Austin Peay State University Athletics

Darien Moody joined Austin Peay in 2026 as defensive line coach after four seasons leading the defensive front at Samford. He oversees the Governors' defensive linemen while assisting with recruiting and defensive game preparation. 

Moody arrives in Clarksville after helping Samford consistently rank among the FCS leaders in sacks, tackles for loss and run defense. His coaching experience also includes stops at Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State and Southern Miss, and he was a two-time first-team All-SWAC defensive end during his playing career at Alcorn State.

MOODY’S CAREER SUMMARY

Austin Peay (2026-CURRENT)

2026: Named to Jeff Faris’ coaching staff in Jan. 2026 to coach the defensive line.

Samford (2022-25)

2025: Coached two All-SoCon linemen in Donovan Grayson and Conroy Cunningham II in his final season in Birmingham. 

2024: Samford program finished third in the SoCon in sacks (34.0) in 2024, led by Jamall Thompson (6.0) and Conroy Cunningham II (5.0) on the defensive line. The Bulldogs finished fourth nationally with 3.09 sacks per game and ranked 11th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (110.2).  

2023: Instructed one of the stingiest red zone defenses in the nation; Samford finished the season ranked sixth in red zone scoring defense (68.3 percent)

2022: Helped lead a much-improved defense that helped lead Samford to its best season in over 30 years, posting a record of 11-2 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs won the program’s first-ever outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991. Under Moody’s tutelage, defensive lineman Seth Simmer was named second team All-SoCon.

Alcorn State (2020-21)

2020-21: Joined the staff at his alma mater as defensive line coach ahead of the COVID-19-shortened season; remained on staff for the 2021 campaign, where the Braves went 6-5 and finished second in the SWAC West Division. 

Mississippi Valley State (2019)

2019: Served as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator under Vincent Dancy at Mississippi Valley State, leading the Delta Devils to a red-zone defense that ranked 13th (71.8 percent) nationally. Under Moody’s tutelage, Jerry Garner led the SWAC with nine sacks and was an all-conference selection. 

Southern Miss (2018)

2018: Went to work under head coach Jay Hopson as a defensive line coach, helping the Golden Eagles to a 6-5 record and a unit that ranked third in total defense (278.4 ypg) in FBS in 2018. Southern Miss surrenedered a CUSA-low 102.7 yards per game on the ground that season and led the nation in fewest first downs allowed (161).

Alcorn State (2017)

2017: Began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater under Fred McNair, working with the defensive line. The Braves won the SWAC East Division in 2017 and played in the SWAC title game.

COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER (2012-16)

A two-time All-SWAC player, Moody played 38 games over three seasons, registering 15 sacks. The Braves won the SWAC Championship and appeared in the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2014 before winning a second-straight league crown the following year. Moody began his collegiate career at Mesa Community College.