Justin Stepp joined the SMU staff as wide receivers coach in December of 2014 after spending three years at Appalachian State.
In his first season on the Hilltop, Stepp helped develop one of the nation’s top freshmen - wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Sutton was named a Freshman All-American in 2015 after ranking No. 1 among freshmen with nine receiving TDs. Sutton set an SMU freshman record for receiving yards with 862 and tied former SMU standout Emmanuel Sanders for most touchdowns by a freshman. In all, SMU’s offense increased its scoring output by 16.7 points per game – the second-largest increase in the nation in 2015.
In 2016, Sutton again led the SMU offense, catching 76 passes for 1,246 yards and 10 TDs, making him SMU’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2013. Sutton was not SMU's only threat, though, as James Proche emerged, catching 57 passes for 709 yards and six scores en route to Freshman All-America honors.
Stepp's first two seasons coaching Appalachian State's wideouts were very successful. In 2012, three Mountaineers (Sean Price, Andrew Peacock and Tony Washington) earned all-Southern Conference recognition while Price received All-America honors after setting NCAA Division I FCS freshman records with 81 receptions and 1,196 receiving yards. In 2013, Peacock and Washington once again earned all-conference accolades after Peacock led the SoCon in receptions (78) and Washington led the league in receiving yards (939).
Peacock finished his career as Appalachian State's all-time leader with 208 receptions, 157 of which came in two years with Stepp as his position coach. Both of Stepp's prized pupils signed National Football League free-agent contracts following the conclusion of their collegiate careers -- Peacock with the Detroit Lions and Washington with the Indianapolis Colts.
Prior to his arrival at Appalachian State, Stepp spent three seasons at Clemson (2009-11). As an offensive graduate assistant coach in 2011, Stepp had a hand in all aspects of Clemson's offense, including working directly with the Tigers' running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends, game-planning and assisting the offensive coordinator with in-game play-calling adjustments.
With Stepp on the sideline, Clemson ranked second in the ACC and in the top 30 nationally in scoring (33.6 ppg) and total offense (440.8 ypg) and boasted a pair of All-Americans on the offensive side of the ball in 2011.
Prior to serving as a graduate-assistant coach, he spent two seasons (2009-10) as an offensive video graduate assistant, with a large role in opponent breakdown and preparation of practice scripts.
He started his college coaching career as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II North Greenville in 2008, where he coached a pair of 40-catch receivers in his only season with the Crusaders. He also served as wide receivers and strength coach at Fort Mill (S.C.) HS in 2007.
The Pelion, S.C. native was a standout wide receiver and punt returner at Furman from 2003-06. He earned All-SoCon recognition as a junior and senior and finished his playing career ranked fourth all-time in receptions at FU.
He graduated from Furman in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science.
Stepp is married to the former Brooke Hickey, SMU’s Recruiting Operations Coordinator, and the couple reside in Dallas.
Coaching Experience
2007: Fort Mill (S.C.) H.S. (Wide Receivers/Strength and Conditioning)
2008: North Greenville (Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
2009-10: Clemson (Graduate Assistant/Offensive Video)
2011: Clemson (Graduate Assistant/Offense)
2012-14: Appalachian State (Wide Receivers)
2015-: SMU (Wide Receivers)
