19 Facts About Dexter Coakley

William Dexter Coakley was born on October 20,1972 and is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for ten seasons in the National Football League.

Dexter Coakley played college football in Division I-AA for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, and was selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Dexter Coakley graduated from Wando High School, where he earned four letters in football.

Dexter Coakley was the team's Most Valuable Player twice and was twice named all-conference as a safety, after posting 295 tackles in his final two years.

Dexter Coakley was a very productive running back, rushing for over 2,000 yards his junior and senior years.

Dexter Coakley was a critical part of the defense on the 1995 Mountaineer team that finished the season unbeaten and untied.

Dexter Coakley was named All-American and Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior, becoming the first player ever to accomplish this feat.

Dexter Coakley was the Southern Conference's Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior, marking just the seventh time in conference history that one individual had earned that distinction in consecutive years.

Dexter Coakley was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft, after dropping because he was considered an undersized linebacker with a small college background.

Dexter Coakley became the starter at weakside linebacker as a rookie in preseason, after competing with second-year player Alan Campos and would never relinquish the position, registering 136 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown.

Dexter Coakley received the NFL's "All Iron MVP" award during that year's Thanksgiving Day game.

Dexter Coakley had 6 quarterback pressures and 5 passes defensed.

Dexter Coakley's string of seven consecutive 100-tackle seasons is a franchise record.

Dexter Coakley earned Pro Bowl honors in 1999,2001 and 2003.

Dexter Coakley is tied with Dennis Thurman and DaRon Bland for the club record for defensive touchdowns with five, coming on fumble and interception returns.

Dexter Coakley is the fourth leading tackler in franchise history with 1,046.

Dexter Coakley was a starter in 2005, registering 42 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in 12 games for the Rams, before suffering a season-ending fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle.

Dexter Coakley's son Zahn is a freshman wide receiver at his father's alma mater Appalachian State.

Dexter Coakley is the linebackers coach at The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas, along with fellow former NFL player Carlos Francis.