Staff Directory
Hollowell, T.J.
T.J. Hollowell
- Title:
- Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends
T.J. Hollowell joined the Wake Forest Football coaching staff as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends ahead of the 2025 season. Hollowell brings in NFL playing experience and over 17 years of coaching experience at all levels.
Hollowell comes to Winston-Salem from Nebraska, where he was the recruiting coordinator for the 2024 season. According to Rivals, the Cornhuskers brought in the No. 17-ranked class in 2024.
Hollowell spent 2020-2023 with new Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton at Michigan State, where the duo helped the Spartans cap the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP) in 2021.
Prior to Michigan State, Hollowell was at Coastal Carolina working with the defensive ends and outside linebackers. Defensive end Tarron Jackson led the Sun Belt and set a new Coastal single-season record with 10.0 sacks on the season in 2019.
Hollowell spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic High School (2016-17), helping the Eagles to a 7-4 record and a 2017 MaxPreps.com national ranking of 49th overall.
Before his two-year stint at Santa Margarita, Hollowell spent one season at Youngstown State in 2015. The Penguins’ linebackers helped the YSU defense have one of its best campaigns in years. Lee Wright and Armand Dellovade earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades for their standout performances.
Hollowell, who was an assistant coach at Huntsville (Texas) High School in 2014, got his first taste of collegiate football working at his alma mater at Nebraska under Bo Pelini for four years (2010-13). As a defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers, Hollowell worked primarily with the linebackers during his tenure as well as the strength & conditioning staff.
Nebraska (2024):
Hollowell returned to his alma mater in 2024 as Recruiting Coordinator. The Cornhuskers brought in the No. 17 ranked class in 2024 according to Rivals, marking the highest-ranked recruiting class for Nebraska since 2020.
Michigan State (2020-2023):
Working with Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scott Hazelton as a defensive analyst for four seasons at Michigan State, Hollowell helped Cal Halady to another standout season in 2023 as he totaled 91 tackles and tied for seventh most in the Big Ten during the regular season. Haladay also led the team and tied for second in the Big Ten with two fumble recoveries, including a 42-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery at Iowa.
In 2022, Haladay led the Big Ten in tackles per game (10.0) and recorded the most tackles (120) of any Spartan since 2009. Haladay earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks following his performances in victories over No. 14 Illinois (nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Rutgers (career-high 19 stops). In addition, Jacoby Windmon split time at defensive end and linebacker for MSU, and in his first start at linebacker for the Spartans, he earned Big Ten and National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his role (11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble) in helping MSU to a double-overtime win against Wisconsin in Week 7. Graduate transfer cornerback Ameer Speed, in his lone season for the Spartans, started 11 games and was chosen in the sixth round (No. 214 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
A total of six Spartans earned All-Big Ten recognition on defense in 2021 as Michigan State capped the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP). Defensive tackle Jacob Slade, one of the highest-rated interior linemen in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, was a first-team All-PFF Big Ten honoree and a third-team choice by the media; he was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team following his six tackle performance (two sacks, 1.5 TFLs) in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win.
Slade earned an all-star game invite to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk closed his five-year Spartan career with career highs in sacks (7) and TFLs (11) to earn second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while safety Xavier Henderson picked up third-team honors after tying for the team lead with a career-high 96 tackles. Linebackers Quavaris Crouch and Haladay, along with defensive back Darius Snow, garnered honorable mention. Haladay also was named a Freshman All-American with his 96 tackles and two interception returns for touchdowns.
During his first season in East Lansing, Hollowell coached three All-Big Ten performers. Redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown tied for third in the nation with five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons led the team in tackles for the second straight year to pick up second-team all-league plaudits from the media, and defensive end Drew Beesley garnered honorable mention accolades. In addition, defensive tackle Naquan Jones had a career-high five TFLs and signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee; he went on to play 13 games for the AFC South champions during his rookie season in 2021.
Coastal Carolina (2018-2019):
In 2019, the Chanticleers went 5-7 overall, highlighting the season with a 12-7 win on the road at Kansas, the program’s first-ever win over a Power 5 opponent.
The Chants were competitive all season long, as seven of their 12 games on the season were decided by one score (eight points) or less.
The defense improved in every area from 2018 to 2019, as the “Black Swarm” defense led the Sun Belt in fewest first downs allowed (241), was third in interceptions (11), fourth in scoring defense (30.5 points allowed per game), fourth in total defense (383.6 yards per game), fourth in rushing defense (160.1 yards per game), fifth in fewest passing yards allowed (223.5 yards per game), and sixth in red-zone defense (85.7 percent).
Junior defensive end Tarron Jackson led the Sun Belt and set a new Coastal single-season record with 10.0 sacks on the season. He also led the team and ranked fifth in the Sun Belt with 13.0 tackles-for-loss, of which 9.5 came in conference play.
Working with the defensive line in 2018, the Chanticleers had two All-Sun Belt performers in first-team selection Jeffrey Gunter and third-team honoree Tarron Jackson. The duo combined for 107 tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries from their defensive end positions on the season. Fellow defensive tackles Jonathan Clayton and C.J. Brewer each had 29 tackles or more on the season, while fellow lineman Jalin Walker came on strong towards the end of the season with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss on the year.
Early coaching stops:
Hollowell spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic High School (2016-17), helping the Eagles to a 7-4 record and a MaxPreps.com national ranking of 49th overall in 2017.
Before his two-year stint at Santa Margarita, Hollowell spent one season at Youngstown State in 2015. The Penguins’ linebackers helped the YSU defense have one of its best campaigns in years. Lee Wright and Armand Dellovade earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades for their standout performances.
Hollowell, who was an assistant coach at Huntsville (Texas) High School in 2014, got his first taste of collegiate football working at his alma mater at Nebraska under Bo Pelini for four years (2010-13). As a defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers, Hollowell worked primarily with the linebackers during his tenure.
While working with the Husker defense in 2013, Hollowell helped linebacker Lavonte David earn the Big Ten’s Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker-of-the-Year award and first-team All-America honors.
In 2012, linebackers were two of the top four tackles for the Huskers. Will Compton led the team with an impressive 110 stops while Alonzo Whaley registered 65 tackles. Nebraska played in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Capital One Bowl while posting a 10-4 mark.
During the 2011 season, David and Compton were a strong 1-2 punch at the position. David had 133 tackles and was the team’s top tackler by 51 stops. Compton was second on the team with 82 total tackles. The duo combined for 20 TFLs and six sacks.
Hollowell spent the 2010 campaign as an intern assisting the coaching staff and the Husker strength and conditioning staff.
As a player:
Hollowell signed with the New York Giants as a free agent in 2004 and spent two seasons in the NFL. He played for the New York Giants in 2004 and the New York Jets in 2005, while also spending two training camps with the Denver Broncos. He also spent parts of two years in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Hollowell played four seasons at Nebraska from 2000 to 2003, totaling 173 career tackles in helping the Huskers to four bowl games, including the BCS National Championship Game in 2001. As a senior, he earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 recognition from the league coaches and the AP, totaling 80 stops, including eight tackles for losses. He tied Nebraska’s school record with eight pass breakups and was part of a defense that forced a school-record 47 turnovers.
Family:
Hollowell and his wife, Jessica, have two sons, Tommy and Kingston.
Postseason History
Coaching History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
Hollowell comes to Winston-Salem from Nebraska, where he was the recruiting coordinator for the 2024 season. According to Rivals, the Cornhuskers brought in the No. 17-ranked class in 2024.
Hollowell spent 2020-2023 with new Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton at Michigan State, where the duo helped the Spartans cap the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP) in 2021.
Prior to Michigan State, Hollowell was at Coastal Carolina working with the defensive ends and outside linebackers. Defensive end Tarron Jackson led the Sun Belt and set a new Coastal single-season record with 10.0 sacks on the season in 2019.
Hollowell spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic High School (2016-17), helping the Eagles to a 7-4 record and a 2017 MaxPreps.com national ranking of 49th overall.
Before his two-year stint at Santa Margarita, Hollowell spent one season at Youngstown State in 2015. The Penguins’ linebackers helped the YSU defense have one of its best campaigns in years. Lee Wright and Armand Dellovade earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades for their standout performances.
Hollowell, who was an assistant coach at Huntsville (Texas) High School in 2014, got his first taste of collegiate football working at his alma mater at Nebraska under Bo Pelini for four years (2010-13). As a defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers, Hollowell worked primarily with the linebackers during his tenure as well as the strength & conditioning staff.
Nebraska (2024):
Hollowell returned to his alma mater in 2024 as Recruiting Coordinator. The Cornhuskers brought in the No. 17 ranked class in 2024 according to Rivals, marking the highest-ranked recruiting class for Nebraska since 2020.
Michigan State (2020-2023):
Working with Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scott Hazelton as a defensive analyst for four seasons at Michigan State, Hollowell helped Cal Halady to another standout season in 2023 as he totaled 91 tackles and tied for seventh most in the Big Ten during the regular season. Haladay also led the team and tied for second in the Big Ten with two fumble recoveries, including a 42-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery at Iowa.
In 2022, Haladay led the Big Ten in tackles per game (10.0) and recorded the most tackles (120) of any Spartan since 2009. Haladay earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks following his performances in victories over No. 14 Illinois (nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Rutgers (career-high 19 stops). In addition, Jacoby Windmon split time at defensive end and linebacker for MSU, and in his first start at linebacker for the Spartans, he earned Big Ten and National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his role (11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble) in helping MSU to a double-overtime win against Wisconsin in Week 7. Graduate transfer cornerback Ameer Speed, in his lone season for the Spartans, started 11 games and was chosen in the sixth round (No. 214 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
A total of six Spartans earned All-Big Ten recognition on defense in 2021 as Michigan State capped the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP). Defensive tackle Jacob Slade, one of the highest-rated interior linemen in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, was a first-team All-PFF Big Ten honoree and a third-team choice by the media; he was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team following his six tackle performance (two sacks, 1.5 TFLs) in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win.
Slade earned an all-star game invite to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk closed his five-year Spartan career with career highs in sacks (7) and TFLs (11) to earn second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while safety Xavier Henderson picked up third-team honors after tying for the team lead with a career-high 96 tackles. Linebackers Quavaris Crouch and Haladay, along with defensive back Darius Snow, garnered honorable mention. Haladay also was named a Freshman All-American with his 96 tackles and two interception returns for touchdowns.
During his first season in East Lansing, Hollowell coached three All-Big Ten performers. Redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown tied for third in the nation with five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons led the team in tackles for the second straight year to pick up second-team all-league plaudits from the media, and defensive end Drew Beesley garnered honorable mention accolades. In addition, defensive tackle Naquan Jones had a career-high five TFLs and signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee; he went on to play 13 games for the AFC South champions during his rookie season in 2021.
Coastal Carolina (2018-2019):
In 2019, the Chanticleers went 5-7 overall, highlighting the season with a 12-7 win on the road at Kansas, the program’s first-ever win over a Power 5 opponent.
The Chants were competitive all season long, as seven of their 12 games on the season were decided by one score (eight points) or less.
The defense improved in every area from 2018 to 2019, as the “Black Swarm” defense led the Sun Belt in fewest first downs allowed (241), was third in interceptions (11), fourth in scoring defense (30.5 points allowed per game), fourth in total defense (383.6 yards per game), fourth in rushing defense (160.1 yards per game), fifth in fewest passing yards allowed (223.5 yards per game), and sixth in red-zone defense (85.7 percent).
Junior defensive end Tarron Jackson led the Sun Belt and set a new Coastal single-season record with 10.0 sacks on the season. He also led the team and ranked fifth in the Sun Belt with 13.0 tackles-for-loss, of which 9.5 came in conference play.
Working with the defensive line in 2018, the Chanticleers had two All-Sun Belt performers in first-team selection Jeffrey Gunter and third-team honoree Tarron Jackson. The duo combined for 107 tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries from their defensive end positions on the season. Fellow defensive tackles Jonathan Clayton and C.J. Brewer each had 29 tackles or more on the season, while fellow lineman Jalin Walker came on strong towards the end of the season with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss on the year.
Early coaching stops:
Hollowell spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic High School (2016-17), helping the Eagles to a 7-4 record and a MaxPreps.com national ranking of 49th overall in 2017.
Before his two-year stint at Santa Margarita, Hollowell spent one season at Youngstown State in 2015. The Penguins’ linebackers helped the YSU defense have one of its best campaigns in years. Lee Wright and Armand Dellovade earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades for their standout performances.
Hollowell, who was an assistant coach at Huntsville (Texas) High School in 2014, got his first taste of collegiate football working at his alma mater at Nebraska under Bo Pelini for four years (2010-13). As a defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers, Hollowell worked primarily with the linebackers during his tenure.
While working with the Husker defense in 2013, Hollowell helped linebacker Lavonte David earn the Big Ten’s Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker-of-the-Year award and first-team All-America honors.
In 2012, linebackers were two of the top four tackles for the Huskers. Will Compton led the team with an impressive 110 stops while Alonzo Whaley registered 65 tackles. Nebraska played in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Capital One Bowl while posting a 10-4 mark.
During the 2011 season, David and Compton were a strong 1-2 punch at the position. David had 133 tackles and was the team’s top tackler by 51 stops. Compton was second on the team with 82 total tackles. The duo combined for 20 TFLs and six sacks.
Hollowell spent the 2010 campaign as an intern assisting the coaching staff and the Husker strength and conditioning staff.
As a player:
Hollowell signed with the New York Giants as a free agent in 2004 and spent two seasons in the NFL. He played for the New York Giants in 2004 and the New York Jets in 2005, while also spending two training camps with the Denver Broncos. He also spent parts of two years in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Hollowell played four seasons at Nebraska from 2000 to 2003, totaling 173 career tackles in helping the Huskers to four bowl games, including the BCS National Championship Game in 2001. As a senior, he earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 recognition from the league coaches and the AP, totaling 80 stops, including eight tackles for losses. He tied Nebraska’s school record with eight pass breakups and was part of a defense that forced a school-record 47 turnovers.
Family:
Hollowell and his wife, Jessica, have two sons, Tommy and Kingston.
Postseason History
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2024 | Pinstripe Bowl (Nebraska) | Boston College | W, 20-15 |
| 2021 | Peach Bowl (Michigan State) | Pitt | W, 31-21 |
| 2013 | Gator Bowl (Nebraska) | Georgia | W, 24-19 |
| 2012 | Capital One Bowl (Nebraska) | Georgia | L, 31-45 |
| 2012 | Big 10 Football Championship (Nebraska) | Wisconsin | L, 31-70 |
| 2011 | Capital One Bowl (Nebraska) | South Carolina | L, 13-30 |
| 2010 | Holiday Bowl (Nebraska) | Washington | L, 7-19 |
| 2010 | Big 12 Championship (Nebraska) | Oklahoma | L, 20-23 |
| 2009 | Big 12 Championship (Nebraska) | Texas | L, 12-13 |
| 2008 | Gator Bowl (Nebraska) | Clemson | W, 26-21 |
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2025 | Wake Forest | Assistant Coach / Defensive Ends |
| 2024 | Nebraska | Football Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2020-24 | Michigan State | Defensive Analyst |
| 2019 | Coastal Carolina | Defensive Ends / Outside Linebackers |
| 2018 | Coastal Carolina | Defensive Line |
| 2016-17 | Santa Margarita Catholic HS (Calif.) | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers / Safeties |
| 2015 | Youngstown State | Linebackers |
| 2014 | Huntsville HS (Texas) | Outside Linebackers / Safeties |
| 2011-13 | Nebraska | Graduate Assistant |
| 2010 | Nebraska | Defensive Intern / Linebackers |
| 2008-09 | Nebraska | Strength & Conditioning Intern |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- DE Tarron Jackson (6th) - Coastal Carolina ‘20 - Philadelphia Eagles
- DE Jeffrey Gunther (7th) - Coastal Carolina ‘20 - Cincinnati Bengals
- Hometown: Copperas Cove, Texas
- Education: 2009 - Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska
- Spouse: Jessica
- Children: Tommy and Kingston
QB Robbie Ashford takes it himself for the score
Thursday, September 11
Chris Barnes scores the TD on the game's first kick
Thursday, September 11
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
