The Undersized Backer — Dexter Coakley’s Journey from App State to Cowboys Legend

October 20, 1972 – Mt. Pleasant, SC – Dexter Coakley, the linebacker from Appalachian State, was born on that day.

The standout linebacker starred at App State from 1993 through the 1996 seasons. Boasting 616 career tackles, Coakley was, per the National Football Foundation’s website, a three-time First Team All-America and the first two-time winner of the Buck Buchanan Award as the Football Championship Subdivision’s top defender, and was the first three-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Dexter Coakley was the first Hall of Fame inductee for Appalachian State when he entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Dexter was picked in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft and enjoyed a 10-year career with the Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams.

Appalachian State Legend (NCAA Jersey 32)

Coakley’s collegiate career at Appalachian State (1993-1996) was one of the most decorated in the history of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly I-AA).

• Jersey Retirement: The Mountaineers retired his NCAA Jersey 32 in 2005.
• The Buck Buchanan Award: He was the first two-time winner of the Buck Buchanan Award, recognizing the FCS’s top defensive player (1995, 1996).
• Southern Conference Dominance: Coakley was the first player ever to be named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year three times (sophomore, junior, and senior seasons).
• Tackling Machine: He set Appalachian State’s all-time record with a massive 616 career tackles, including a school record 350 solo stops, and posted 37 career games with double-digit tackles.
• Hall of Fame Pioneer: In 2011, he became the first player from Appalachian State to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

NFL Standout (NFL Jersey 52)

Despite falling to the third round (65th overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft due to his smaller stature, Coakley was an instant success for the Dallas Cowboys, wearing NFL Jersey 52.

• Pro Bowl Selections: Coakley was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1999, 2001, 2003).
• Unmatched Durability: He was remarkably durable and productive, starting 127 of 128 games during his eight seasons with the Cowboys.
• Franchise Records: He set a Cowboys franchise record with seven consecutive 100-tackle seasons and is the fourth-leading tackler in franchise history with 1,046 total tackles.
• Defensive Playmaker: A true playmaker, he is tied for the Cowboys’ club record with five career defensive touchdowns (four interception returns and one fumble return).
• Career Summary: Coakley played ten seasons in the NFL (1997-2004 with Dallas, 2005-2006 with the St. Louis Rams), accumulating 13 interceptions and 9.5 sacks.