Brian Borland - Football - Kansas Jayhawks

Brian Borland

TITLE Defensive Coordinator
PHONE 864-3392

Bio

Brian Borland is in his third season as defensive coordinator at Kansas after joining the staff alongside KU head coach Lance Leipold in May 2021.

In three seasons at Kansas, Borland has coached 12 All-Big 12 selections, one Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year (Austin Booker, 2023), one NFL Draft pick (Kyron Johnson, 2021) and two others who signed to play in the NFL as undrafted free agents (Lonnie Phelps & Caleb Sampson, 2022).

In 2023, Kansas ranks fourth in the Big 12 in total defense and sixth in scoring defense. KU is also tied for second in the league with 26 tackles for loss and fifth in the league with 12 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns. The 2023 season saw a two-win improvement from 2022 as the Jayhawks finished the regular season with eight wins for the first time since 2007. Kansas will appear in a bowl game for the second consecutive season, a feat accomplished by Kansas Football just once in program history.

The Jayhawks were led by Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Austin Booker, who ranked third in the league in sacks and sixth in tackles for loss, and First Team All-Big 12 cornerback Cobee Bryant, who recorded three interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown against BYU. Safety Kenny Logan Jr. earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors after leading the Jayhawks in tackles for the fourth-straight season, while cornerback Mello Dotson and defensive end Jereme Robinson received honorable mention from the conference.

Borland guided KU’s defense in 2022 as the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2008 and reached the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2009. Kansas started the season 5-0 and hosted ESPN’s College Gameday for the first time in program history.

Complementing a record-breaking offense, Buffalo’s defense also had a strong season in 2020. The Bulls led the Mid-American Conference in total defense (360.4) and ranked second in the league in scoring defense (21.9). Buffalo led the MAC in sacks for the second straight year with 20 in a shortened season, which the Bulls went 6-1. Three members of the Buffalo defense were named All-MAC in 2020.

In 2019, Borland oversaw a defense that was arguably one of the best in school history. The Bulls led the MAC and ranked seventh in the nation in total defense, allowing 291 yards per game. Buffalo was especially stout against the run, allowing only 94.2 yards per game – good for fourth best in the national rankings and tops in the conference. Seven members of the Buffalo defense were named All-MAC in 2019.

Buffalo ranked third in the MAC in total defense in 2018, allowing 355.4 yards per game – less than two yards per game behind first place. The Bulls ranked second in the conference with 14 interceptions in 2018. It was the most by a Buffalo team since 2013. Eight different players recorded interceptions on the year.

Borland led a unit that ranked fifth in the MAC in scoring defense (24.8) in 2017 and had three defensive players were named All-MAC.

In 2016, Borland guided a defense that led the MAC and ranked 13th in the nation in pass defense, allowing 181.5 yards per game.

The Bulls were a very opportunistic defense in 2015, as they scored a school-record seven defensive touchdowns (by seven different players) to rank second in the nation. Three members of Borland’s defense were named to the All-MAC team in 2015.

Borland also oversaw the development of five players who were either drafted or signed as NFL free agents during his time at Buffalo, while 20 defensive players earned all-conference honors during his tenure.

Prior to Buffalo, Borland spent the previous 21 seasons at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Since 2002, Borland served as the Warhawks defensive coordinator.

Borland began at UW-W in 1994, also serving as the defensive backs coach. He was a 2015 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.

Borland was named Division III Coordinator of the Year in 2013 by Footballscoop.com after helping lead the Warhawks to the NCAA Division III national championship, the team’s fifth in seven seasons. UW-Whitewater led the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 9.1 points per contest, and ranked No. 1 in the country in fumbles recovered (19) and turnovers forced (44) in 2013.

From 2009-14, Borland’s defenses led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and ranked among the top 20 in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense. The Warhawks also led the league in pass efficiency from 2010-13. During his time at Wisconsin-Whitewater, Borland coached at least one first-team all-conference player at his position from 1994 to 2014. He also coached the D3Football.com National Defensive Player of the Year on three separate occasions (2006, 2008 and 2013).

Borland earned Wisconsin Collegiate Assistant Coach of the Year honors from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association in both 2004 and 2006. In 2009, Borland led the Warhawks to the fourth-best scoring defense in Division III. In 2010, the Warhawks were ranked second in NCAA Division III in run defense. In 2011, Borland’s rushing defense was ranked first in the WIAC.

From 1994-2002, Borland also coached track and field at UW-Whitewater. In 2000, he led the Whitewater women’s track and field team to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He earned NCAA D-III national coach of the year honors for his successful season.

Prior to Whitewater, Borland was the defensive coordinator for three years at Baker University (Kan.) from 1991-93, and at the University of Minnesota-Morris from 1989-90. He also was the head women’s softball coach at Baker University and head track and field coach at Minnesota-Morris. Borland’s other stops include stints as a graduate assistant football coach at the University of Florida and at the University of Wisconsin. He also coached defensive backs at Arizona Western College.

Borland played his college football at Morningside (Iowa) College (1981-84) where he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at defensive back, and a team captain.

He has a wife, Gayle, and two sons, Evan and Jaren. Jaren Borland is currently the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Angelo State football team.

The Borland File
Alma Mater: Morningside College, 1985
Wife: Gayle
Children: Evan and Jaren

Coaching Experience 
YearsUniversityRole
2021-PresentKansasDefensive Coordinator
2015-21BuffaloDefensive Coordinator
1994-2014Wisconsin-Whitewater Assistant Coach
1991-94Baker UniversityAssistant Coach
1989-91Minnesota-MorrisDefensive Coordinator
1988-89FloridaGraduate Assistant
1986-88Arizona WesternAssistant Coach
1985-86WisconsinGraduate Assistant

 Bowl Game Experience 
YearBowlSchool
2023Guaranteed Rate BowlKansas
2022AutoZone Liberty BowlKansas
2020Camelia BowlBuffalo
2019Bahamas BowlBuffalo
2018Dollar General BowlBuffalo
1989Freedom BowlFlorida
1988All-American BowlFlorida
Football 🎙 Jayhawker Podcast: Brian Borland

Today on the Jayhawker Podcast, we’re talking with Kansas Defensive Coordinator Brian Borland and Mission Coordinator “Sticky” James Elliot and Pilot “Mojo” Jared Anderson.