Jerricho Cotchery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jerricho Cotchery

Cotchery with the New York Jets in 2009
Limestone Saints
Position:	Head coach
Personal information
Born:	(1982-06-16) June 16, 1982 (age 43) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	John Herbert Phillips Academy (Birmingham, Alabama)
College:	NC State (2000–2003)
NFL Draft:	2004 / Round: 4 / Pick: 108
Career history
As player:
New York Jets (2004–2010) Pittsburgh Steelers (2011–2013) Carolina Panthers (2014–2015)
As coach:
Carolina Panthers (2017–2019) Assistant wide receivers coach Limestone (2022–2023) Assistant head coach & wide receivers coach Limestone (2024–present) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
2× First-team All-ACC (2002, 2003)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 524 Receiving yards: 6,623 Receiving touchdowns: 34
Head coaching record
Career:	8–3 (.727)
Player stats at PFR

Jerricho Cotchery (born June 16, 1982) is an American football coach and a former player. He used to play as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Since 2024, he has been the head football coach for Limestone University. Cotchery played for the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2015. Before joining the NFL, he played college football at North Carolina State University.

Growing Up and High School Years

Jerricho Cotchery grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. He went to Phillips High School. In high school, he was a star player in both football and basketball. He played as a wide receiver and defensive back in football. He was even named to the All-State team in his junior and senior years. Cotchery also played shooting guard on the basketball team.

College Football Career

Cotchery studied sports management at North Carolina State University. He played in 49 games for the North Carolina State Wolfpack. In 2002 and 2003, he was chosen for the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team.

Cotchery set new school records at NC State. He had 200 career receptions and 15 games where he gained over 100 receiving yards. These records were previously held by Torry Holt. Cotchery and Holt are the only two wide receivers in NC State history to have two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Cotchery also tied a school record by catching at least one pass in 39 straight games.

He also made his mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). His 15 games with 100+ receiving yards tied him for second place in ACC history. He ranks fourth in career receptions and career receiving yards in the ACC. Cotchery and Peter Warrick are the only two receivers in ACC history with over 200 career receptions and over 3,000 career receiving yards.

Playing in the NFL

Time with the New York Jets

The New York Jets picked Cotchery in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He was the 108th player chosen overall. Even though he was picked later in the draft, he had a very successful career.

First Seasons (2004-2005)

In 2004, Cotchery played in 12 games. He caught six passes for 60 yards. He also returned kicks, averaging 27.8 yards per return with one touchdown.

In 2005, Cotchery became the Jets' third-string wide receiver after an injury to another player. He played in 16 games and caught 19 passes for 251 yards.

Breakout Year (2006)

In 2006, the new Jets coach, Eric Mangini, praised Cotchery. He became a starting wide receiver. In Week 1, he caught his first NFL touchdown pass. The next week, he had 121 receiving yards and another touchdown.

Cotchery continued to play well throughout the season. He had a 71-yard catch against the New England Patriots. He also scored touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers. The Jets finished the season with a 10–6 record and made the playoffs. Cotchery ended the regular season with 82 catches and 961 yards. He also had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Jets' playoff game.

Strong Performance (2007)

Cotchery signed a new contract with the Jets in March 2007. In Week 2, he set a new personal best with 165 receiving yards against the Baltimore Ravens. He scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 7.

Even though the Jets had a tough season with a 4–12 record, Cotchery had his best year yet. He led the team with 82 receptions and 1,130 receiving yards. He also had two receiving touchdowns.

Playing with Brett Favre (2008)

In 2008, the Jets got famous quarterback Brett Favre. Favre threw his first touchdown as a Jet to Cotchery in the first game. In Week 4, Cotchery caught two touchdowns from Favre.

The Jets had a good start, reaching an 8–3 record. Cotchery helped them win key games against the New England Patriots and the undefeated Tennessee Titans. He finished the season with 71 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns. He started all 16 games.

Leading Receiver (2009)

Cotchery became the Jets' main receiver in 2009. He had a strong start with 90 yards in Week 1. In Week 3, he caught eight passes for 108 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

The Jets made the playoffs with a 9–7 record. Cotchery helped them win against the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers. They reached the AFC Championship game, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Cotchery had 100 receiving yards in that championship game.

Final Jets Season (2010)

In 2010, the Jets traded for another wide receiver, Santonio Holmes. This made Cotchery the third-choice receiver. He played in 14 games, catching 41 passes for 433 yards and two touchdowns. He was released by the Jets in August 2011.

Time with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Cotchery in 2013

Cotchery joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in August 2011. In his first season with them, he had 16 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

He re-signed with the Steelers for two more years in 2012. In the 2012 season, he had 17 catches for 205 yards. In 2013, Cotchery had a great year, catching 46 passes for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Time with the Carolina Panthers

Joining the Panthers (2014)

Cotchery signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in March 2014. He played in 15 games and started 13. He finished the season with 48 catches for 580 yards and one touchdown.

Super Bowl Appearance (2015)

In 2015, Cotchery played in 14 games and started three. He had 39 catches for 485 yards and three touchdowns.

The Carolina Panthers made it to Super Bowl 50, which was Cotchery's first time playing in the Super Bowl. The Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos 24–10. Cotchery caught two passes for 17 yards in the game. After the 2015 season, Cotchery did not sign with another NFL team.

NFL Career Statistics

Coaching Career

In 2017, Cotchery started coaching for the Carolina Panthers. He was an assistant wide receivers coach. He left the Panthers coaching staff in 2020. Since 2024, he has been the head coach for the Limestone Saints football team.

Personal Life

Jerricho Cotchery grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. He was one of 13 children in his family. He played both basketball and football in high school.

Cotchery married his wife, Mercedes, in 2004. They have five children, three of whom they adopted.

Head Coaching Record

Images for kids

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  Cotchery lines up for the play.