Boise State Athletics
Football
Lee Marks
- Title:
- Running Backs
- Email:
- leemarks@boisestate.edu
- Phone:
- 426-1819
Lee Marks, a former Boise State all-league running back, is in his sixth season as a member of the Broncos’ coaching staff, and his fifth since returning to coach the position he played at his alma mater. In 2019, Marks will also serve as the Broncos’ co-special teams coordinator.
Under Marks, the Boise State backfield picked up right where it left off from 2014, as Jeremy McNichols had a breakout season with 1,337 rushing yards (25th in the FBS) and 20 rushing touchdowns, a figure that was the Mountain West standard and ranked sixth in the country. McNichols also fully emerged as a dual threat, complementing his rushing prowess with 51 catches for 460 yards and six more touchdowns.
McNichols followed up his 2015 campaign with a stellar 2016, ranking second nationally in total touchdowns (27) and ranking sixth nationally in rushing yards (1,709).
In 2017 Marks oversaw the development of Alexander Mattison, who rushed for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns. This past season, Mattison led the Mountain West and ranked eighth nationally with 1,415 rushing yards en route to first-team all-league honors. He also added 17 rushing TDs to lead the MW and rank seventh nationally.
With Mattison’s 2018 performance, Boise State has had a 1,000-yard rusher in 10-straight seasons, the longest active streak in the country and tied for the third-longest streak in college football history, behind only North Carolina (12; 1973-84) and Texas (11; 1995-2005).
Following the 2018 season, Mattison decided to forego his final season of eligibility and submit his name for the National Football League Draft, the third Boise State running back in five seasons to do so, joining McNichols and Jay Ajayi.
Marks initially returned to his alma mater in 2014, serving as assistant strength and conditioning coach. Before returning to Boise State, Marks spent the 2013 season as the assistant director of strength and conditioning at Arkansas State, where Bryan Harsin served as head coach. There, the Red Wolves earned a share of the Sun Belt Conference title and a victory in the GoDaddy Bowl.
He joined A-State after serving as running backs coach at South Dakota State in 2012. The Jackrabbits ranked as high as No. 21 in the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision Poll, producing a 9-4 overall record and claiming a 58-10 victory over Eastern Illinois in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs during Marks’ lone season in Brookings.
Marks oversaw the efforts of All-America running back Zach Zenner, who rushed for 2,044 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 28 receptions for another 197 yards. He topped 100 yards in nine games and rushed for 200-plus yards three times, including a school-record 295 yards in SDSU's win over Eastern Illinois. Zenner was honored on All-America teams selected by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, AFCA, Sports Network and Associated Press.
Prior to working at South Dakota State, Marks spent two seasons as the running backs coach and graduate assistant at the University of Sioux Falls. The high-powered Cougar offense ranked second in the NAIA in total points (577) during the 2010 season and ranked 18th in rushing yards (2,254).
Before joining the Sioux Falls staff, Marks spent three seasons at Colorado, where he served as an assistant speed and strength and conditioning coach while working closely with current Boise State Director of Strength and Conditioning Jeff Pitman.
During his playing career at Boise State, Marks twice led the Broncos in rushing. He accumulated 1,773 rushing yards and eight touchdowns over his final two seasons as a starter, and helped lead the Broncos to four bowl games. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and was the team's offensive most valuable player in 2005.
He later played one season with the Boise Burn of the Arena Football League.
Lee and his wife Kim have one son, Liam.
Under Marks, the Boise State backfield picked up right where it left off from 2014, as Jeremy McNichols had a breakout season with 1,337 rushing yards (25th in the FBS) and 20 rushing touchdowns, a figure that was the Mountain West standard and ranked sixth in the country. McNichols also fully emerged as a dual threat, complementing his rushing prowess with 51 catches for 460 yards and six more touchdowns.
McNichols followed up his 2015 campaign with a stellar 2016, ranking second nationally in total touchdowns (27) and ranking sixth nationally in rushing yards (1,709).
In 2017 Marks oversaw the development of Alexander Mattison, who rushed for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns. This past season, Mattison led the Mountain West and ranked eighth nationally with 1,415 rushing yards en route to first-team all-league honors. He also added 17 rushing TDs to lead the MW and rank seventh nationally.
With Mattison’s 2018 performance, Boise State has had a 1,000-yard rusher in 10-straight seasons, the longest active streak in the country and tied for the third-longest streak in college football history, behind only North Carolina (12; 1973-84) and Texas (11; 1995-2005).
Following the 2018 season, Mattison decided to forego his final season of eligibility and submit his name for the National Football League Draft, the third Boise State running back in five seasons to do so, joining McNichols and Jay Ajayi.
Marks initially returned to his alma mater in 2014, serving as assistant strength and conditioning coach. Before returning to Boise State, Marks spent the 2013 season as the assistant director of strength and conditioning at Arkansas State, where Bryan Harsin served as head coach. There, the Red Wolves earned a share of the Sun Belt Conference title and a victory in the GoDaddy Bowl.
He joined A-State after serving as running backs coach at South Dakota State in 2012. The Jackrabbits ranked as high as No. 21 in the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision Poll, producing a 9-4 overall record and claiming a 58-10 victory over Eastern Illinois in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs during Marks’ lone season in Brookings.
Marks oversaw the efforts of All-America running back Zach Zenner, who rushed for 2,044 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 28 receptions for another 197 yards. He topped 100 yards in nine games and rushed for 200-plus yards three times, including a school-record 295 yards in SDSU's win over Eastern Illinois. Zenner was honored on All-America teams selected by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, AFCA, Sports Network and Associated Press.
Prior to working at South Dakota State, Marks spent two seasons as the running backs coach and graduate assistant at the University of Sioux Falls. The high-powered Cougar offense ranked second in the NAIA in total points (577) during the 2010 season and ranked 18th in rushing yards (2,254).
Before joining the Sioux Falls staff, Marks spent three seasons at Colorado, where he served as an assistant speed and strength and conditioning coach while working closely with current Boise State Director of Strength and Conditioning Jeff Pitman.
During his playing career at Boise State, Marks twice led the Broncos in rushing. He accumulated 1,773 rushing yards and eight touchdowns over his final two seasons as a starter, and helped lead the Broncos to four bowl games. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and was the team's offensive most valuable player in 2005.
He later played one season with the Boise Burn of the Arena Football League.
Lee and his wife Kim have one son, Liam.
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