Chuck Cecil champions a “NO FEAR” culture to coach and play the game of football with integrity and intensity. A deeply respected leader, teacher and molder of men in a team environment, Chuck has helped produce some of the games’ best defenses and players.
In 2017, Cecil returned to his alma mater, the University of Arizona, as the senior defensive football analyst for the Wildcats. Cecil has worked alongside two coaching staffs to help Arizona become more successful on and off of the field. From game-planning to NCAA guidelines and community engagement, Cecil adds deep value to the Wildcats’ game strategies while building a positive culture of respect and teamwork.
Cecil came to Arizona after rising 15-years through the NFL ranks. In 2015, Cecil was promoted to senior defensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams. “Chuck has been a huge contributor to this staff, and he’s been promoted to a big-picture, coordinator perspective, overseeing everything,” said Head Coach, Jeff Fisher. The Rams defense ranked 6th in the League.
Prior, Cecil shared the defensive coordinator responsibilities and served as the defensive backs coach for the St. Louis Rams. The defense improved from 26th (2011) to 14th (2012). Cecil brought experience and credibility to the defense while cultivating his young secondary players in the fundamentals of the game. In 2014, the secondary ranked 2nd for the fewest passing touchdowns in the league.
During the 2010 and 2009 seasons, Cecil was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He was the architect of a solid run and pressure-oriented defense, which finished the 2009 season ranked 11th overall in the NFL. Tennessee ranked 8th in the league in interceptions (20) and second in interceptions returned for touchdown (4). During his final three years, the Titans defense ranked 3rd in the NFL in interceptions (62) behind only Green Bay and Baltimore. Over his last 10 games, the Titans had an 8-2 record and the defense ranked 11th in the league in scoring defense over that period. An elite secondary coach, Cecil taught, developed a defensive back core that grew into one of the finest secondary units in the league. During the 2008 season as the defensive back coach, three of the four players were invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in their careers. It was the first time in franchise history that three players from the same secondary represented the team in the Pro Bowl. Overall, they snared 19 interceptions, which ranked second in the NFL.
With over 29-years of collegiate and NFL experience, Cecil offers an unsurpassed commitment to accountability, character and success both on and off of the field. A NCAA Hall of Fame Inductee, Academic All-American and former NFL Pro Bowl defensive back, Cecil began his coaching career as a quality control coach and showcased how discipline, accountability and passion, when a part of an effective and positive culture, can lead to personal and professional success.
