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Article by Julie Waecther, special to Adams State

Bruce Springsteen might have been singing about Adams State Football in From Small Things Big Things Come. Current head football coach Levi Galles noted, “Four former Adams State graduates are making significant strides in the profession and have worked their way up the coaching ranks at the highest levels of college football. It is a great example of the long-term impact of the program and the quality of people that have come through Adams State.”

Jason Semore ’05 is Defensive Coordinator at Georgia Tech. Ray Thomas ‘10 started a new position this year as Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance & Director of Speed Development at University of Southern California. JB Hall ’12 coaches the cornerbacks as an assistant coach at Wyoming University, while Taylor Mouser ’13 is the Offensive Coordinator at Penn State University.

Jason Semore

“Jason Semore has built a strong reputation as a defensive coach and recruiter,” Galles said. “Since graduating from Adams State, he has steadily climbed the coaching ladder and is now working at the Power 4 level in the ACC.”

Semore earned a bachelor’s degree in history, government and philosophy, followed by two master’s degrees: in criminal justice in 2007 from University of Phoenix and in educational methods from University of Tulsa in 2012.

As a linebacker at Adams State, he said, “We established a tradition of being one of the best defensive football teams in the entire country from 2001-2005. I played alongside many All Conference and All-American players, and in 2004 we were statistically the #1 defense in all of college football.”

Semore has been defensive coordinater for nine of his 20 collegiate coaching seasons. His teams notched 11 post-season appearances and 3 conference championships. His resume includes time coaching at Southern Miss, Marshall, Valdosta State, Montana, Colorado School of Mines, and Adams State.

“From a coaching standpoint, I have built on the foundation that I learned as a player at Adams State,” Semore said. “My biggest influencer at ASU was my Coach Marty Heaton, our defensive coordinator. Academically, it was Dr. Ed Crowther and Dr. Stuart Hilwig (may they rest in peace). Coach Heaton was a massive influence in my life! He taught me the relationship between the power of the mind and football. He taught me that nothing affects a football player more than his personal identity. He helped shape my identity both as a football player and a man.”

Ray Thomas

Galles said of Thomas, “His journey reflects the persistence and commitment that many Adams State alumni bring to the profession.” He joined USC after five years at Kansas State, where he was head of strength & conditioning. He previously held posts at University of South Florida, after internships at University of Southern Colorado and University of Arkansas.

Thomas worked construction for a while after college, until his wife encouraged him to apply for a coaching job at his high school alma mater in Woodland Park, CO. “That rekindled my fire for football,” he said. “I practiced a whole lot in college but didn’t play a whole lot. That fed my love of training. I work with the team all year, in fact off-season is the busiest. I’m with them year-round, getting them in shape. I build relationships and help them grow, not just in sport, but as men.”

JB Hall

Galles said JB Hall has developed a strong reputation within the Mountain West, leading to his recent move to Wyoming. “His work in recruiting and player development has helped him continue to advance in the profession.” Hall’s new head coach at Wyoming, Jay Sawvel, said, “JB is a versatile coach who is an excellent teacher.”

Hall was a wide receiver at Adams State from 2008 through 2012, serving as a team captain and earning Athletic Director’s Honor Roll recognition. He earned a bachelor’s degree in human performance and physical education.

Prior to joining Wyoming, Hall spent two seasons at Northern Colorado University as special teams coordinator and served as defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach. He has also coached at Utah Tech, Georgia Tech, Montana University, Sacramento State, and Idaho State. In 2016, Montana’s defense ranked first in the Big Sky in total defense and second in pass defense, as Hall oversaw the secondary.

Taylor Mouser

“Taylor Mouser has quickly become one of the rising young offensive minds in college football,” Galles said. “His progression through the profession reflects both his work ethic and the foundation he built during his time at Adams State.” A defensive lineman in college, he earned bachelor’s degrees in exercise science and sports administration.

Before joining the Nittany Lions, Mouser spent 10 seasons at Iowa State University and was named the 2025 Football Scoop Tight Ends Coach of the Year. He has coached a number of All-Americans and All-Big 12 performers to unprecedented success working with the offense. He started at Iowa as a graduate assistant, then moved to the scouting department. He then took a role as senior quality control for the Cyclone offense in 2019.

In his first season as tight ends coach in 2021, Mouser tutored a pair of All-Big 12 performers in Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen, both now in the NFL. In recent years, Iowa State produced four of the most prolific offenses in Cyclone football history. The Cyclones closed the 2025 season rushing for at least 150 yards in seven-straight games, the longest streak since doing so for eight-straight games from 2008-09.