In the Sping of 2025 Lane College welcomed Jamar Harp in the role of Offensive Line Coach. Prior to this appointment, Harp served as the Running Backs / Tight Ends Coach at fellow conference institution, Central State University. Harp, who is a seasoned veteran in multiple aspects of athletic administration including coaching, sports information, PA announcing, financial aid, and Player Development. This holistic experience culminates to over 20 years of experience on the Division 1, FCS, and Division 2 levels of NCAA Athletics. Before his appointment at Central State University Harp spent the last two years at Grambling State University under the tutelage of former NFL Head Coach Hue Jackson. Serving first as the Special Teams Analyst then progressing to Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Offensive Quality Control Harp was trained in an NFL style environment emphasizing digital analytics and quantitative analysis. During his final year in Grambling Harp was a part of the second ranked offense in the SWAC. Offensive Coordinator Tony Hull and his Air Magnolia along Offensive Line Coach Robert Valdez were instrumental in Harp’s development as a coach and man. All five starting offensive linemen Valdez and Harp coached matriculated to BCS institutions demonstrating the development and talent of this special group. Harp has also had coaching stops at Livingstone College, Westover High School, Mississippi Valley State University, Lincoln University (PA), Shaw University, Paine College, Winston Salem State University, North Carolina Central University, Delta State University, The University of Iowa, and the Atlanta Falcons. Harp is a member of the Black Coaches Association (BCA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), National Association of Minority Football Coaches (NAMFC) North Carolina Central University Football Alumni Association, and The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Harp was an All-City Selection at Langley High School and has recently been inducted into the Pittsburgh City League Hall of Fame. Harp graduated from North Carolina Central University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and was a integral member of the Eagles Offensive line. He earned a master’s degree in sport administration from Grambling State University in 2007 and has completed studies towards a Ph. D degree in sport studies at the University of Iowa. He is currently writing a book entitled the African Origins of Soccer which will be released before the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America.
