Longtime CAA assistant coach Levern Belin rejoins the league as the Towson defensive line coach beginning in the 2023 season.
In 2024, defensive lineman Jurnee Dunbar earned All-CAA Second Team as was named the team's defensive MVP while Nchabanu Fortaboh earned a rookie camp invite by the Baltimore Ravens after leading the team with 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Two of Belin's players were recognized by the league in 2023: Jesus Gibbs, who was the team's sacks leader with six, the most for a Towson player since 2018, being All-CAA Second Team and Dion Crews-Harris, who moved from fullback to defensive line for 2023, being Honorable Mention All-CAA after having five sacks.
A 32-year collegiate veteran primarily with defensive line, Belin has worked at several CAA schools, including Delaware, Richmond and William & Mary. Each Delaware (2017-21) and Richmond (2012-16) had multiple FCS playoff appearances and combined for three CAA titles during his time at each school, including having the CAA sack leader in spring 2021.
He comes to Towson after a year at Shepherd, being a defensive line coach for a Rams team which went 13-2 and made a run to the NCAA DII semifinals.
In spring 2021 while at Delaware, the Blue Hens ranked third in FCS in scoring defense en route to the league title and an FCS semifinal appearance.
While at Richmond, eight Spider defensive lineman earned All-CAA recognition, including two, Kerry Wynn and Winston Craig, signing National Football League (NFL) contracts. Wynn played six seasons in the NFL, including 63 games with the New York Giants from 2014-18.
Belin was at Liberty from 2009-11, helping the Flames win a pair of Big South Conference titles. Defensive end Trey Jacobs earned a free agent contract with Washington.
He was at Virginia from 2005-08, being promoted to defensive line coach in 2006, helping the Cavaliers to the program's best total defense in 27 seasons at 289.5 yards a game. In 2007, he coached defensive end Chris Long, the Ted Hendricks Award winner and the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Long went on to play in the NFL for 11 years, being part of two Super Bowl champion teams: 2016 with New England and 2017 with Philadelphia.
Before Virginia, Belin spent a year at Northern Illinois, helping the Huskies win the 2004 Mid-American Conference title.
While at Maryland from 1999-2000, two defensive linemen would go on to NFL careers: Kris Jenkins made four Pro Bowls in his 10-year career while Delbert Cowsette signed contracts with Washington and Chicago.
Belin had a five-season stint at Ball State from 1994-98, coaching Keith McKenzie, who played eight years in the NFL. The Cardinals won the Mid-American title in 1996 to earn a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl.
He also had stops at East Tennessee State (1993) and Boston College (1991-92).
Belin graduated from Wake Forest in 1991 with a degree in speech communications rhetoric. He was a three-year starter for the Demon Deacons.
He and his wife, DeVida, have a son, Chase.
