Perry Fewell – NFL Head Coach Biography

Perry Fewell is a respected American football coach with decades of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. Born on September 7, 1962, in Gastonia, North Carolina, Fewell has built a reputation as a defensive specialist and leader, serving as both a defensive coordinator and interim head coach during his NFL tenure.

Playing Career

• College: Fewell played college football at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where he was a standout defensive back and team captain.

Coaching Career Highlights

College Coaching

• Began his coaching career at his alma mater, Lenoir-Rhyne, as a graduate assistant.
• Held assistant coaching positions at various colleges, including North Carolina, Army, Kent State, and Vanderbilt, primarily working with defensive backs.

NFL Coaching Career

• Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2002): Defensive backs coach under Tom Coughlin, helping shape a strong secondary.
• St. Louis Rams (2003-2004): Defensive backs coach.
• Chicago Bears (2005): Defensive backs coach, contributing to one of the league’s top defenses.
• Buffalo Bills (2006-2009): Defensive coordinator, and served as interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2009 season (record: 3-4).
• New York Giants (2010-2014): Defensive coordinator, highlighted by winning Super Bowl XLVI in the 2011 season. His defense was instrumental in the team’s playoff run, particularly in limiting the high-powered New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
• Washington Football Team (2015-2016): Defensive backs coach.
• Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2018): Defensive backs coach, working with a talented secondary nicknamed “Sacksonville.”
• Carolina Panthers (2019): Joined as secondary coach, then promoted to interim head coach after Ron Rivera’s firing, leading the team for the final four games of the season.

Accomplishments & Legacy

• Super Bowl Champion: XLVI (New York Giants, 2011 season)
• Recognized as a skilled developer of defensive talent and respected leader.
• One of the few African-American coaches to serve as interim head coach for multiple NFL franchises.

Perry Fewell continues to be a valued mentor and consultant within NFL circles, known for his tactical acumen, ability to galvanize defenses, and professionalism. His journey from small-college player to Super Bowl-winning coordinator and interim head coach is a testament to his dedication to the game.

Legacy & Career Overview

Perry Fewell: NFL Head Coach Biography

Perry Fewell is a respected figure in the world of American football, known for his extensive coaching career and his brief tenure as an NFL head coach. Fewell has built a reputation as a brilliant defensive mind and a strong leader, earning respect across multiple franchises over several decades.

Early Life and Playing Career

• Born: September 7, 1962, in Gastonia, North Carolina
• College: Fewell attended Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where he played as a defensive back from 1980 to
  1983. He was a standout player, earning All-South Atlantic Conference honors and setting the foundation for his future in football.

Coaching Career: The Early Years

Perry Fewell began his coaching career at the collegiate level, serving as a graduate assistant at the University of North Carolina before taking on roles at the Army, Kent State, and Vanderbilt. His early years were characterized by a focus on defense, particularly defensive backs, which would become his specialty.

Rise Through the NFL Ranks

Fewell entered the NFL coaching circuit in 1998, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive backs coach. Under head coach Tom Coughlin, Fewell helped guide the Jaguars to one of the league’s top defenses, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in the 1999 season.

• Jacksonville Jaguars (1998–2002): Defensive Backs Coach
• St. Louis Rams (2003–2004): Secondary Coach
• Chicago Bears (2005): Defensive Backs Coach

Buffalo Bills: Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach

Fewell’s big break came in 2006 when he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. He quickly gained recognition for improving the team’s defensive performance, especially in creating turnovers. In November 2009, after the firing of Dick Jauron, Fewell was named the interim head coach of the Bills, becoming one of the few African-American head coaches in NFL history at that time.

• Interim Head Coach Record (2009): 3-4
• Fewell’s leadership stabilized the team during a turbulent season, earning praise for his steady demeanor and football intelligence.

New York Giants: Super Bowl Champion

After his stint in Buffalo, Fewell was hired as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants in
2010. His greatest professional achievement came in the 2011 season, when he orchestrated a defensive resurgence that propelled the Giants to a victory in Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots.

• Defensive Coordinator (2010–2014):
• Oversaw a defense that peaked in the playoffs, with the Giants holding high-powered offenses in check.
• Super Bowl XLVI Champion (2011 season): The Giants’ defense, under Fewell’s guidance, was instrumental in the team’s playoff run and Super Bowl win.

Later NFL Coaching Career

After his time with the Giants, Fewell continued to serve as a highly regarded defensive coach:

• Washington Football Team (2015–2016): Defensive Backs Coach
• Jacksonville Jaguars (2017–2018): Defensive Backs Coach
• Carolina Panthers (2019): Defensive Backs Coach, then Interim Head Coach for the final five games after the firing of Ron Rivera
• Interim Head Coach Record (2019, Panthers): 0-4
• Current Role: As of 2022, Fewell has served as the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Officiating Administration, working to oversee and improve the league’s officiating standards.

Career Highlights and Legacy

• Super Bowl Champion: XLVI (2011 season, New York Giants)
• Known for: Defensive innovation, player development, steady leadership, and advocacy for diversity in NFL coaching ranks
• Respected for his mentorship of younger coaches and players throughout his career
• One of a select group of African-American coaches to serve as an NFL head coach, even in an interim capacity, helping pave the way for future minority coaches

Personal Life

Fewell is known for his professionalism, calm demeanor, and strong communication skills. He is deeply committed to community initiatives and is recognized as a role model for aspiring coaches, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Perry Fewell may not have spent long as an NFL head coach, but his career is marked by longevity, adaptability, and success. As a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator and two-time interim head coach, he has left an indelible mark on every team he’s coached and on the league as a whole. His ongoing work in NFL officiating and advocacy for diversity continue to shape the game beyond the field.