The Washington Redskins announced the hiring of Perry Fewell as the team's defensive backs coach on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Take a look back at his career through photos.
Perry Fewell's professional life has almost always involved coaching, dating back to his first job with Lenoir-Rhyne University as the school's defensive backs coach in 1980.
The Washington Redskins last week announced that Fewell – who was most recently defensive coordinator for the New York Giants – is the team's new defensive backs coach.
During his time in the NFL, including stints with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams, Fewell has helped talent reach career milestones and propel several units into the top half of the league in terms of overall defensive play.
Below is a look at his career in the NFL to date:
2010-14: New York Giants, Defensive CoordinatorFewell took over a defense that struggled in 2009, as the team was ranked 30th overall in yards allowed and gave up 427 points.
But his impact was instantly felt, especially by some of the top pass-rushing talents on the team, as both Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyioura both rebounded from sub-par seasons in 2009.
Tuck went from six sacks to 11.5 sacks while Umenyioura went from seven sacks to 11.5.
During the 2009 season, the Giants also held opposition to under seven points in four different games.
In 2011, behind an opportunistic defense led by Fewell, the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
During that season, both Jason Pierre-Paul and Corey Webster had career years, as Pierre-Paul recorded 16 sacks while Webster nabbed six interceptions.
Pierre-Paul's 16 sacks were the most by a Giant other than Lawrence Taylor or Michael Strahan.
In 2012, the Giants' defense was stout, especially against the run, as it gave up only nine rushing touchdowns all season and held opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground six times.
Safety Stevie Brown, meanwhile, recorded a career-high eight interceptions – the most by a Giant since 1968.
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, under Fewell's tutelage, both veterans and younger players alike grew.
In 2013, Tuck once again recorded double digits in sacks (11), while Antrelle Rolle nabbed a career-high six interceptions and Jon Beason – acquired in a mid-season trade – recorded 97 tackles in just 10 games.
2006-2009: Buffalo Bills, Defensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach
Fewell was the team's defensive coordinator for four seasons while also being head coach for the final seven games of the 2009 season.
After falling to the Titans 41-17 in Week 10, the Bills fired Dick Jauron and tapped Fewell as interim head coach.
In seven games under Fewell, the Bills recorded a 3-4 record while defeating the eventual AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts, 30-7, in the season finale.
During the 2006 season – his first in Buffalo – Fewell helped re-energize a pass rush led by Aaron Schobel, who would record 14 sacks.
In Week 15, the Bills recorded a 24-0 shutout over the Miami Dolphins, the first time they had held an opponent to zero points since their 2003 season opener.
In 2007, the Bills were especially strong against the pass – 12 different players recorded an interception – as they were led by future three-time Pro Bowler Donte Whitner.
Whitner – then in his second season – paced all Bills defensive backs with 68 tackles.
In 2008, Fewell was instrumental in the progression of Paul Posluszny, as he recorded a team-high 85 tackles.
During the 2009 season, the Bills defensive collectively had one of their best seasons, as they held opponents to single digits in three different games, while 13 different players – headed by Jairus Byrd's NFL-high nine interceptions – nabbed at least one pick.
2005: Chicago Bears, Defensive Backs CoachDuring his lone season in Chicago, Fewell guided a defensive backfield led by cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman.
Vasher was voted to the Pro Bowl after leading the team in interceptions with eight, while also recording a 45-yard pick six against the Green Bay Packers in a 19-7 victory in early December.
2003-2004: St. Louis Rams, Secondary CoachFor two seasons Fewell was tasked with directing a secondary that featured Pro Football Hall Of Fame cornerback Aeneas Williams.
In 2003, cornerback Travis Fisher recorded an NFL-high 205 interception return yards and two touchdowns.
1998-2002: Jacksonville Jaguars, Defensive Backs CoachFewell's first NFL coaching job came with the Jaguars in 1998, as he coached the defensive backs for the team for five seasons.
During his tenure there, Aaron Beasley led all Jaguars with 13 interceptions.
In 1999, Fewell was instrumental in instructing the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL, as Jacksonville held opponents to 10 points or less nine times.
FEWELL FOOTBALL TIMELINE
2010-14: Defensive Coordinator, New York Giants
2009: Interim Head Coach, Buffalo Bills (final seven games)
2006-09: Defensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills
2005: Defensive Backs Coach, Chicago Bears
2003-04: Secondary Coach, St. Louis Rams
1998-2002: Defensive Backs Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars
1995-97: Secondary Coach, Vanderbilt
1992-94: Defensive Line Coach, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
1988-91: Wide Receivers Coach, Kent State
1987: Defensive Backs Coach, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
1985-86: Graduate Assistant, North Carolina
1980-83: Defensive Back, Lenoir-Rhyne
RELATED LINKS:
-- Redskins Add Fewell, Clark To Coaching Staff
-- Blog: Get To Know Perry Fewell
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