Coach Profile

Kacy Rodgers joins the Cowboys as defensive tackles coach after a one-year stint as the defensive line coach at the University of Arkansas. Rodgers will work side-by-side with Jim Jeffcoat, the team's defensive ends coach. Rodgers brings nine years of defensive line coaching experience to Dallas, along with a stellar career at linebacker/defensive end for the University of Tennessee.

Last season, Rodgers was the defensive line coach at Arkansas, where he helped the Razorbacks to a 9-5 record, the Western Division title of the Southeastern Conference, a berth against Georgia in the SEC title game and an appearance in the Music City Bowl. The Hogs defense ranked second in the SEC, 18th in the nation, against the run, allowing just 113.6 yards-per-game, and in posting two shut-outs, finished the season ranked 26th in the nation in points allowed at 19.8 per-game.

Prior to joining the staff at Arkansas, Rodgers was the defensive line coach at Middle Tennessee State for three seasons (1999-2001). He also held the duties of assistant head coach for the final two years of that assignment. In his last season with the Blue Raiders, Middle Tennessee State went 8-3 and was co-champion of the Sun Belt Conference. Defensively, the school tied for first in the conference with 27 sacks, and was second in scoring and opponent's third down conversion percentage.

Rodgers began his coaching career as defensive line coach at Tennessee-Martin in 1994. After three years in that position, he added the title of assistant head coach in his final year at UT-Martin (1997). He then spent a year as the defensive line coach at Louisiana-Monroe (1998) before moving to Middle Tennessee.

Rodgers was a four-year letterman at the University of Tennessee (1988-91) and an honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference selection. As a linebacker and defensive end, he contributed to Volunteer teams that won the 1990 and 1991 SEC Championship and played in three New Year's Day bowl games, the 1990 Cotton Bowl, the 1991 Sugar Bowl and the 1992 Fiesta Bowl, winning both the Cotton and Sugar Bowl games. The 1989 Vols squad posted an 11-1 record and finished the year ranked fifth in the country.

Following his collegiate career, Rodgers signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 and played with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League in 1994. In between, he returned to Knoxville to complete his degree in political science in 1993.

Rodgers was born on June 24, 1969 in Humboldt, Tenn. and starred at Humboldt, Tenn., High School. He and his wife, Marcella, have a son, Kacy II (4/2/92).