ETTRICK, Virginia -- Virginia State University head football coach Reggie Barlow has announced that Vernon Dean will take over as the Trojans defensive backs coach for the upcoming 2017 season.
"Making Vernon our defensive backs coach was a good move for our football program," Coach Barlow said. "Vernon is very intelligent and a plus to our program. He brings a lot of knowledge and savvy to our program. It is honor to have coach apart of the Trojan family and I am looking forward to great things out of defensive backs this year."
Dean brings 17 years of experience to the Trojans coaching staff as he has coached on the high school, collegiate and professional level.
He joined the NFL coaching ranks in 2003 after spending 10 seasons coaching on the collegiate and high school level. He assisted Peter Giunta in tutoring the Kansas City Chiefs secondary in 2003 prior to taking over the reigns as cornerbacks coach the next two seasons. The addition of Dean to the Chiefs coaching staff in 2003 coincided with Safety Jerome Woods earning his initial Pro Bowl berth. That season Kansas City ranked third in the NFL with 25 interceptions due in large part to the play of the Chiefs defensive backs.
Dean brings a wealth of hands-on expertise after serving seven seasons as an NFL cornerback with Washington ('82-87) and Seattle ('88). Originally a second-round draft choice (49th overall) of the Redskins in '82, Dean played in 101 regular season games (59 starts), registering 22 interceptions for 274 yards with two touchdowns, as well as seven fumble recoveries, including one for a TD. He also saw duty in 15 career postseason contests, producing four INTs in those games.
Raised in Los Angeles, California, Dean made three Super Bowl appearances with Washington and was a part of Joe Gibbs' squads that claimed victories in Super Bowls XVII and XXII. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by Football Digest in '82 and also earned first-team NFL All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers Association and second-team All-NFC accolades from UPI that same season.
Dean gained his initial NFL coaching experience serving an NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Baltimore Ravens during their 2001 training camp, working under the direction of linebackers coach Jack Del Rio (former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis (now head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals). He was scheduled to serve a fellowship with the Arizona Cardinals in training camp in 2002, before accepting a post as the defensive backs coach at Western Illinois.
Prior to his stint with the Leathernecks, Dean coached the secondary at Western Oregon in 2000-01. From '97-99 he served as the defensive backs coach at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California after spending several years working in both finance and real estate.
He began his coaching career at Georgetown University where he tutored defensive backs for the Hoyas in '90 before serving as the club's defensive coordinator in '92 and '93. An All-Western Athletic Conference selection and honorable mention All-America pick as a senior at San Diego State, Dean led the league with six interceptions that season. His coaching career also includes a stint at Fort Valley State (2008) where he coached the secondary.
Dean holds a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University.
A native of Houston, Texas, Dean is the proud parent of two sons, Joshua (34) and Jaylon (18).
For more information on VSU football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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