Duce Staley

Last updated

Duce Staley
Duce Staley.png
Staley in 2013
Cleveland Browns
Position:Running backs coach
Personal information
Born: (1975-02-27) February 27, 1975 (age 49)
West Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school: Airport (West Columbia)
College: South Carolina
NFL draft: 1997  / round: 3 / pick: 71
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As player

As coach

  • Super Bowl champion (LII)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:5,785
Rushing average:4.0
Rushing touchdowns:24
Receptions:287
Receiving yards:2,587
Receiving touchdowns:10
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Duce Staley (born February 27, 1975) is an American football coach and former player who is the running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served in the same capacity with the Detroit Lions during the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, and with the Philadelphia Eagles in various assistant coaching roles from 2011 to 2020.

Contents

Staley played college football as a running back for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft, and during his playing career was best known for his tenure with the Eagles. Subsequently, he was a player with the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks. Following the end of his playing career, Staley began his coaching career as a special teams quality control coach in 2011. He was promoted to the running backs coach in 2013 and given an additional role as assistant head coach in 2018. Staley was a coach with the Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.

Early years

Staley attended Airport High School in West Columbia, South Carolina and was an All-State wide receiver, and played running back sparingly. [1]

Playing career

College

As a senior at the University of South Carolina in 1996, Staley was ranked 13th in the nation in rushing with 1,116 rushing yards. [1] [2] In his collegiate career at South Carolina, Staley attempted 345 rushes for 1,852 yards (5.4 yards per carry). He also caught 59 passes for 489 yards and two touchdowns.

National Football League

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
5 ft 11+18 in
(1.81 m)
220 lb
(100 kg)
31 in
(0.79 m)
8+78 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine [3]

Philadelphia Eagles

Staley was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1997 NFL draft and played for the Eagles through the 2003 season. [4] After his rookie season and the departure of Ricky Watters, Staley became the starter in a tumultuous 3–13 season which led to the dismissal of head coach Ray Rhodes. Under Andy Reid, Staley developed into the team's perennial leading receiver through Reid's screen-heavy West Coast offense. However, he played in only five games of the 2000 season due to a serious Lisfranc fracture. Staley also missed some playing time in 2001 due to a shoulder injury. Entering the 2003 season, Staley held out of training camp in an attempt to bargain for a new contract, as he was in the last year of his deal. [5] With Correll Buckhalter coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and Brian Westbrook entering his second season, the Eagles decided not to budge. This resulted in shared playing time among the three, as Westbrook became the premier back by season's end. They were known as the "Three-Headed Monster". [6] Consequently, the Eagles decided to not re-sign Staley.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Staley signed a five-year, $14 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 9, 2004. Staley had rooted for the Steelers when he was growing up. [7] He instantly became the number one running back for his new team, and was seen as the eventual heir apparent for Jerome Bettis, who at the time had the sixth-most career rushing yards in NFL history. [8]

Staley played in 10 games in 2004, and rushed for 830 yards. He only scored one touchdown however, as Bettis took most goal-line carries, and eventually took over the starting job since Staley missed six games.

In 2005, after both he and Bettis were injured, Willie Parker, an undrafted free agent, had a stellar season, and Staley, in another injury plagued season, was dropped to third-string, managing only 148 yards in five games, with a 3.9 yard per carry average. The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL, giving Staley his first ever championship.

Staley played just one snap in the Steelers' 2006 season-opening win against the Dolphins. [9] The Steelers signed former Packers' running back Najeh Davenport the next day, and deactivated Staley for the rest of the season. On December 3, 2006, the Steelers released Staley. [10] In his three-year tenure with the team, Staley played in just 16 games.

Retirement

Staley officially retired as an Eagle during the Eagles-Giants game on December 9, 2007. At halftime, Staley was escorted onto the field by former teammates for his retirement celebration featuring a brief ceremony and two highlight videos. [11]

NFL statistics

YearGames PlayedGames StartedAttemptsYardsTouchdownsAvg.ReceptionsRec. YardsRec. TouchdownsRec. Avg.Fumbles
199716072904.1222011.00
199816132581,06554.15743217.62
199916163251,27343.94129427.25
2000557934414.42520108.03
2001131016660423.66362629.93
200216162691,02953.851541310.63
20031649646354.836382210.62
2004101019283014.365509.23
2005513814813.963405.71
200610000--000--0
Totals114751,4305,785244.12872,587108.922

Coaching career

Philadelphia Eagles

Staley became a coaching intern for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2010 offseason. [12] On February 8, 2011, Staley was promoted to special teams quality control coach. [13] After the departure of Andy Reid, Staley remained on the new staff with Chip Kelly and was promoted to the team's running backs coach. Kelly was fired as the team's head coach in December 2015 and Staley was interviewed for the vacant head coaching job in January 2016. [14] Staley was retained as the team's running backs coach by new head coach Doug Pederson on January 20, 2016. [15] On February 4, 2018, Staley won his first Super Bowl as a coach, and second overall, as the Eagles defeated the Patriots, 41–33, in Super Bowl LII. [16] On February 20, 2018, Staley was promoted to assistant head coach while maintaining his running backs coach position. [17]

On August 2, 2020, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was diagnosed with COVID-19 during training camp. He planned to communicate with the team virtually during his quarantine, and he relinquished day-to-day head coaching duties to Staley in the interim. [18] Pederson returned to the team on August 12. [19]

The "Duce Staley drill", a practice drill that Staley created to enhance players' footwork, was added to the NFL Scouting Combine in 2020. [20] [21]

Detroit Lions

On January 25, 2021, Staley was hired by the Detroit Lions as their assistant head coach and running backs coach under head coach Dan Campbell.

Carolina Panthers

On February 1, 2023, Staley joined new head coach Frank Reich and the Carolina Panthers as the running backs coach and assistant head coach positions. On November 27, Staley was fired along with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and head coach Frank Reich. [22]

Cleveland Browns

On February 5, 2024, Staley officially joined the Cleveland Browns as their new running backs coach. [23]

Personal life

Staley is married to Maria Steadman, with three daughters and four sons. He is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, which is where he resides during the offseason. He underwent an innovative rehabilitation period prior to the 2001 season to become the first skill position NFL player known to return from a Lisfranc injury. [24] [25] He annually holds The Duce Staley Football Camp at West Chester University in Chester County, Pennsylvania, which benefits several charities, including First Steps Program in South Carolina, the Variety Club, and Direct Care for Kids. He launched the Catch 22 Foundation to help single mothers. He donated $25,000 to South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges First Steps early childhood education program in 1999 to help improve education in the state.

His son, Damani, played linebacker for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2018 to 2021. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Eagles</span> National Football League franchise in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Lincoln Financial Field in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

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

Douglas Irvin Pederson is an American professional football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Pederson played professionally as a quarterback, spending most of his 13-season career as a backup to Brett Favre on the Green Bay Packers, where he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXXI. Pederson was also a backup to Dan Marino on the Miami Dolphins and a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns until retiring in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Parker</span> American football player (born 1980)

Willie Everett Parker Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for North Carolina, he was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Correll Buckhalter</span> American football player (born 1978)

Correll Buckhalter is an American former professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played for the Eagles from 2001 to 2008, with three seasons lost due to injury. He played for the Denver Broncos for two seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Carmichael</span> American football player and administrator (born 1949)

Lee Harold Carmichael is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1983) and one year for the Dallas Cowboys (1984). Carmichael was the director of player development and alumni for the Eagles from 1998 to 2014, and a fan engagement liaison from 2014 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Peelle</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Justin Morris Peelle is a former American football tight end and coach who is the tight ends coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Davis (American football coach)</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Bill Davis is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL).

Ted J. Williams is a former American football coach who was a position coach with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons from 1995 to 2014. He was also an offensive coordinator for Washington State from 1991 to 1993.

The 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 72nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. It would be the first season the franchise would have under quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He would play 18 seasons as a Steeler, a franchise record.

The 1999 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 67th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the first under head coach Andy Reid. The team finished 5–11 and last place in the NFC East. The Eagles hired Reid away from the Green Bay Packers to be their new head coach prior to the start of the season. In the 1999 NFL draft, the team drafted quarterback Donovan McNabb with the second overall pick. Prior to McNabb taking over the starting role, the Eagles were quarterbacked by future head coach Doug Pederson, who led the Eagles to the win in Super Bowl LII. This would be the last year they missed the playoffs until 2005.

The 2000 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' sixty-eighth in the National Football League (NFL) and its second under head coach Andy Reid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Fangio</span> American football coach

Victor Mick Fangio is an American football coach who serves as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Fangio also recently served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. A 41-year coaching veteran with 33 seasons of NFL experience, Fangio was a defensive coordinator for 20 of the last 24 seasons at the NFL or college level before becoming the Broncos' head coach. He served as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator after leading the defenses for the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford University, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers.

Sherwood Press Taylor is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served an assistant coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnel Pumphrey</span> American football player and coach (born 1994)

Donnel Laray Pumphrey Jr. is an American college football coach and former player who is the running backs coach for California State University, Sacramento, a position he has held since 2023. Pumphrey played college football as a running back for the San Diego State Aztecs. He is the official all-time leader in rushing yards in NCAA Division I FBS history. Pumphrey was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, and spent offseasons with the Eagles and Detroit Lions. He played for the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendell Smallwood</span> American football player (born 1994)

Wendell Lynn Smallwood Jr. is a former American football running back. He played college football at West Virginia and was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Smallwood was also a member of the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Hurts</span> American football player (born 1998)

Jalen Alexander Hurts is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team to consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017. After being benched for Tua Tagovailoa during Alabama's victory in the latter championship, Hurts spent one season as a backup in 2018. He played his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners, leading them to an appearance in the 2019–20 College Football Playoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philly Special</span> Notable American football play in Super Bowl LII

The Philly Special, also known as Philly Philly, was an American football trick play between Philadelphia Eagles players Corey Clement, Trey Burton, and Nick Foles on fourth-down-and-goal toward the end of the second quarter of Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jemal Singleton</span> American football coach (born 1975)

Jemal Singleton is an American football coach who is the assistant head coach and running backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, University of Arkansas, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater and the United States Air Force Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Sanders</span> American football player (born 1997)

Miles Adam Sanders, nicknamed "Boobie Miles", is an American professional football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft after playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

References

  1. 1 2 Haney, Travis. "Staley to join staff at USC". The Post and Courier. Evening Post Publishing Co. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  2. "Duce Staley Forced Out At USC". FITSNews. Viewpolitik, LLC. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  3. "Duce Staley, Combine Results, RB - South Carolina". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  4. "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. O'Rourke, Larry (August 1, 2003). "Eagles sign their top pick McDougle". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  6. Eckel, Mark (June 5, 2011). "Eagles are loaded with potential at runningback". NJ.com. New Jersey On-Line LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  7. Blass, Eileen (March 9, 2004). "Steelers sign free-agent Duce Staley". USA Today . Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  8. "Steelers send Staley on his way". Chicago Tribune. December 5, 2006. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  9. "Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 7th, 2006 - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  10. "Steelers Release Staley, Place Reid on Injured List; Sign Familiar Faces". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  11. "DUUUUUCE!!!! To Retire As An Eagle". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. December 6, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. Kapadia, Sheil (July 27, 2010). "Practice observations: Ingram, Jauron, the WRs". philly.com. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  13. "Eagles finalize coaching staff - Philly" . Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  14. "Duce Staley interviews for Eagles' vacant coaching position". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. January 2, 2016.
  15. Berman, Zach (January 21, 2016). "Eagles retain seven coaches, add seven new ones". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  16. Jones, Lindsay H. (February 5, 2018). "Super Bowl 2018: Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  17. Berman, Zach (March 7, 2018). "Eagles make coaching changes official; two assistants added, six earn new titles/responsibilities". Inquirer.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  18. McManus, Tim (August 2, 2020). "Eagles coach Doug Pederson tests positive for COVID-19". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  19. McManus, Tim (August 12, 2020). "Doug Pederson back with Eagles after positive test". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  20. Smith, EJ (February 28, 2020). "NFL scouting combine: 'Duce Staley drill' was added to the running backs' workouts. What is it?". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  21. @Eagles (February 29, 2020). "No better person to run the Duce Staley Drill than the man himself!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 29, 2020 via Twitter.
  22. "Panthers move on from Duce Staley, Josh McCown". www.panthers.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  23. Russo, Kelsey (February 5, 2024). "Browns announce three additions to the coaching staff". clevelandbrowns.com.
  24. Paoloantonio, Sal (June 19, 2001). "Staley making progress in comeback". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  25. Marvez, Alex (August 12, 2003). "Rookie Linebacker Gone". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  26. "Damani Staley - Football". Damani Staley South Carolina Gamecocks Player Bio. Gamecocksonline. June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2020.