Jason Makrinos joined the RMU coaching staff in the spring of 2023. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2025 after serving as defensive pass game coordinator the previous two seasons
The 2024 season was a breakout year for the RMU defense as they tied school records with 34 sacks and 51 pass breakups. Four members of the defense were named NEC All-Conference in LB Jamar Shegog,  LB Keon Freeman, DB Rob Carter Jr., and DB Tyris Harvey. The defensive unit also posted three shutouts, also tying a school record.
During the 2022 campaign, Makrinos coached defensive backs at fellow Big South member North Carolina A&T. The Aggies participated in the Big South title game for the first time in school history as North Carolina A&T posted an overall record of 7-4 (.636), including a mark of 4-1 (.800) in conference play.
While with the Aggies, Makrinos helped the secondary improve from 81st to 22nd in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in pass defense as well as from 68th to 19th in pass efficiency defense. He was also instrumental in the development of Karon Prunty, who was named to the 2022 All-Big South First Team. Overall, the Aggies led the Big South in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense.
During the 2021 season Markrinos coached the safeties at Kent State. The Golden Flashes claimed the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East championship and participated in the MAC championship game for just the second time in program history. Kent State also played Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl as the Golden Flashes finished eighth and 10th, respectively, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in interceptions and turnovers.
A 2005 graduate of Westminster College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Makrinos played defensive line for the Titans. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Slippery Rock from 2005 to 2007, where Makrinos earned a Master of Science in sport management. He returned to the Rock in 2010 and spent four years with the program as defensive backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. In 2013, Makrinos helped guide Slippery Rocky to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Makrinos has also served as an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon (2008-09), Duquesne (2014) and Findlay (2015-2020). At each of those stops he tutored defensive backs while also serving as co-defensive coordinator during his season with the Dukes.
Makrinos and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Mason and Maya.
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