Carlos Polk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Carlos Polk

Polk with the San Diego Chargers in 2007
Chicago Bears
Position:	Assistant special teams coach
Personal information
Born:	(1977-02-22) February 22, 1977 (age 48) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	262 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:	Guilford (Rockford, Illinois)
College:	Nebraska (1996–2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 4 / Pick: 112
Career history
As player:
San Diego Chargers (2001–2007) Dallas Cowboys (2008)
As coach:
Grossmont College (2009) Assistant special teams coach San Diego Chargers (2010–2012) Assistant special teams coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014–2018) Assistant special teams coach Dallas Cowboys (2019) Assistant special teams coach Jacksonville Jaguars (2021) Assistant special teams coach Chicago Bears (2022–present) Assistant special teams coach
Career highlights and awards
National champion (1997) First-team All-American (2000) 2× First-team All-Big 12 (1999, 2000)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 74 Total tackles: 121 Sacks: 4.0 Forced fumbles: 2 Pass deflections: 1
Player stats at PFR

Carlos Devonn Polk (born February 22, 1977) is an American football coach. He used to be a professional linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Today, he works as an assistant special teams coach for the Chicago Bears.

Before joining the Bears, Carlos Polk coached for several other NFL teams. These include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers. He also coached at Grossmont College. Polk played college football at the University of Nebraska. The San Diego Chargers picked him in the 2001 NFL draft. He played for 8 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Early Life and High School Football

Carlos Polk grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He went to Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois. There, he was an amazing linebacker for the Vikings football team.

In his senior year, he made 152 tackles and 13 quarterback sacks. He also recovered 3 fumbles and blocked 3 kicks. Carlos Polk became one of the best tacklers in Illinois high school history. He finished his high school career with 453 tackles. He also blocked 7 kicks and caught 5 interceptions. Carlos Polk earned many awards, including being named an All-American. He also played basketball in high school.

Playing Career

College Football at Nebraska

Carlos Polk earned a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska. As a freshman, he was part of the team that won the National Championship in 1997. He played in 12 games, making 32 tackles and one sack.

In his second year, he played in all 13 games. He made 22 tackles, forced two fumbles, and even got an interception. As a junior, he became a starter at middle linebacker. He made 83 tackles and was great at getting to the quarterback.

In his senior year, he led his team with 90 tackles. He finished his college career with 227 tackles, which was 14th all-time at the school. In 2010, he was honored by being added to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

Playing in the NFL

Carlos Polk was chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. This was the 112th pick overall.

Time with the San Diego Chargers

As a rookie in 2001, he played in 6 games on special teams. He made 4 tackles before a shoulder injury ended his season. In 2002, his teammates voted him the Chargers Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the team with 13 tackles. He also made his first safety and blocked his first kick. In 2003, he was again voted co-Special Teams Player of the Year. He tied for the team lead with 16 tackles.

In 2004, he had another shoulder injury early in the season. In 2005, he suffered an Achilles injury during the off-season. In 2006, he had his best professional season. He made 32 defensive tackles and 2 sacks. He also had 19 special teams tackles. He received the team's Ed Block Courage Award for his bravery. In 2007, he started two games at inside linebacker. He was leading the team in special teams tackles when he got another shoulder injury. He was released by the Chargers in August 2008.

Time with the Dallas Cowboys

On October 16, 2008, Carlos Polk signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He joined his former defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, who was now the head coach. He helped the team with his strong play on special teams. He made 10 special teams tackles and blocked one punt. He was not re-signed by the Cowboys after the season.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

Coaching Career

After his playing career, Carlos Polk became a football coach.

Grossmont College

In 2009, Polk started his coaching journey at Grossmont College. He worked there as an assistant special teams coach.

San Diego Chargers

In 2010, Carlos Polk returned to the San Diego Chargers. This time, he was hired as their assistant special teams coach.

Dallas Cowboys

In 2013, Polk joined the Dallas Cowboys as a coaching intern. He worked under head coach Jason Garrett. In 2019, he returned to the Cowboys as an assistant special teams coach. He worked again with coach Jason Garrett. In January 2020, he left the Cowboys when a new head coach was hired.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2014, Polk became the assistant special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On January 31, 2021, Polk was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He worked as their assistant special teams coach.

Chicago Bears

On February 11, 2022, Carlos Polk joined the Chicago Bears. He is currently their assistant special teams coach.