Wilmington College

Rod Tolen joined the Quakers football coaching staff in the summer of 2025. 

Tolen comes to Wilmington College after spending a season as the Defensive Backs & Special Teams Coordinator at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. While with the Marauders, Tolen helped guide the defense to the most blocked kicks in NCAA Division II with 10 and they were 36th in passing yards allowed at 172.8 passing yards per game. He designed and guided weekly defensive back drills along with technical and mental development. In-game, he worked on defensive adjustments and managed game day substitutions and personnel.

Before Central State, Tolen worked on the coaching staff at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota for five seasons, with two of those coming as the Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach. His defensive system held opponents to 16 points per game over two seasons and he led the defensive operations of the defense, including practice design, drills and player evaluations.

He also worked at Fort Valley State University in Georgia for a season as the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach. Tolen guided the defensive back unit in technique, fundamentals, and confidence. He also led film study sessions, designed skill specific drills, and supported practice operations, among other duties.

*Last updated - June 16th, 2025*