Ted Cottrell

Ted Cottrell is a current defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. Previously, he worked in the NFL football offices. Before that, he was the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and the Minnesota Vikings. He coached for a total of 22 years in the NFL before retiring briefly in February 2006. [ [http://vikings.scout.com/2/499525.html Scout.com: Cottrell Hangs It Up ] ]

Coaching Career

Cottrell coached at Rutgers University for eight years. In 1981, he got his first NFL job when Marv Levy hired him as linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Considered an innovator in the 3-4 defense, Cottrell was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Bills from 1995-00, the last three seasons as defensive coordinator. From 1998 through 2000, the Bills finished no worse than sixth in the league in total defense. In 1999, the Bills led the league in total defense.

In 2001, he joined the New York Jets as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, and successfully operated the 4-3 scheme favored by head coach Herman Edwards. He stayed for three seasons, including two playoff appearances and a division championship in 2002.

Cottrell then spent two seasons (2004-05) as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. In 2005, the Vikings finished fifth in the NFL in takeaways and earned a postseason berth, and defeated the Green Bay Packers in a Wild Card contest. But at season's end Mike Tice and his staff were fired, including Cottrell. He then announced his retirement.

In February 2007, he became the defensive coordinator under new Chargers head coach, Norv Turner. During the regular season, the Chargers led the NFL in takeaways (48), interceptions (30), and passing rating defense (70.0), the first time a Chargers team ever led in any of these categories. In 2003, Cottrell was a finalist to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806EFDA1F39F933A05752C0A9659C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Cottrell,%20Ted PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; 49ers to Give Cottrell An Answer Soon - New York Times ] ] . He would ultimately lose the job to Dennis Erickson. He was also considered a candidate for the Vikings job in 2005.

Cottrell was dismissed along with much of the coaching staff in Minnesota after head coach Mike Tice allegedly scalped tickets. Cottrell and the other coaches on Tice's staff that were dismissed were not believed to be guilty of any wrong doing.

Playing Career

Cottrell starred at Delaware Valley College from 1965 to 1968. He was a seventh-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1969 and played linebacker for two seasons. He ended his career with the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he played for two more years.

References