Jeff Mills - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Jeff Mills

Title:
Senior Defensive Analyst
Email:
jmills1@iastate.edu
Phone:
515-294-6721

Jeff Mills joined the Iowa State football staff in February of 2021 and is in his second season as senior defensive analyst. He previously served three seasons as senior quality control for the defense.

A native of Urbandale, Iowa, Mills has more than 34 years of collegiate coaching experience.

The 2024 Cyclones had a record-setting season finishing 11-3 overall, the first double-digit win season in 133 years. Iowa State also finished 7-2 in conference action to reach the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game for just the second time. The Cyclones also won the Pop-Tarts Bowl with a 42-41 victory over No. 15 Miami.

The Cyclone defense allowed just 22.9 points per game and boasted one of the top defensive back units in the nation. ISU had 15 interceptions, ranking third among Big 12 teams and 22nd nationally. Iowa State shut out Houston in a Big 12 road game, the first conference road shutout since 1971.

Iowa State's 31 interceptions the last two seasons are tied for eighth-most nationally during the time.

All three ISU safeties earned All-Big 12 accolades in 2024, led by Malik Verdon being named to the second team. Jeremiah Cooper and Beau Freyler took home honorable mention honors.

In 2023, Iowa State finished 6-3 in the Big 12 (7-6 overall), just the third six win conference season in the history of the school.

Mills helped the team finish among the top three in the Big 12 in scoring defense (third, 22.8), total defense (second, 363.2) and rushing defense (second, 134.2).

Cornerback T.J. Tampa was a First Team All-Big 12 selection and became just the third Cyclone defensive back to earn All-America honors. Cooper (coaches) and Freyler (AP) also earned All-Big 12 honors.

The 2022 Cyclones had one of the best defenses in the Big 12 and nationally. The unit became just the third in league history to top the league in scoring defense (20.2), total defense (285.6), rushing defense (107.3) and passing defense (178.2). Will McDonald set the Big 12 career record with 34.0 sacks, including 16.5 the final two seasons of his career.

In 2021, the Cyclone defense was second in the Big 12 and ninth nationally in total defense at 310.5, only allowing two teams to amass 350 yards of offense en route to the school’s lowest total defensive output since 1984.

ISU also equaled its season record for sacks (33) and ranked ninth in the nation in passing defense (187.8) to earn a trip to the Cheez-It Bowl.

Prior to his arrival to Iowa State, Mills was the defensive coordinator at Houston Baptist from 2018-20.

Mills mentored All-American defensive end Andre Walker, who led the nation in sacks in 2019, linebacker Brennan Young, who led the Southland Conference and ranked fifth nationally in tackles per game, to all-league honors.

Mills was the head football coach at New Mexico Highlands (2015-16) and served as defensive coordinator at several other schools, including New Mexico, Youngstown State, Idaho and Nevada. He also had assistant coaching stops at Washington, Montana State, Drake and Western Washington.

Mills earned his first coaching opportunity as a graduate assistant at Washington, helping the Huskies won the Pac-10 championship and the Rose Bowl in 1990 and 1991. In 1991, Washington went 12-0 and claimed a share of the national championship.

Mills played quarterback and outside linebacker at Western Washington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communication in 1988. He has a son, Tyler, and a daughter, Amanda.

Coaching Experience
2021-present - Iowa State – Senior Quality Control/Defense
2018-20 - Houston Baptist – Defensive Coordinator
2015-16 - New Mexico Highlands – Head Coach
2014 - Indiana State – Defensive Line
2012-13 - New Mexico – Defensive Coordinator
2009-11 - Washington – Secondary
2007-08 - Youngstown State – Defensive Coordinator
2006 - Idaho – Defensive Coordinator
2004-05 - Idaho – Assistant Head Coach, Secondary
2000-03 - Nevada – Defensive Coordinator
1998-99 - Idaho – Defensive Coordinator
1995-97 - Idaho – Secondary
1992-94 - Montana State – Secondary
1990-91 - Washington – Graduate Assistant
1989 - Drake – Tight Ends
1988 - Western Washington – Outside Linebackers