Kennedy Pola is in his fifth season as the Jaguars' running backs coach and his sixth season in the NFL. Pola joined the Jaguars coaching staff on January 28, 2005.

Pola, 45, spent his first season in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He joined the Browns after working as running backs coach (2000, 2002-03) and special teams coordinator (2001-03) at the University of Southern California, his alma mater.

Pola began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA (1992-93). He then spent three seasons as running backs coach at San Diego State and also worked as special teams coordinator in 1996. After two seasons as running backs coach at the University of Colorado, Pola returned to San Diego State and spent the 1999 season as linebackers coach.

A four-year standout at Southern California (1982-85), Pola started at fullback for four seasons after being moved from linebacker during his freshman year.

Pola comes from a big football family. His brother, Au Polamalu, played collegiate football at Penn State (1985-87). He has two nephews, Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Nicky Sualua (Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals), who have played in the NFL, and three additional nephews who played Division I-A college football.

Pola was born on Nov. 22, 1963 in Pago, Pago, American Samoa, and was named after John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated the day Pola was born. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Southern California in 1987. Pola and his wife, Diane, have three sons: Kennedy Christopher, Matthew Aoatoa and Raymond Tre.

COACHING

BACKGROUND

UCLA 1992-93, San Diego State 1994-96, 1999, Colorado 1997-98, Southern California 2000-03, Cleveland Browns 2004, Jacksonville Jaguars 2005-09