Everett Withers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Everett Withers

Withers at the 2016 Sun Belt Media Day
Biographical details
Born	(1963-06-15) June 15, 1963 (age 62) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1981–1985	Appalachian State
Position(s)	Defensive back, linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1988	Austin Peay (DB)
1989	Austin Peay (DC)
1990	Austin Peay (WR/ST)
1991	Tulane (OLB)
1992–1993	Southern Miss (assistant ST/DB)
1994	New Orleans Saints (DQC)
1995–1997	Louisville (AHC/DC/DB)
1998–2000	Texas (DB)
2001–2006	Tennessee Titans (DB)
2007	Minnesota (DC)
2008–2010	North Carolina (DC/DB)
2011	North Carolina (interim HC)
2012–2013	Ohio State (AHC/co-DC/S)
2014–2015	James Madison
2016–2018	Texas State
2019	New York Giants (DB)
2020	Texas (analyst)
2021	FIU (AHC/DC/S)
2022	Temple (AHC)
2023 (spring)	Florida Atlantic (AHC/PGC)
2023–2024	Temple (DC/OLB)
2024	Temple (Interim HC/DC/OLB)
Head coaching record
Overall	32–43
Bowls	0–1
Tournaments	0–2 (NCAA D-I playoffs)

Everett Rowe Withers, born on June 15, 1963, is an American football coach and a former player. He has held many important coaching jobs, including being the head coach for the Texas State Bobcats and the James Madison Dukes. He also served as an interim (temporary) head coach for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Temple Owls. Withers has also coached defensive backs for NFL teams like the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.

Early Life and College Football

Everett Withers was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 15, 1963. He went to West Charlotte High School. After high school, he attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1985. While at Appalachian State, he was a great defensive back for the Mountaineers football team and was even a team captain.

Everett Withers' Coaching Journey

Withers began his coaching career at Austin Peay State University in 1988. He started as a defensive coordinator, helping to lead the team's defense. He also coached wide receivers and special teams there. After Austin Peay, he coached outside linebackers at Tulane University in 1991. A year later, he moved to the University of Southern Mississippi to coach defensive backs.

Coaching in the NFL and Colleges

In 1994, Withers joined the National Football League (NFL) with the New Orleans Saints. He worked as a defensive quality controller, helping to analyze the defense. He then became the defensive coordinator at the University of Louisville from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he joined the University of Texas at Austin as the defensive backs coach.

He returned to the NFL in 2001 to coach defensive backs for the Tennessee Titans. In 2007, he took on the role of defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota. He then became the defensive coordinator for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in 2008. On July 27, 2011, he was promoted to interim head coach at UNC.

Highlights of Defensive Coaching

Withers has had many successful moments as a coach. When he coached defensive backs for the Tennessee Titans, their defense was ranked among the top ten in 2002. From 2002 to 2004, the Titans made 57 interceptions, which was a record for the team over three years.

At UNC, his defense was very strong. In his first year, they made 20 interceptions. In 2009, his defense was ranked sixth best in the entire nation. They were also ranked in the top 15 for many other defensive stats, like stopping the run and preventing scores. The Carolina defense made 19 interceptions in both 2009 and 2010. Over his three years as defensive coordinator at UNC, his teams had a total of 58 interceptions.

Leading the Tar Heels in 2011

In 2011, Everett Withers became the interim head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels. The team started strong, beating James Madison University 42–10. They also defeated Rutgers University and the University of Virginia.

The Tar Heels had some exciting games that season. Running back Giovani Bernard had an amazing streak, rushing for over 100 yards in five straight games. Wide receiver Dwight Jones and quarterback Bryn Renner also set new school records. Jones had 79 receptions, and Renner threw 23 touchdown passes. The Tar Heels finished the regular season with a win over their rival, Duke University, with a score of 37–21.

Coaching the James Madison Dukes

On December 20, 2013, Withers became the head football coach at James Madison University. In his first year, he led the Dukes to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2011. He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year award, which recognizes the best coach in that division.

Time with the Texas State Bobcats

On January 6, 2016, Withers took the head coaching job at Texas State University. He coached the Texas State Bobcats for three seasons. During his time there, the team won 7 games and lost 28. Because the team didn't win enough games, Withers was let go from the position on November 18, 2018.

Recent Coaching Roles

After leaving Texas State, Withers joined the New York Giants in the NFL as the defensive backs coach in 2019. He then worked as a defensive analyst for the Texas Longhorns in 2020. In 2021, he became the defensive coordinator at FIU.

In January 2022, Withers joined the Temple Owls football program as Chief of Staff to the Head Coach. In November 2024, he became the interim head coach for Temple after their previous coach was fired. He served in this temporary role until a new permanent head coach was hired in December.

Everett Withers' Head Coaching Record