Rodman Noel, the newest linebackers coach for Eastern’s football team, was a former linebacker at North Carolina State and member of the Cleveland Browns. 

Noel is originally from Everett, Massachusetts, and comes from an athletic family.  

His older brother Jim Noel played football at Boston College; his younger siblings played basketball. 

His brother, Nerlens Noel, played basketball at the University of Kentucky and was the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft. His sister, Nashdah Noel, played basketball at Texas A&M International.  

“We grew up playing sports together; in the backyard, at the park, that’s where we built our competitive edge with one another,” Rodman Noel said. “I think that’s what allowed us to go far in life with sports.” 

Rodman Noel began playing Pop Warner Youth Football at the age of 7 because of Jim Noel. When Jim Noel got invited by his friends to a football practice, Rodman Noel found out about it and immediately followed his brother. 

“We were only 11 months apart, so whatever he was going to do, I was old enough to do too,” Rodman Noel said. 

When Rodman Noel was only a freshman in high school, he realized he could play football at the collegiate level.  

“Jim [Noel] was a sophomore and started to be recruited by top Division I programs, and once I started to see that, I realized to myself, ‘That could be me as well,’” Rodman Noel said. “I started to watch everything my brother did, and I really wanted to mimic and replicate everything he did because I knew I wanted to be right behind him with the success he had and go into college as well.” 

Rodman Noel’s junior year of high school was when Division I programs started looking at him, including N.C. State, Maryland, Boston College, Syracuse, UConn, Pittsburgh and Miami.  

Noel was a four-star prospect in high school, and he was also nominated to the All-American Bowl, a bowl game that many top high school players play in.  

Despite following his brother in the beginning of their football careers, Noel did not follow him to Boston College. Because he lived only 20 minutes away from Boston College, Rodman Noel felt like it wouldn’t be a new experience, and he was there many times to watch his brother play. 

Noel ultimately chose N.C. State to pursue his collegiate athletic career. 

He played as a true freshman at the safety position and special teams then moved to linebacker in his sophomore year. 

Entering the fall of his senior year, Noel had been motivated like never before because of spring practices. 

“I was third on the depth chart when I thought I was supposed to be first, and that’s what lit a fire under me because I knew I was supposed to be first,” Noel said. “I felt disrespected, but I knew it was up to me to do something about it.” 

By the end of spring ball, Noel was the starting linebacker. During his senior season, Noel led the team in tackles and was a captain for the Wolfpack.  

Noel knew he put enough work in to get the opportunity to achieve his goal of playing in the NFL, and after the NFL draft, he got a call from a team: the Cleveland Browns. 

“It was surreal, knowing that all the work I had put in actually paid off,” Noel said 

The Browns invited Noel to their rookie training camp for him to try out for the team. Noel impressed the Browns organization and went on to sign a contract with the team. Noel said he was ecstatic when he signed his contract. 

However, after working his whole life to get to the NFL, Noel’s stint got cut short due to a back injury that started when he was a senior in college. His injury proceeded to get worse over time.  

This injury prevented Noel from playing at his peak on a consistent basis. 

“I saw a team doctor, and [they] informed me that I could have kidney stones,” Noel said. 

Shortly after meeting with the team doctor, Noel was cut from the Browns. Being cut from the team was a reality check for Noel that showed him that the NFL is a business. 

“I was more surprised and shocked than anything,” Noel said. “I had plans of playing in the NFL for a few years, and I didn’t have a backup plan and didn’t know what to do. I was in a space where I wasn’t there mentally because football was all I knew.” 

Throughout the two years after Noel was cut, he focused on getting his back healthy so he could make a comeback in the NFL. 

Noel was away from football for five years before getting an opportunity to coach high school football at Alonzo & Tracy Mourning High School in Miami, coaching linebackers and being the special teams coordinator. 

After one year in Miami, Noel was referred by David Hampton to be graduate assistant at Southwest Baptist University where he earned his master’s degree. 

After two years at Southwest, Eastern’s current defensive coordinator Andrew Strobel messaged Noel about a coaching job at Morehead State University. 

“He asked me about my coaching situation at Southwest Baptist,” Noel said. “I was graduating as a GA and looking to get a full-time job. Coach Strobel interviewed me, and I did well enough to get the job.” 

At Morehead State, Noel coached the linebackers for the 2023 season. 

The following season, Noel packed up to the University of West Georgia as their special teams and linebackers assistant coach. Being an assistant wasn’t the role Noel was looking for and wanted to lead a linebacker room again. 

With the opening of the linebacker coach at Eastern, Strobel called Noel and asked if he was interested. 

“First, he is a great person who happens to be a great coach as well,” Strobel said. “I felt like his past experiences would fit what we are trying to do here at EIU. I am excited to have him here and have enjoyed watching him coach this group of linebackers.” 

Noel said he’s been trying to build relationships with the linebacker group early on, and ever since he arrived at Eastern, he’s noticed the hard work the linebackers have put into their game thus far. 

Noel’s coaching is working for the linebackers early on in spring practices. 

“Coach Noel brings a developmental style to the linebacker room, making sure every guy in the room is getting coached up on what they need to focus on in practice,” redshirt senior linebacker Phoenix Porter said.  

Redshirt senior linebacker Jesse Garza appreciates how eager Noel is to help them. 

“Coach Noel played at a high level, worked with our defensive coordinator before, and is eager not just to teach us how to play linebacker but about football as a whole,” Garza said. 

Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at cathomas8@eiu.edu.