Lakeland native TJ Denson returns to the Sunshine State, joining the Hatters football staff in 2025 after completing two seasons at UNC Pembroke.
Denson has additional coaching stops at Franklin Pierce, Tarleton State and Midland.
Denson made a significant impact on the defensive effort for Franklin Pierce across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He spent the 2020 season as a graduate assistant defensive backs and special teams coach at Tarleton State. He also completed a 2-year stint (2017-18) as the defensive backs and assistant special teams coach at Midland in NAIA.
Denson also has a pair of coaching stints at the prep level, including his first at Lake Gibson (Fla.) High School where he mentored a pair of NCAA Division I signees. He served two stints (2016 & 2019) at his alma mater, Lakeland (Fla.) Senior High School, and fostered the progression of five NCAA Division I signees, including Pitt standout and Denver Broncos draftee Damarri Mathis.
An all-state selection at Lakeland, Denson played his first three collegiate seasons at Murray State. He played his senior season at Concordia-St. Paul.
Denson earned his bachelor’s degree in integrated studies health and physical education from Murray State University in 2014, and completed his master’s degree in kinesiology at Tarleton State University in 2022.
