WATERVILLE, Maine --- Jon Guynes, a former linebacker at Lehigh University and a coach at many levels of college football, was named an assistant coach for the Colby College football team Monday.

Guynes most recently coached at the University of Connecticut, assisting with the defensive line and all phases of special teams. He will coach the running backs for Mule head coach Jonathan Michaeles.

"We are absolutely thrilled to add Jon to the Colby football program. He is a bright coach with experience at some tremendous institutions," Michaeles said. "He has played and coached at the Division I, I-AA, II, and III levels.  His experience is an asset that will benefit our players and program in a big way."

Guynes was on the same coaching staff at UConn with current Colby offensive coordinator Shane Fogarty. Both coached under then head coach Paul Pasqualoni, currently the defensive line coach with the NFL's Chicago Bears and a former Syracuse University head coach.

Guynes earned a master's degree in business administration (marketing) while at University of Connecticut. He currently is working on a second master's from UConn in education (educational psychology). 

Before his time at UConn, Guynes was defensive line coach at Division II Assumption College from 2010 to 2012. He had two players earn all-conference honors and tripled the previous season's sack total.

Guynes coached the outside linebackers at College of the Holy Cross from 2006 to 2008. He had one of his linebackers earn All-Patriot League honors in the 2008 season.

At Iona College from 2006 to 2008, Guynes was the special teams coordinator and led the linebackers. He helped the Gaels to a 7-4 record in 2007, the best mark for the football program in over a decade. Guynes coached linebackers who earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2007 and MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2006.

Guynes started his coaching career at Muhlenberg College, the other school in NCAA Division III with Mules for a nickname. He coached the safeties at Muhlenberg during the 2005 season and was part of the seventh-ranked defense in the country.

Guynes was a three-year letter winner at Lehigh. He earned the football program's Scholar Athlete of the Year honor during his senior season.