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Kacy Rodgers moved from the college coaching ranks to professional football in 2003, and he spent his first two years in the league tutoring the Cowboys defensive tackles in the 4-3 scheme. In 2005, Rodgers took on the additional responsibilities of coaching the entire defensive line as the club made the switch to the 3-4.
In molding a group that was an even mix of veterans and youngsters, Rodgers' defensive line contributed to a team sack total of 37, the Cowboys highest number since 1997. Veterans Greg Ellis (eight sacks) and La'Roi Glover (three) were joined by rookie end Chris Canty (2.5) in pacing the team's sack leaders. Canty was the leading tackler on the defensive line (43 stops), and he was followed by veteran nose man Jason Ferguson (42) and fellow rookie end Marcus Spears (35). The Dallas front helped the Cowboys achieve an overall defensive ranking of 10th in the NFL. Glover earned his sixth Pro Bowl selection in 2005, and younger players such as Canty, Spears, defensive tackle Thomas Johnson and end Jay Ratliff brightened the Cowboys defensive line prospects for the future.
While tutoring the Cowboys defensive tackles in 2003 and 2004, Rodgers worked with one of the NFL's best in Glover, who earned his fourth and fifth Pro Bowl trips. In 2004 Glover had the team's second-highest sack total (seven) - a figure that was his best since coming to Dallas - while finishing second on the team in pressures. Leonardo Carson lined up at the other starting tackle position and turned in career-high numbers for tackles (55) and tackles for loss (five).
In 2003, Rodgers' work with the defensive tackles helped the Cowboys defense post statistics that had not been achieved in many years as the club surrendered only 1,425 rushing yards on the season, the lowest total by a Cowboys defense since 1992. The Cowboys defensive tackles helped the club register 32 sacks. Glover earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection after leading the team in pressures, finishing second in sacks and seventh in tackles.
Rodgers was the defensive line coach at the University of Arkansas in 2002, helping the Razorbacks to a 9-5 record, the Western Division title of the Southeastern Conference, a berth against Georgia in the SEC title game and an appearance in the Music City Bowl. The Hogs defense ranked second in the SEC, 18th in the nation, against the run, and in posting two shut-outs, finished the season ranked 26th in the nation in points allowed.
Prior to joining the staff at Arkansas, Rodgers was the defensive line coach at Middle Tennessee State (1999-2001). He also held the duties of assistant head coach for the final two years of that assignment. In his last season with the Blue Raiders, Middle Tennessee State went 8-3 and was co-champion of the Sun Belt Conference. Defensively, the school tied for first in the conference with 27 sacks, and was second in scoring.
Rodgers began his coaching career as defensive line coach at Tennessee-Martin in 1994. After three years in that position, he added the title of assistant head coach in his final year at UT-Martin (1997). He then spent a year as the defensive line coach at Louisiana-Monroe (1998) before moving to Middle Tennessee.
Rodgers was a four-year letterman at Tennessee (1988-91) and an honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference selection. As a linebacker and defensive end, he contributed to Volunteer teams that won the 1990 and 1991 SEC Championship and played in three New Year's Day bowl games - the 1990 Cotton Bowl, the 1991 Sugar Bowl and the 1992 Fiesta Bowl, winning both the Cotton and Sugar Bowl games. The 1989 Vols squad posted an 11-1 record and finished the year ranked fifth in the country.
Following his collegiate career, Rodgers signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 and played with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League in 1994. In between, he returned to Knoxville to complete his degree in political science in 1993.
Rodgers was born on June 24, 1969 in Humboldt, Tenn. and starred at Humboldt High School. He and his wife, Marcella, have a son, Kacy II (4/2/92). | 