Lou Ayeni enters his first season as running backs coach for the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was hired by the club on March 25.
Ayeni, who has 15 years of collegiate coaching experience, spent the previous five seasons (2018-22) as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator for Northwestern University. During his tenure, the Wildcats produced two Big 10 West Division titles (2018, '20) and won both the Holiday (2018) and Citrus (2020) Bowl.
In 2022, Ayeni oversaw the continued development of running back Evan Hull, who was coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season the year prior. Amongst running backs, Hull ranked Top-10 in the Big Ten in receptions (55—1st), receiving yards (546—1st), scrimmage yards (1,459—4th), rushing attempts (221—5th), rushing yards per game (76.1—8th) and net rushing yards (913—10th). Hull's 55 receptions and 546 receiving yards were also the most among all NCAA FBS running backs.
Under Ayeni's guidance in 2021, Hull posted 1,009 rushing yards on 196 carries (5.1 avg.) with seven scores. He also produced the second-most receptions (33) among Big Ten running backs, trailing only Michigan State's Connor Heyward (35).
In 2020, Northwestern compiled a 7-2 regular-season record and made an appearance in the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game. That season, Ayeni helped the offense rank fourth in the conference in rushing scores (16) and fifth in total net rushing yards (1,465).
Prior to his second stint at Northwestern, Ayeni spent four years at Iowa State University, working as running backs coach (2014-15) before being promoted to associate head coach & running game coordinator (2016-17).
In 2017, the Cyclones' offense led the nation in fewest fumbles (1) and produced the first season in program history in which the team did not lose a fumble in the regular season. Running back David Montgomery flourished under Ayeni that season, ranking second in the Big 12 in rushing attempts (258) and third in rushing yards (1,146) and rushing touchdowns (11) while earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.
With Ayeni overseeing running backs in 2015, Iowa State's ballcarriers helped the team average 182.0 yards per game on the ground, which marked the highest single-season total by the team since 2000. The Cyclones rushed for 200-plus yards in seven contests that season.
Running back Mike Warren totaled a prolific freshman season under Ayeni in 2015, leading all freshmen with 1,339 rushing yards. He was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year as well as a unanimous selection for Freshman All-American.
Before Iowa State, Ayeni spent time at the University of Toledo and performed the role of running backs coach (2010) and associate head coach & running game coordinator (2011-13). During Ayeni's four years on staff, the Rockets qualified for a bowl game three times and finished second in rushing touchdowns (101) and rushing average (5.0). Toledo also ranked third in rushing yards (203.0 ypg) and rushing attempts (2,053).
Running back David Fluellen, who finished his career ranked fourth all-time in Toledo program history with 3,336 rushing yards, earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2012 and '13 under Ayeni, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He led the conference in 2013 in yards per carry (6.7) and posted the 12th-most rushing yards (1,498) in the country in 2012.
Ayeni also oversaw the development of running back Kareem Hunt in 2013, who he recruited to the school. In his lone season under Ayeni, Hunt finished second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in yards per carry (6.3) behind Fluellen while ranking ninth in the conference in rushing (866). Hunt went on to be drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (86th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft and lead the NFL in rushing (1,327) in 2017.
In 2010, Ayeni's unit helped the team rank third in the conference in rushing (167.4 ypg). He also coached the kickoff return unit that led the MAC in kickoff return average (29.1) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (3).
Returning to his alma mater to start his coaching career, Ayeni spent two years as a graduate assistant for Northwestern (2008-09).The program won 17 games during his two seasons on staff while making consecutive bowl games for the first time since 1995-96.
Ayeni participated in the Bill Walsh Coaching Internship and worked with the Chicago Bears during the team's training camps in 2009 and '13. Through the internship, Ayeni also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons during team minicamp in 2013.
A member of Northwestern's Big Ten Championship team in 2000, Ayeni began his collegiate playing career as a running back before switching to safety as a senior. After graduating in 2003 and serving as a team captain during his senior season, Ayeni played safety for the Indianapolis Colts (2004-05) before switching to linebacker and joining the St. Louis Rams (2005-06).
A native of Woodbury, Minn., Ayeni and his wife, Patrice, have two sons, Jayden and Kyler, and a daughter, Rielyn.
Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator 2018-22
Graduate Assistant 2008-09
Assoc. Head Coach/Running Game Coord. 2016-17
Assoc. Head Coach/Running Game Coord. 2011-13
