The 2025 season will mark Carlos Fields, Jr.'s fourth season as the Defensive Coordinator of the Virginia State University Football program after joining the program in 2022.
In the 2024 season, Defensive Coordinator Carlos Fields, Jr. led the Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans to impressive national defensive rankings:
- 16th in Passing Defense: The Trojans allowed an average of 174.5 passing yards per game.
- 12th in Scoring Defense: They limited opponents to an average of 16.3 points per game.
- 14th in Passing Efficiency Defense: Opposing quarterbacks were held to a passer efficiency rating of 104.7.
- 16th in Team Sacks: The defense recorded 3.0 sacks per game.
- 16th in Passes Intercepted: The Trojans secured 16 interceptions over the season.
- 13th in Turnovers Gained: They forced a total of 24 turnovers.
- 28th in Total Defense: VSU allowed an average of 292.8 total yards per game.
Standout performances from key defensive players drove these achievements:
- Carl Poole Jr.: The linebacker earned First Team All-Conference honors, leading the team with 85 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
- Donavon Howard: The safety also secured First Team All-Conference recognition, contributing 4 interceptions and 8 pass breakups.
- Marquis Edmond: As a freshman safety, Edmond was named the Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year, recording 31 tackles, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in seven starts.
- KJ McNeil: The linebacker earned Second Team All-Conference honors, registering 70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
- Jayshaun Alston: The defensive end was named to the All-Conference Second Team, achieving 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.
- Mustapha Coly: Another defensive end who earned Second Team All-Conference honors, Coly contributed 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks.
In the 2023 season, under the leadership of Defensive Coordinator Carlos Fields, Jr., the Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans' defense achieved remarkable national rankings:
- 3rd in Third Down Conversion Percentage Defense: The Trojans limited opponents to a 25.3% conversion rate on third downs.
- 4th in Passing Yards Allowed: The defense conceded an average of 139.1 passing yards per game.
- 7th in Passing Efficiency Defense: Opposing quarterbacks were held to a passer efficiency rating of 97.2.
- 6th in Total Defense: VSU allowed an average of 252.3 total yards per game.
Standout performances from key defensive players bolstered these accomplishments:
- Willie Drew: Nationally, he ranked second in pass deflections per game (2.2) and fourth in interceptions per game (0.6). His exceptional play earned him the titles of CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and First Team AFCA All-American.
- KJ McNeil: McNeil's impressive debut season garnered him the CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
- Miqueal Pillow-Smiley: His impactful performance earned him a spot on the All-CIAA Second Team.
In his first season, Coach Fields, Jr. guided the Trojans to a top-five rushing defense in the CIAA, and the Trojans' 21 sacks were top-five in the conference, as well. Additionally, there were three Virginia State All-CIAA selections on the defensive side of the ball in 2022.
- Zion Johnson: The linebackers earned the first-team All-CIAA honors.
- Willie Drew: The defensive back earned the first-team All-CIAA honors.
- Miqueal Pillow-Smiley: The defensive linemen earned second-team All-CIAA honors.
Before VSU, Fields served as the Assistant Defensive Line and Linebackers coach at Alabama A&M under Head Coach Connell Maynor. With Fields' support, the Bulldogs achieved a 7-3 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the SWAC, including a victory over the 2021 Celebration Bowl Champions, South Carolina State. Before Alabama A&M, Fields spent two seasons as the Assistant Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, and JV Linebacker Coach at Thomasville High School, where he also oversaw game day operations.
His coaching career began at his Alma mater, Winston-Salem State. At WSSU, Fields took on multiple roles within the Rams' football coaching staff, serving as a Defensive Assistant, Defensive Quality Control Assistant, and High School Relations Coordinator, among other responsibilities. After a distinguished football career, Fields chose to swap his shoulder pads and helmet for a hat and a headset. He is celebrated as one of the greatest Linebackers to don a WSSU jersey, having been a four-year starter and a two-time team captain. Fields earned recognition as a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-American Linebacker, and a three-time All-CIAA Linebacker.
During his four seasons at WSSU — from 2010 to 2013 — Fields amassed more than 300 tackles, including nearly 30 tackles for a loss, at linebacker. He was a part of the best team in CIAA history in 2012 when the Rams went 14-1 and lost to Valdosta State in the Division II NCAA Championship Game. Fields totaled a career-high 117 tackles with nine stops for a loss, nine pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles that season.
After graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Winston- Salem State University, he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft and signed with the Oakland Raiders. He then went on to play for nine NFL teams over three years before retiring after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fields and his wife, Taz, have a beautiful family with three children. Fields is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
