Paul Randolph is the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Rice under Owls head football coach Todd Graham.

Randolph guided the Owls development from the tentative first steps of embracing the 3-3-5 defensive scheme into a unit that posted its top two defensive efforts in the last two games as the Owls clinched their first bowl bid in 45 years.

Randolph's charges held both East Carolina and SMU off the scoreboard in the 4th quarter, allowing the Owls to rally to win both and earn a trip to New Orleans.

In addition to overseeing the Owls defensive gameplan, Randolph coached Rice's linebackers, turning an untested unit into a team strength. Sophomore Brian Raines developed into an All C-USA performer, while senior Marcus Rucker made a stellar transition from offense to defense, finishing among the team leaders in tackles. True freshman Terrance Garmon developed into a starter by season's end, collecting 16 tackles in the wins over East Carolina and SMU.

The new defensive scheme also turned the Owls loose on opposing quarterbacks, and they tied for the conference lead with 31 sacks that resulted in 225 yards lost.

Randolph, 40, is the only offensive or defensive coordinator in Conference USA who is a member of an ethnic minority.

He came to Rice after three seasons as the defensive ends coach at the University of Alabama, where he helped develop one of the top defenses in the country. He has previous coaching experience at West Virginia, Toledo, Illinois State, Valdosta State and Tennessee-Martin.

In 2005, Alabama led the nation in scoring defense (10.7 points per game) and was second in total defense (255.1 yards per game). The Crimson Tide also ranked in the top 10 in rushing defense (ninth, 94.3 yards per game) and pass defense (fifth, 160.8 yards per game) on its way to a victory over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. Alabama was also second nationally in total defense in 2004.

In the spring of 2004, Randolph was named one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation by rivals.com. The move to Rice reunited Randolph and Graham who worked together on the defensive staff at West Virginia in 2002. Graham was the co-defensive coordinator for the Mountaineers while Randolph coached the defensive line and special teams.

The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl is the fifth bowl game for Randolph as a coach: the 2001 Motor City Bowl with Toledo; the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl with WVU; and the 2004 Music City Bowl and 2006 Cotton Bowl with Alabama.

Randolph played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League, eight with Winnipeg (1988-95). He helped the Blue Bombers to Grey Cup titles in 1988 and '90. Then came two seasons (1996-97) as team captain and player-coach with the Montreal Alouettes. He was inducted into the Blue Bombers' hall of fame in 2002. He received his degree in electrical engineering technology from the University of Tennessee-Martin in 1990.