Issac Mooring is in his second season as the defensive line coach at Texas State after his defensive line helped the Bobcats rank among the nation’s top 40 teams in rushing defense. Texas State allowed 141.7 yards per game and was 43rd in third down defense after allowing a 36.1 conversion percentage in 2017.
Mooring came to Texas State after serving the previous four seasons as the defensive line coach at Gardner-Webb, where he coached three-time FCS All-American and All-Big South Conference lineman O.J. Mau. Mau was a finalist for the 2016 STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Award and earned All-American honors from STATS and the Associated Press in 2015. Mooring also tutored Jebrai Regan, who finished among league leaders in TFL and earned Second-Team All-Big South honors as a senior.
As a defensive unit, Mooring’s trench warriors helped Gardner-Webb finish No. 13 nationally in total defense and land in the top-25 in seven key statistical categories – including tackles for loss per game.
Mau earned All-Big South Conference and All-America honors in 2014 and graduate student Tyler Hough-Jenkins had a career-best season at end while earning Capital One Academic All-District III honors. GWU’s defense held its first three opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in 2014, with Mooring’s defensive front leading the charge.
In 2013, Shaquille Riddick was named an FCS All-American from eight different outlets. the FCS Co-Defensive End of the Year by College Football Performance Awards and finished fifth in final voting for the 2013 Buck Buchanan Award before being selected in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2015 NFL Draft.
End Preston Pemasa and nose guard OJ Mau also earned First-Team All-Big South Conference honors, with the Gardner-Webb trio taking up three of the four spots on that team. Mau also was named FCS All-American by Phil Steele’s College Football Magazine after putting together a dominant season in the middle of Gardner-Webb’s 3-4 scheme. As a team, Gardner-Webb moved up 96 spots nationally in total defense from the previous season, ranking No. 5 with a Big South Conference record 296.8 yards allowed per game. Gardner-Webb also led the league in sacks (27) and tackles for loss, with the tackles for loss average ranking No. 18 nationally. GWU also ranked No. 16 nationally against the run and was among the nation’s best on third down.
Mooring went to Gardner-Webb after coaching the defensive line at Division II North Greenville in 2012 when the Crusaders won five of their final six games, and collected 23 sacks and 76 tackles for loss throughout the season. Defensive linemen Michael Klein and Stefan Bynoe combined for 11 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 123 tackles. In addition, Mooring participated in the 2012 NFL/NCAA Coaches Academy in Dallas.
Mooring coached at Division III North Carolina Wesleyan from 2007-2011. There, he coached the defensive front for two seasons before serving as the offensive line coach from 2009-11. He was a part of two conference championships in 2007 and 2009 with undefeated 7-0 league records and a pair of NCAA Division III Playoff appearances. The Bishops finished 9-3 overall in 2007, and 8-3 in 2009. He also produced five All-USA South First-Team selections in defensive linemen Quinderra Spellman and LeRon Boykin in 2007 and 2008, and offensive linemen Cameron Deaver, Anthony Moore and Asmun Washington in 2009.
Washington earned all-conference honors for a second straight year and Josh Rogers was tabbed a Second Team selection in 2010. Sam Herring also was named Second Team All-USA South Conference in 2011. In addition, Kevin Burant earned honorable mention honors on the defensive front in 2007.
Boykin earned All-Region and Honorable Mention All-America honors in 2007 and was the Conference Player of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-American in 2009.
Mooring began coaching after playing at North Carolina, where he was a four-year letterman and two year starter in 2000-03. He played on the defensive front alongside Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers and All-American defensive tackle Ryan Sims in his first two years.
During the 2001 season, the Tar Heels had a 16-10 victory in the 2001 Peach Bowl against Auburn after they upset No. 6 Florida State, 41-9, in the school’s first victory against the Seminoles. The win was the first of five wins in a row as North Carolina ended the season winning eight of its last 10 games that year. He became a starter in 2002 and was one of North Carolina’s top defensive linemen as a junior and senior. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in communications.
Mooring helped Tarboro (N.C.) High School reach the Class 2A State Championship game as a senior when he earned All-County, All-Conference and All-Area honors. A two-way lineman, he helped Tarboro rush for 5,300 yards on offense, and collected 147 total tackles on defense.
He and his wife, Quanza, have five children – Sydnei, Trey, C.J., Isaiah and Daniel Jeremiah.
