Jason Palermo is in his fourth season as Governors offensive line coach. Palermo’s wealth of knowledge and energy will be invaluable for a young APSU offensive line in 2015.
In Spring 2012, he returned to the city and campus where he spent a year of his youth. Palermo, a former three-year letterman as an offensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin, is the son of former Austin Peay head coach John Palermo, who directed the program for one season (1990) before joining Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin. The elder Palermo recently retired from coaching at Pitt, one of 11 stops in the elder Palermo’s coaching career.
The younger Palermo was eight when his dad was APSU’s head man and then went to Madison, Wis., to enjoy an outstanding prep at Edgewood High School and college career. He was a three-year letter winner at Wisconsin as an offensive guard and center. He played professionally for both the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.
He began his coaching career under Pat Behrns at Nebraska-Omaha in 2009 as tight ends coach and while assisting with the offensive line. He helped coach Michael Higgins, a Division II All-American tight end who is now a member of the New Orleans Saints.
He then moved to Southern University and spent the last two seasons coaching tight ends, serving as special teams coordinator for former NFL great Stump Mitchell.
At Southern, he coached Virgil Williams, who ranked fifth national in 2011 kickoff returns as well as first-team All-SWAC punter Josh Duran and placekicker Williams Griswold. In addition, his tight end, Mike Berry, was named second-team
APSU is hopeful that Palermo can bring his insights from a Wisconsin program that annually produces one of the nation’s top offensive lines, including Outland Trophy and other award recipients along with high NFL draft choices.
As a freshman in 2001, Palermo was named the Scout Team Player of the Year and in 2005 was voted the Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation Award. After his senior year in 2005, he was invited to play in the 2006 Hula Bowl All-Star game in Honolulu. Off the field, Palermo was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in 2003.
He is married to the former Kaitlyn Beinlich. They have a daughter, Giabella.
