Recruiting Territories: Sections III, IV, VII, Vermont, Rhode Island
Jacob Lees M '22 joined the St. Lawrence University football team as the defensive coordinator on March 1, 2019.
In 2021, Lees helped the Scarlet and Brown match their 5-5 record from 2019. The Saints' continued to strengthen their defense allowing opponents to score significantly fewer points than in 2019. St. Lawrence finished the season with an average possession time of 29:50 and posted 12 interceptions, forced seven fumbles, broke up 34 passes and sacked the opposing quarterback 16 times.
In 2019, Lees helped the Saints more than double their win total from the 2018 season, improving to 5-5 on the year. The Saints' defense allowed fewer points per game and had a vastly improved run defense, allowing 400 fewer rushing yards on the season compared to 2018. The Saints finished the season with a slight edge over their opponents in time of possession on season after opponents had more than a 10-minute advantage in time of possession on average, and posted 14 interceptions on the season, up from just nine in 2018.
Lees spent five years as the defensive coordinator at the University of Rochester and was an assistant athletic director for the Yellowjackets for one year. As the football team's defensive coordinator, Lees oversaw all aspects of the defense and organized game plans and practice plans. Over the course of 10 seasons at Rochester, he coached 24 All-Liberty League selections, one CoSIDA Academic All-America selection, and one AFCA All-America player.
In addition to his roles as defensive coordinator and assistant athletic director at Rochester, Lees was the football team's recruiting coordinator for two years and spent seven years as the fitness center supervisor. He joined the staff at Rochester in 2008 as an NCAA Ethic Minorities and Women's Internship grant recipient. Prior to his time at Rochester, Lees had college football coaching stints at Utica, Hamilton and Buffalo State.
Lees holds an associate's degree from Alfred State, a bachelor's degree from Buffalo State and his master's from St. Lawrence.
Lees resides in Canton with his wife Becky and their children Amari and Mariah.
