in both 2008 and 2009. Over his final two seasons, he recorded 24.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks on the defensive line, and he was JMU’s Defensive MVP and Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Daniels graduated from James Madison in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He earned his master’s degree in education from Frostburg State in 2016.
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In his first year back in Harrisonburg, he led one of the dominant defensive line groups in the FBS, helping JMU rank top 30 nationally in 14 defensive categories. That was highlighted by leading the country in turnover margin (1.54), 21st in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in total defense (321.8), leading the Sun Belt in both categories.
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JMU was also third in the FBS in both takeaways (29) and pick-sixes (4), fifth in defensive touchdowns (4), sixth in both sacks (3.15) and fumble recoveries (12), seventh in both interceptions (17) and pass efficiency defense (111.48), 12th on third-down defense (32.3%), 18th in tackles for loss (7.1), 23rd in first-down defense (17.46) and 26th against the run (115.4). The Dukes paced the SBC in 12 of those categories.
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The JMU defensive line led the country in interceptions for the position group, as four different linemen recorded an interception. The line was headlined by College Football Network Second Team All-American Eric O’Neill, who recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks, ranking fifth in the FBS sacks and sixth in TFL. Khairi Manns, who joined O’Neill as a HERO Sports Group of Five All-American, tacked on 12.5 TFL and 9.0 sacks, ranking top 20 in both categories. Immanuel Bush was also Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt to round out postseason awards.
Â
As a whole, JMU’s defensive line produced a pair of defensive touchdowns on pick-sixes while also tallying 49.5 tackles for loss, 30.0 sacks, 12 breakups, three fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles.
Â
Daniels returned home after spending two seasons as the defensive line coach at Delaware (2022-23). He helped the Blue Hens to a combined 17-9 record and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs during each season.
Â
In 2023, he coached Chase McGowan his fourth straight All-CAA Team, earning Second Team honors. The UD defense ranked 20th nationally with 6.8 tackles for loss per game. The 2022 season saw the Blue Hens record 24 sacks and rank second in the FCS in scoring defense (18.2) while also ranking third in total defense (282.6). Artis Hemmingway was selected Second Team All-CAA while McGowan earned All-CAA laurels for the third time in his career at that point.
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Prior to Delaware, Daniels spent two seasons at Richmond (2020-21) where he was defensive tackles coach. With the Spiders, the defense ranked among the top 25 nationally both seasons in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense. Daniels coached Kobie Turner to two All-America selections, and Turner was named the CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the shortened spring season in 2021, the first interior defensive lineman in the CAA to earn the award since 2011.
Before Richmond, Daniels spent one season at nearby Bridgewater College (2019), as well as three seasons at Shepherd University (2016-18), coaching the defensive line. He mentored Myles Humphrey to All-America honors in 2017 and 2018 as the school’s all-time sack leader earned PSAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades in 2017.
Daniels came to Shepherd after two seasons as the defensive line coach at Frostburg State University (2014-15) and two years at the Apprentice School (2012-13). He was the defensive coordinator, defensive line and recruiting coordinator at the Apprentice School in 2013 while serving as the defensive line and recruiting coordinator in 2012.
A native of Portsmouth, Va., Daniels was a two-time All-American and four-year letterwinner for the Dukes (2005-09). During his playing career, Daniels played in 47 career games with 159 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, one pass breakup and a blocked kick. He earned All-America accolades in both 2008 and 2009. Over his final two seasons, he recorded 24.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks on the defensive line, and he was JMU’s Defensive MVP and Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Daniels graduated from James Madison in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He earned his master’s degree in education from Frostburg State in 2016.
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