Chris Tabor

Last updated

Chris Tabor
Chris Tabor (36380257710) (cropped).jpg
Tabor with the Cleveland Browns in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1971-03-04) March 4, 1971 (age 52)
St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
Career information
High school: Benton
(St. Joseph, Missouri)
College: Benedictine
Undrafted: 1993
Career history
As a coach:
Head coaching record
Regular season:1–6 (.143)
Coaching stats at PFR

Chris Tabor (born March 4, 1971) is an American football coach who last served as interim head coach and special teams coordinator for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He has also served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns (from 2011 to 2017) and the Chicago Bears (from 2018 to 2021), and has more than 20 years of coaching experience between the high school, collegiate and professional levels. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Tabor earned a degree in physical education in 1993 at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Benedictine Ravens. He was an all-conference selection and team MVP in 1992, when the Ravens won the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) championship, and advanced to the NAIA Division II national semifinals. In 2017 Tabor was elected into the Benedictine College Hall of Fame. [2] He earned his master's degree in education in 1999 from Columbia (Mo.) College.

Coaching career

Early career

Tabor started his coaching career in 1993 as an assistant at his alma mater, Benton High School, in St. Joseph, Missouri. The following year, he coached running backs at Hutchinson Community College, in Hutchinson, Kansas, before serving as the offensive coordinator at Central Methodist University from 1995 to 1996.

Missouri

In 1997, Tabor was hired by the University of Missouri as a graduate assistant. He would serve in that role for three years before being promoted to their running backs and special teams coach in 2000. While Tabor was there, the Tigers ranked in the nation's top 10 for rushing offense and they played in two bowl games.

Culver–Stockton College

In 2001, Tabor was hired as the head football coach at Culver–Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. He led the program to a 6–5 record, the school's first winning season in 15 years. [3] In Tabor's only season there, his team set school records for points scored, touchdowns and total yards, and ranked 17th in the NAIA in total defense and 10th in pass defense.

Utah State

In 2002, Tabor joined Utah State University as their assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. In 2005, he served as their running backs and special teams coach.

Western Michigan University

Tabor spent two seasons (2006 and 2007) at Western Michigan University as the running backs and special teams coach.

Chicago Bears (first stint)

Tabor left college-level football and got his first shot in the National Football League (NFL) when he spent three seasons (2008–2010) as assistant special teams coach with the Chicago Bears. He worked under coordinator Dave Toub on head coach Lovie Smith's staff. During Tabor's tenure with the Bears, Chicago consistently ranked among the league leaders in numerous departments. The Bears ranked in the top five in no less than nine different special teams categories combined over that three-year period. Chicago led the NFL in total return yards (6,570) and kickoff return yards (5,415), posted the second-best kickoff return average (25.1), ranked third in punt return defense (7.1) and produced the fifth-best punt return average (10.4). The Bears also registered six total kick returns for touchdowns in that time, which tied for second-most in the league. [4]

Cleveland Browns

In 2011, Tabor was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their special teams coordinator. During Tabor's tenure in Cleveland, the Browns were the only NFL team to have earned at least one AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award each season from 2011 to 2016. In total, the Browns won seven AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards. He also oversaw kicker Phil Dawson [5] and returner Joshua Cribbs [6] in 2012 when both were selected to the Pro Bowl, marking just the second time in team history that two specialists made the annual all-star game in the same season. Also during his tenure with the Browns, they led the NFL in punt return average (11.3 yards), were first in kickoff return average against (19.8) and were tied for sixth in punt return touchdowns (4).

Chicago Bears (second stint)

On January 12, 2018, Tabor returned to the Chicago Bears as their special teams coordinator under head coach Matt Nagy. [7]

On October 25, 2021, Nagy tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in Tabor taking over as the interim head coach. On October 31, Tabor made his NFL head coaching debut in the Bears' Week 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers, with the Bears suffering a 33-22 loss.

Carolina Panthers

On January 27, 2022, Tabor was hired by the Carolina Panthers as their special teams coordinator under head coach Matt Rhule. [8] On November 27, 2023, Tabor was named interim head coach after head coach Frank Reich was fired. [9] Tabor completed the season, leading the Panthers to a 1-5 record. On January 26, 2024, he was let go by the Panthers. [10] [11]

Personal life

Tabor grew up in a football family; his father, Don, coached high school football in Missouri for 40 years and all of his brothers (Donnie, Matt and Michael) played football at Benedictine College. [12]

Tabor and his wife, Nikki (nee Graves), have two daughters, Paityn and Lainey.

Head coaching record

College

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Culver–Stockton Wildcats (Heart of America Athletic Conference)(2001)
2001 Culver–Stockton6–55–5T–4th
Culver–Stockton:6–55–5
Total:6–5

NFL

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
CHI* 2021 010.000————
CHI total010.000———
CAR* 2023 150.1674th in NFC South————
CAR total150.167———
Total160.14300.000

*Interim head coach

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romeo Crennel</span> American football player and coach (born 1947)

Romeo Crennel is a former American football coach, who was the senior advisor for football performance for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). A former long-time coaching assistant to Bill Parcells, Crennel served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2008 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012, as well an assistant coach for six NFL teams and four collegiate teams. He has over 50 years of coaching experience, which has included consistently being employed as a coach for all but two seasons since 1970, only taking the 2009 and 2013 seasons off following both of his tenures as a permanent head coach. He has five Super Bowl wins as assistant coach, two with the New York Giants and three with the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Fox (American football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1955)

John Fox is an American football coach and former player who is a senior defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2002–2010), Denver Broncos (2011–2014) and Chicago Bears (2015–2017) of the National Football League (NFL). He coached the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII and the Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Harris (safety)</span> American football player and coach (born 1982)

Chris Harris is an American football coach and former safety who is the passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft after playing college football for the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Childress</span> American football coach (born 1956)

Brad Childress is a former American football coach. He worked for over 40 years as a coach for various college programs and National Football League (NFL) franchises. He was the offensive coordinator for Wisconsin from 1994 to 1998, the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2005, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2010, the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2012, and the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016.

William Scott Musgrave is an American football coach and former player who is the senior offensive assistant for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He is a former quarterback, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for multiple NFL teams. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning all-conference honors in the Pac-10. He is also the uncle of Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hue Jackson</span> American football coach (born 1965)

Hue Jackson is an American football coach who was most recently the head football coach at Grambling State University. An offensive assistant at both the collegiate and professional levels, he held coordinator positions in the National Football League (NFL) with the Washington Redskins in 2003, the Atlanta Falcons in 2007, the Oakland Raiders in 2010, and the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014 to 2015. He also served as the head coach of the Raiders in 2011 and Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018. Jackson compiled a 3–36–1 record with the Browns, including a winless season in 2017, which is the worst record among coaches who presided over an NFL team for at least 40 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Chudzinski</span> American football player and coach (born 1968)

Robert Matthew Chudzinski is an American football coach who is currently the associate head coach on offense for the Boston College Eagles. Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator for several National Football League (NFL) teams and was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns during the 2013 NFL season.

Isaiah "Mike" Caldwell, Jr. is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach & run game coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the inside defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 to 2023. After the entire Jacksonville defensive staff was fired in early 2024, he joined the Las Vegas Raiders as their linebackers coach and run game coordinator.

Steven Bernard Wilks is an American football coach and former player. He last served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. He served as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He has also served as defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers, as well as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Missouri. He played college football at Appalachian State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Tucker</span> American football player and coach (born 1972)

Melvin Gene Tucker II is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Michigan State University from 2020 to 2023.

Thomas Brown is an American football coach and former running back who is the passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Brown previously served as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at the University of Miami. He played college football at Georgia. Thereafter, he played professionally in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns.

John Frank Bonamego is an American football coach who serves as a senior coaching assistant for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He played college football at Central Michigan and also was head coach of the team from 2015 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Dray</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

James Russell Dray is an American football coach and former tight end who is currently the tight ends coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He also played for the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers.

The 2011 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 63rd season as a professional sports franchise and its 59th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The team had hoped to improve on its 2010 season, where it finished with a record of 5–11 and placed third in the AFC North, however, the team was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14. This season marked the second season under the leadership of team president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert, as well as the first season under head coach Pat Shurmur. The Browns played all of their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jeff Rodgers is an American football coach who is the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as a coach for the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.

Sean Desai is an American football coach who last served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He is the first NFL coordinator of Indian descent. He previously served as the associate head coach and defensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, as well as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears, Boston College, University of Miami and Temple University.

Richard Hightower is an American football coach currently serving as special teams coordinator of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).

Shawn Mennenga is an American football coach. He was the special teams coordinator for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League from 2019 to 2020. since 2019. After beginning his NFL coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in 2011 under Pat Shurmur after years of college coaching experience. During 2018 Shawn became the special teams coordinator for Vanderbilt before ultimately returning to the NFL.

Bill Shuey is an American football coach and former defensive back who is the outside linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears, Widener Pride, West Chester Golden Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Bobby Babich is an American football coach and former player who is the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and previously served as a coach with the Kent State Golden Flashes, Eastern Illinois Panthers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and FIU Panthers.

References

  1. ↑ "Chris Tabor biography". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ "2017 Benedictine College Homecoming Features Hall of Fame Inductions". August 31, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Guenther resigns as Culver-Stockton College football coach". October 7, 2009.
  4. ↑ Cabot, Mary Kay (January 25, 2011). "Cleveland Browns hire former Bears assistant Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator". The Plain Dealer . Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  5. ↑ Hangst, Andrea (December 27, 2012). "Finally, Cleveland Browns Kicker Phil Dawson Makes the Pro Bowl". Bleacher Report . Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  6. ↑ Matt, Florjancic (January 27, 2013). "Cribbs proud to make Pro Bowl". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ Finley, Patrick (January 12, 2018). "Chris Tabor is the Bears' new special teams coordinator". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  8. ↑ Gantt, Darin (January 27, 2022). "Panthers agree to terms with Chris Tabor". Carolina Panthers . Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  9. ↑ Gantt, Darin (November 27, 2023). "Panthers part ways with head coach Frank Reich". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Report: Panthers will not retain Chris Tabor, allowing him to interview elsewhere". NBC Sports. January 26, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Check out the Legends Round Table". www.panthers.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. ↑ Matt, Florjancic (November 10, 2013). "Chris Tabor driven by memory of father, his coaching legacy". Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved November 10, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.