Jerricho Cotchery facts for kids
Cotchery with the New York Jets in 2009
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| Limestone Saints | |||||||
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| Position: | Head coach | ||||||
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| Born: | June 16, 1982 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||
| Career: | 8–3 (.727) | ||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Jerricho Cotchery (born June 16, 1982) is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He is the head football coach for Limestone University. He has held this position since 2024. Jerricho played in the National Football League (NFL) from 2004 to 2015. He played for the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Before turning pro, he played college football for North Carolina State University.
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Early Life and High School Sports
Jerricho Cotchery grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. He went to Phillips High School. There, he was a star player in both football and basketball. In football, he played wide receiver and defensive back. He was named to the All-State team twice. He earned a varsity letter in both sports for all four years of high school.
College Football Career
Jerricho Cotchery studied sports management at North Carolina State University. He played 49 games for the NC State Wolfpack. In 2002 and 2003, he was chosen for the First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This means he was one of the best players in his college league.
Cotchery broke two school records at NC State. He had 200 career receptions. He also had fifteen games where he gained over 100 receiving yards. Only two wide receivers in NC State history have had two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Jerricho Cotchery is one of them. He also tied a school record. He caught at least one pass in 39 straight games.
In the ACC, Cotchery tied for second place with 15 games of 100+ receiving yards. He also ranks fourth in career receptions and receiving yards. He is one of only two receivers in ACC history with over 200 career receptions and 3,000 career receiving yards.
Professional Football Career
Jerricho Cotchery was picked by the New York Jets in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the 108th player chosen overall. He was the 16th wide receiver picked. Many players chosen after him did not have as much success.
New York Jets (2004–2010)
First Seasons (2004-2005)
In his first year (2004), Cotchery played in 12 games. He caught six passes for 60 yards. He also returned kicks. He had 13 kick returns for 362 yards. One of these returns was for a touchdown.
In 2005, Cotchery started as the fourth wide receiver. Due to an injury to another player, he moved up to third string. He played in 16 games. He caught 19 passes for 251 yards.
Becoming a Starter (2006)
In 2006, the new Jets coach, Eric Mangini, praised Cotchery. He made him a starting wide receiver. In the first game, Cotchery caught his first NFL touchdown. The Jets played the New England Patriots in Week 2. Cotchery had 121 receiving yards and another touchdown. He also had a career-long 71-yard catch.
In Week 10, the Jets beat the Patriots. Cotchery had six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Jets finished the season with a 10–6 record. They made the playoffs as a wildcard team. Cotchery ended the regular season with 82 catches and 961 yards. In the playoffs, he had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. However, the Jets lost to the Patriots.
Continued Success (2007-2008)
Cotchery signed a new contract with the Jets in 2007. In Week 2, he set a new career high. He had 165 receiving yards against the Baltimore Ravens. He scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 7. He had six catches for 60 yards.
Cotchery injured his right index finger in November 2007. He only missed one game. In his first game back, he had 119 receiving yards. He finished the 2007 season with 82 catches and 1,130 yards. These were team highs.
In 2008, the Jets got quarterback Brett Favre. Favre threw his first Jets touchdown to Cotchery. Cotchery finished that game with 80 yards and a touchdown. In Week 4, Favre threw two touchdowns to Cotchery. Cotchery had 71 catches for 858 yards that season. He played and started in all 16 games.
Playoff Runs (2009-2010)
In 2009, Cotchery became the Jets' main receiver. He had 57 catches for 821 yards. The Jets made the playoffs with a 9–7 record. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers. This led them to the AFC Championship game. They lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Cotchery had 100 receiving yards in that game.
In 2010, the Jets traded for wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Cotchery became the third-choice receiver. He finished the season with 41 catches for 433 yards and two touchdowns. He was released by the Jets in August 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2011–2013)
Cotchery signed a one-year deal with 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, he had a great season. He caught 46 passes for 602 yards. He also scored 10 receiving touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers (2014–2015)
In 2014, Cotchery joined the Carolina Panthers. He missed one game due to a hamstring injury. He finished the season with 48 catches for 580 yards and one touchdown.
In 2015, Cotchery played in 14 games. He had 39 catches for 485 yards and three touchdowns. The Carolina Panthers made it to Super Bowl 50. This 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.
Jets Franchise Records
Jerricho Cotchery holds some records for the New York Jets:
- Most receptions in playoffs (30)
- Tied for most yards per reception in a playoff game (25 yards)
- Most total return yards in playoffs (294)
- Tied for most 100+ yard receiving games in playoffs (2)
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Cotchery became a coach. In 2017, he joined the Carolina Panthers coaching staff. He was the assistant wide receivers coach. He left the Panthers in 2020.
Since 2024, Jerricho Cotchery has been the head football coach for Limestone University. His team, the Limestone Saints, had an overall record of 8 wins and 3 losses in 2024.
Personal Life
Jerricho Cotchery grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. His father ran a lawn care service. His mother worked in a nursing home. He was one of 13 children in his family. He played both basketball and football in high school.
When he was 15, he was in a serious car accident. He still has scars from it. Jerricho was born with six fingers on his left hand. One of them was later removed.
Cotchery married his wife, Mercedes, in 2004. They have five children together. Three of their children are adopted.
