Brentson André Buckner (born September 30, 1971) is an American professional football coach and former defensive tackle who most recently was the defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers.[1]
| Personal information | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | September 30, 1971 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 305 lb (138 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Carver (Columbus, Georgia) | ||||||||
| College: | Clemson | ||||||||
| Position: | Defensive line coach | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1994 / round: 2 / pick: 50 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| As a player: | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| As a coach: | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Record at Pro Football Reference | |||||||||
Playing career
editCollege career
editBuckner played college football at Clemson University, and was a first-team All-ACC selection in his senior year. In addition to ranking fourth all-time in school history with 46 tackles for a loss, he also set a school record with a 1,220 pound lift on a leg sled.
National Football League
editPittsburgh Steelers
editBuckner was selected in the second round (50th overall) of the 1994 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[2][3] After missing the first three games of the season, he played in the last 13, and started both playoff games. During one game against the Buffalo Bills, he blocked a field goal. The following season, he was a regular starter for the Steelers, and was an integral part of the defense that led them to Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cincinnati Bengals
editIn 1997, Buckner was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason. He was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals before the 1997 NFL season. He missed two games that season with an injury suffered against the Steelers, his former team.
San Francisco 49ers
editIn 1998, Buckner signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He notched his third career blocked field goal against the team he would later play for, the Carolina Panthers. He played with the Niners for three seasons.
Carolina Panthers
editIn 2001, Buckner signed with the Carolina Panthers, pairing up with Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins to form what many experts called the most dominating front four defensive line in football. The four led the Panthers defense to Super Bowl XXXVIII against the New England Patriots.
On March 1, 2006, Buckner was released by the Panthers.
Post retirement
editAfter retirement, Buckner hosted a midday show on WFNZ in Charlotte, with former NFL Offensive lineman Frank Garcia. The Frank and Buck Show aired weekdays from 11am-3pm.[4] He has also been seen on the NFL Network and ESPN as an NFL analyst.
Coaching career
editNorthside Christian Academy
editIn 2008, Buckner was hired as the head coach of the Northside Christian Academy football team in Charlotte, North Carolina along with former NFL players, Myron Bell, Mo Collins, and Omari Jordan who were his assistant coaches.
Pittsburgh Steelers
editIn 2010, Buckner was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an intern and he would spend three seasons with the team.
Arizona Cardinals (first stint)
editOn February 5, 2013, Buckner was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their defensive line coach under head coach Bruce Arians.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
editOn February 19, 2018, Buckner was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their defensive line coach.
Oakland Raiders
editOn January 12, 2019, Buckner was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their defensive line coach, following the Buccaneers' hiring of head coach Bruce Arians. On January 14, 2020, Buckner was fired after one year with the team.[5]
Arizona Cardinals (second stint)
editOn February 5, 2020, Buckner was hired by the Arizona Cardinals, returning to be their defensive line coach under head coach Kliff Kingsbury.[6][7]
Jacksonville Jaguars
editOn February 17, 2022, Buckner was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive line coach under head coach Doug Pederson.[8] He was fired from this role on January 8, 2024.[9]
Personal life
editBuckner and his wife, Denise, have two daughters, Nia and Nya and a son, Brandon.[10] He also has an older son, Brentson Jr.
References
edit- ^ "Brentson Buckner Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "1994 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ "Brentson Buckner Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "Frank and Buck « CBS Charlotte". Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "Report: Raiders fire D-line coach Buckner after one season". NBCS Bay Area. January 14, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (January 29, 2020). "Brentson Buckner back to Arizona". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "The Official Site of the Arizona Cardinals".
- ^ "Jaguars Finalize 2022 Coaching Staff". Jacksonville Jaguars. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jags fire defensive coordinator Caldwell, others". ESPN.com. January 9, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "The Official Site of the Arizona Cardinals".