Bio

Randy Starks was named the 20th Eureka College football head coach on January 29, 2024. 

Starks joined Eureka with a wealth of coaching experience after recent stops at Loughborough College, Bakersfield College, Fresno State, and LaGrange College. In his most recent role at Loughborough, Starks was a defensive line coach, and at Bakersfield College, where he also assisted in recruiting and building a team’s playbook. 

Starks experience in coaching football was preceded by an outstanding playing career.

Starks spent 12 seasons in the NFL and had the opportunity to play for three different organizations: the Tennessee Titans (2004-08), the Miami Dolphins (2008-15), and the Cleveland Browns (2015-16). As a rookie for the Titans, Starks became a consistent starter, playing defensive tackle and nose tackle. In 2008, he made the move to Miami, where he spent the bulk of his career and quickly established himself as a staple player for the franchise. He was the first Dolphin in history to be selected to the Pro Bowl for two different positions: going in 2011 as a defensive end and 2013 as a nose tackle. Starks finished his time in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns (2015-16). In Cleveland, he was the leader of the Defensive Line Unit.

Prior to becoming a 3rd round (71st overall) pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Starks spent 3 years playing football at The University of Maryland. In his time as a Terrapin, Starks was a key part of Maryland’s defensive line, seeing action in every game of his collegiate career and starting every game of his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also an All-American.  As a sophomore, he was a second team All-ACC selection, recording 93 tackles, 6. 5 sacks, and 12.5 TFLs. And, as a junior, he was a first team All-ACC selection, posting 74 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 15.5 TFLs.

Following his impressive playing career, Starks quickly pursued his passion for coaching, which began with an internship as a part of the New York Jets organization where he served as an assistant defensive line coach in 2018.

Starks is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences—Exercise and Sport Science from Liberty University. He holds a Masters in Sport Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science (School of Public Health Family Science) from the University of Maryland, where he played before declaring for the NFL draft.