Coach Profile

Bruce DeHaven is a 16-year veteran of NFL sidelines, and he joins the Cowboys as special teams coach. Working alongside kicking coach Steve Hoffman, DeHaven will work to duplicate the success he had in both Buffalo and San Francisco.

Under DeHaven's tutelage the last three seasons (2000-2002), the 49ers special teams have shined. In 2002 return man Jimmy Williams led the NFL with a 16.8-yard punt return average. This performance comes on the heels of a 2001 season that saw Vinny Sutherland break the team record for most kick return yards by a rookie with 1,140. DeHaven was also instrumental in helping punter Jason Baker earn All-Rookie honors the same year. In his first season in San Francisco, DeHaven helped with the improvement of the 49ers coverage units as they became young and aggressive in covering kicks. Six special teams players totaled double-digit tackles in 2000, and three of those six were in their first year with the 49ers.

Prior to joining the 49ers, DeHaven spent 13 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. During his tenure in Buffalo, the club made four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, won six AFC East championships and appeared in 20 playoff games. In those 13 years, DeHaven helped develop two of the greatest special teams players in NFL history: Mike Pike and Steve Tasker. Under DeHaven's tutelage, Tasker was invited to seven Pro Bowls as the AFC's Special Teams Player and was voted the 1993 Pro Bowl MVP. In 1998 kicker Steve Christie set the Bills' single-season club-records for points (140) and field goals (33) and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer. In 1996, The Dallas Morning News, in a ranking of the 19 most important statistical categories, named the Bills special teams unit the best in the NFL. His 1991 punt coverage unit led the NFL in fewest punt return yards allowed with 53, the lowest total since the NFL changed the rules allowing only the ends to release on punt coverage when the ball is snapped. DeHaven also guided the Bills kickoff coverage unit to a No. 1 NFL ranking four consecutive years (1987-90).

Prior to joining the Bills staff in 1987, DeHaven spent three seasons in different coaching capacities in the USFL. He was the running backs and special teams coach with the Orlando Renegades (1985), special teams coach and offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Maulers (1984) and special teams and assistant offensive line coach with the New Jersey Generals (1983) - where Maurice Carthon was a rookie fullback.

DeHaven began his collegiate coaching career at Kansas (1979-81), working with the defensive backs and offensive line, as well as heading up recruiting. He served as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at New Mexico State in 1982 before breaking into the pro ranks.

Before joining the college ranks, DeHaven spent nine years as a high school coach. As an assistant at Wichita, Kan., Southeast High School during part of that time, he helped lead the school to three straight football titles.

DeHaven was born in Trousdale, Kan. (9/6/48). He played eight-man football at Belpre-Trousdale, Kan., High School. A graduate of Southwestern College in Kansas with a degree in history and political science, DeHaven was a basketball standout, leading the team in scoring two consecutive years. He also participated in track and field. He and his wife, Kathy, have a son Tobin Scott (3/17/97) and daughter AnnieMaude (3/23/99).