Chi-Emeke Worthington is a 21-year coaching veteran and JCSU Alum class of 2004. Coach Worthington re-joined the JCSU Football staff for his second stint as its Co-Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive backs coach in March 2022, after spending two seasons (2020-22) as Defensive Backs Coach and Academic Coordinator. He also has had coaching stops at Walsh University, Ouachita Baptist, Bethel College, Marian University as well University of Iowa.
In 2023 Worthington was a part of the staff that had the #1 Defense in the Country in Division II. As the Safeties Coach for JCSU the Golden Bulls in 2023 were 7th in D2 in Passing Yards Allowed, 6th in Rushing Yards Allowed, 2nd in First Downs allowed, and 2nd in 3rd Down Defense. Worthington led a unit that blocked 7 kicks on PAT/FG’s with 2 Returns for TD’s to help the Golden Bulls to tie for the 2nd most blocked kicks in D2. Coach Worthington KO unite led the CIAA in return avg. of 17.14 yards per return. Worthington Coached Freshman Safety Tynan Tucker to the All-CIAA Rookie Team recognition.
In Coach Worthington 1st season back in 2022, the Golden Bulls pass defense made a drastic jump from 2021, improving 102 spots from 120th up to 18th nationally in Passing Yards Allowed per game at 161.9 YPG. While at UNC Pembroke He developed 2021 Spring MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year Dante Bowlding, Devin Jones UDFA CB/KR Carolina Panthers- 1st Team All-MEC CB (21Spr) & KR (21Spr/21FL), Dante Bowlding Spring 21 Hon. Mention and Fl 21 2nd Team All-MEC, John Jones Fl 21 2nd Team All-MEC. In Fall 21 UNCP finished tied for 7th Nationally in INT’S per game at 1.5. Worthington provided a bit of electricity in three seasons (2017-2019) at the helm of the Johnson C. Smith defensive backs as the Golden Bulls registered 26 interceptions over that span, including 11 Int’s in 2017 that helped fuel the nation's third-best passing defense. Redshirt junior Cameron Willis hauled in five interceptions and broke up seven passes in 2019 on the way to All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference laurels. Prior to returning to North Carolina, Worthington served a pair of roles on the defensive staff at Walsh in North Canton, Ohio, including a stint as the defensive coordinator for the Cavaliers. With Worthington calling the defensive formations in 2017, Walsh ranked 39th, nationally, in passing yards allowed, fewest yards allowed per game defensively since transitioning to Division II and 5 defensive players went on to earn all-conference accolades from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). In 2 seasons he coached 4 All-Conference players.
In 2014, Worthington was the Cornerbacks coach at Ouachita Baptist University, which finished ranked seventh nationally in the final Division II Poll of the regular season. The team went 10-0, in the Great American Conference Champions and received the No. 1 Seed in Super Region 3 of the Division II playoffs. Finishing in the second round of the playoffs 10-1 and a No. 9 ranking in the final Division II poll finishing #11 in the nation in total defense. Prior to Ouachita Baptist, Coach Worthington was the Co. Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator at Bethel College where he was integral in the rebuilding of the program spearheading the recruitment of 73 student-athletes in the 2013 class. In 2012, at Marian University as the Defensive Backs Coach the Knights led the nation in interceptions with 27, ranking #11 nationally in total defense after in 2011 leading the nation in Defense on all levels of college football, winning the NAIA National Championship and being Back to Back MSFA Conference Champions.
Prior to Marian University he spent four seasons at NC Tech Prep, including the last two as Defensive Coordinator and three years as Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. While serving in his role as Recruiting Coordinator over 30 athletes went on to FBS and FCS programs.
Worthington was spent 2 years at the University of Iowa serving as a Recruiting Assistant, responsible for the recruiting areas of Florida, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and New Jersey. Worthington has played a role in the development of eight professional players over his coaching career, including Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) who was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 National Football League Draft. A four-year letterwinner at Johnson C. Smith from 2000-03, Worthington was decorated with Football Gazette All-South Region honors at free safety as a senior in 2003. A member of the honors program at JCSU. He earned dean's list recognition four times, as well as a spot on the CIAA's all-academic team. He was a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2004), United States Achievement Academy Collegiate Award Winner (2001), Charlotte Touchdown Club Scholarship Recipient awarded Dec. 9, 2002 and CIAA Conference All-Academic Team (2003).
Worthington earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Johnson C. Smith in 2004, and completed his Master’s Degrees in athletic administration and cultural studies at Iowa in 2007.
He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc and was initiated at Rho Chapter of JCSU in Spring 2002. Serving as Basileus as an Undergrad at Rho Chapter 2003-2004, and at Eta Upsilon Graduate Chapter in Iowa 2005-2007.
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