Dustin Royston - Football Coach - Murray State University Athletics

Dustin Royston

At Murray State

Prior to MSU

Served the previous seven seasons at Middle Tennessee where he served in multiple roles including linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, co-defensive line coach, and graduate assistant.
In 2022, he helped lead the Blue Raiders to one of the most impressive defenses in the country, ranking second nationally in red zone defense and interceptions (20), fourth in total turnovers (30) and defensive touchdowns, and top 25 in rush defense, sacks, tackles-for-loss and blocked kicks.
In 2023, his linebacker unit finished with 22.5 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, and six forced fumbles and six linebackers finished with 40 or more tackles on the year. Royston helped develop 12 players at MTSU and played a key role in winning the 2017 Camelia Bowl, 2021 Bahamas Bowl, and 2022 Hawaii Bowl.
Prior to his stint at Middle Tennessee, Royston served as an outside linebacker quality control coach under legendary coach Nick Saban at Alabama. While with the Crimson Tide, Royston helped lead the team to back-to-back National Championship appearances, winning the title in 2015. Alabama won back-to-back SEC championships with Royston on the staff and the defense ranked top five nationally in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, sacks, and tackles-for-loss.
Royston began his coaching career at Cane Ridge High School in Nashville, Tennessee as the inside linebackers coach and helped lead them to a 2014 class AAAAA state playoff appearance.

Playing Career

Royston played collegiately at Georgia as a fullback and on special teams from 2009-12. Royston earned SEC Academic Honor Roll honors while the Bulldogs won the SEC East divison in 2011 and 2012.