Chris Rumph (born December 21, 1971) is an American football coach who is currently the defensive ends coach at Clemson University. He previously served as the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Rumph previously coached at the collegiate level for over 15 years.[2]

Chris Rumph
Clemson Tigers
Position:Defensive ends coach
Personal information
Born: (1971-12-21) December 21, 1971 (age 52)
St. Matthews, South Carolina, U.S.
Career information
High school:Calhoun County
College:South Carolina
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards

Playing career

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At the University of South Carolina, Rumph played on the defensive side at linebacker for South Carolina under head coaches Sparky Woods and Brad Scott.

Coaching career

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Early coaching career

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After a spring as a graduate assistant at his college alma mater, Rumph, would go on to be the head coach at his former high school for five years,[3] After a one-year stint with South Carolina State coaching defensive backs and three years coaching outside linebackers at Memphis, Rumph joined Clemson’s staff and remained there for five seasons.

Alabama

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From there, Rumph moved to Alabama [4] to replace Bo Davis. There, he won back-to-back BCS national championships as the team’s defensive line coach.[5][6]

Texas

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Rumph spent the 2014 season at Texas as the team’s assistant head coach for defense/defensive line.

Florida

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Rumph joined the Gators’ staff as a defensive line coach in 2015 and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season. He served as Florida's full-time defensive coordinator for the final four games of the season after Randy Shannon was promoted to interim head coach when Jim McElwain was fired.[7]

Tennessee

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Rumph worked as the defensive coordinator for Tennessee in 2018 and 2019.[8][9]

Houston Texans

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Rumph then made the jump to the NFL and worked as the team’s outside linebackers coach for the 2020 season.[10][11]

Chicago Bears

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In 2021, Rumph became the defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears.[12] He was not retained by the team following the firing of head coach Matt Nagy after the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Minnesota Vikings

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In 2022, Rumph became the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Personal life

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Rumph and his wife, Kila, are parents of two sons.[1] He also has a daughter from before marriage. One son, Chris Rumph II played college football at Duke and was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 13th pick in Round 4 (118th overall) of the 2021 draft.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Chris Rumph". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Chicago Bears hire Chris Rumph as defensive line coach". WesternMassNews.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Report: Bears hiring Chris Rumph as defensive line coach". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Kirkwood, Walter. "Alabama Defensive Line Overhaul To Be Led by Chris Rumph". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Chicago Bears hire Chris Rumph as defensive line coach". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Walsh, Christopher. "Where Are They Now: Former Alabama Defensive Line Coach Chris Rumph". Sports Illustrated Alabama Crimson Tide News, Analysis and More. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  7. ^ Sallee, Barrett. "Florida Football: Chris Rumph Will Keep the Gators DL Elite". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  8. ^ Fleser, Dan. "UT Vols' Chris Rumph: 'It's an ugly baby right now'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Bratton, Michael Wayne (August 3, 2018). "Chris Rumph explains decision to turn down Dan Mullen's offer to stay at Florida for Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee". Saturday Down South. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Lambert, Terry A. (February 10, 2020). "Reports: Chris Rumph joining the Texans staff". Rocky Top Talk. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  11. ^ "Source: Bears hire Chris Rumph as defensive line coach". RSN. January 28, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Wiltfong, Lester A. Jr. (January 28, 2021). "Bears hire Chris Rumph as defensive line coach". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "Chris Rumph II - 2020 - Football". Duke University. Retrieved February 16, 2021.