Former CFL linebacker Dexter McCoil Sr. has been promoted to defensive coordinator at Texas State University.
The 32-year-old is viewed as a rising star in the college coaching world, landing an FBS coordinator job just two years after his first NCAA gig. After retiring from the CFL ahead of the 2022 season, he was hired as the safeties coach at the University of the Incarnate Word, before joining the Bobcats in the same capacity the following year.
“Coach McCoil is a winner and a great leader of men,” head coach G.J. Kinne, who is himself a former CFL quarterback, said in a statement. “The relationships and trust that he has with our players and coaches is something that stood out during the interview process. He has a great energy with our guys, and his experience as a coach and as an NFL player will be huge in elevating our defence.”
McCoil last played with the Toronto Argonauts and recorded 60 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions over 11 regular season games in 2021. He started the East Final at weak-side linebacker and made six total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in a close loss to Hamilton.
The six-foot-four, 220-pound defensive star was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2014 and a CFL all-star after posting 63 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, four sacks, two touchdowns, and tying for the league lead with six interceptions in 18 games for Edmonton.
The following season saw the Louisiana native tally 71 defensive tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions en route to another West Division all-star nod and finished that season off by helping the Green and Gold win the Grey Cup.
The University of Tulsa alum signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2016, playing 16 games and recording 25 tackles and one interception at safety. A move to the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2018 saw McCoil Sr. play ten more NFL games, adding five tackles.
A brief stint back with the Chargers in 2019 prefaced McCoil’s return to the CFL in October of that year, when he played two games at the end of the season for the Calgary Stampeders. He made five total tackles and one interception in two games for the club.
McCoil finished his CFL career with 196 defensive tackles, 29 special teams tackles, 12 interceptions, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 49 career games.
