Gerald Alexander

Gerald Alexander (born June 28, 1984) is an American football coach and former safety. He played college football at Boise State, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.[1] He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. He's currently the assistant defensive backs coach for the Steelers.

For the baseball player, see Gerald Alexander (baseball).
Gerald Alexander
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Assistant defensive backs coach
Personal information
Born: (1984-06-28) June 28, 1984
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Rancho Cucamonga
College:Boise State
NFL Draft:2007 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • 4× First-team All-WAC

Alexander was a former graduate assistant with Arkansas State University and University of Washington. In July 2015, he became the defensive backs coach at Indiana State University. In December 2015, he accepted the position of defensive backs coach at Montana State University, working under head coach Jeff Choate.

Early years

Alexander attended Rancho Cucamonga High School from 1998 to 2002, where he was a track and field athlete as well.

He was one of the players who helped lead Boise State to their improbable Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma in the 2006 season. While at Boise State, Alexander was a four-time First-team All-WAC selection.

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Alexander played all 16 games of his rookie season when safety Daniel Bullocks suffered a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. During that 2007 season Gerald recorded 81 tackles, 59 solo and 22 assisted. He also had 2 sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On June 26, 2009, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Dennis Northcutt. On October 19, 2010, the Jaguars released Alexander.[2]

Carolina Panthers

On November 23, the Panthers signed Alexander.[3] He became a free agent after the season.

Miami Dolphins

Alexander signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 28, 2011. Alexander was released on September 2, 2011, by the Miami Dolphins. Re-signed on October 19, 2011.

New York Jets

Alexander was signed by the New York Jets on December 13, 2011, to add depth to the safety position following a season-ending injury to starting safety Jim Leonhard.[4] He was released on March 14, 2012.[5]

YearTeamGamesCombined TacklesTacklesAssisted TacklesSacksForced FumblesFumble RecoveriesFumble Return YardsInterceptionsInterception Return YardsAverage Yards per Interception ReturnLongest Interception ReturnInterceptions Returned for TouchdownPass DefenededStuffsStuff YardsKick Blocks
2007DET168159222.0020270353606000
2008DET57700.0000000000150
2009JAX155545100.0310223122205000
2010JAX3161060.00143000003000
2010CAR20000.0000000000000
2011MIA20000.0000000000000
2011NYJ10000.0000000000000
TotalTotal44159121382.03404932336014150

[6][7][8]

Coaching career

Arkansas State

Alexander served as an undergraduate assistant on the coaching staff of Arkansas State for the 2013 season.

Washington Huskies

Alexander joined the Washington Huskies coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2014 under head coach Chris Petersen.[9]

Indiana State

After participating in the Bill Walsh Minority Internship Program with the Tennessee Titans during the team's 2015 training camp, Alexander served as the defensive backs coach for Indiana State.[9]

Montana State

Alexander again participated in the Bill Walsh Minority Internship Program in the summer of 2016, this time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[9] Following the two-week program, Alexander coached Montana State's secondary.

California

Alexander joined University of California's coaching staff in 2017 as their defensive backs coach. He served in that role through the 2019 season.[10]

Miami Dolphins

On January 24, 2020, it was reported that Alexander was hired by the Miami Dolphins to serve as the team's defensive backs coach under head coach Brian Flores.[11] He missed the team's week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 8, 2020, in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.[12] On February 10, 2022, Alexander was fired by the Dolphins.[13] Gerald Alexander is in his second year as the team's assistant defensive backs coach. Pittsburgh Steelers-(2021-current)

In his first season with Pittsburgh, Alexander assisted with a Steelers secondary that tied for first in the League in interceptions with 20 in 2022. S Minkah Fitzpatrick led the group with a career-high and League-leading six interceptions, earning Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.

References
  1. "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  2. "Jaguars continue roster shuffling; Alexander released". jagsreport.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12.
  3. "Panthers add depth at quarterback and safety". charlotteobserver.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021.
  4. Mehta, Manish (13 December 2011). "Jets sign Gerald Alexander to take Jim Leonhard's spot on roster". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  5. Vrentas, Jenny (14 March 2012). "Free-agent receiver Chaz Schilens to visit Jets". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  6. "Gerald Alexander Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  7. "Indiana State hires 31-year-old Gerald Alexander as new DBS coach".
  8. "Gerald Alexander, Former NFL 2nd Round Draft Choice, Joins MSU Staff".
  9. McGill, Jim (25 January 2020). "Cal DB Coach Gerald Alexander Departs For NFL". Bear Insider. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  10. McGuire, Kevin (2020-01-24). "Cal loses assistant Gerald Alexander to NFL job". CollegeFootballTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  11. Williams, Charean (24 January 2020). "Dolphins hire Gerald Alexander as defensive backs coach". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  12. Wolfe, Cameron (November 8, 2020). "Miami Dolphins without five assistant coaches due to COVID-19 protocols". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  13. "Breaking News: Dolphins Fire Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander". 10 February 2022.
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