Marcus Dixon facts for kids
Dixon in training camp in 2009.
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| Minnesota Vikings | |||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive line coach | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | September 16, 1984 Rome, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 295 lb (134 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Lindale (GA) Pepperell | ||||||||
| College: | Hampton | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2008 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| As coach: | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
| Player stats at CFL.ca (archive) | |||||||||
Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984) is an American football coach. He used to play as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. Today, he is the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Dixon first joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at Hampton University.
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Playing Football in High School
Marcus Dixon went to Pepperell High School. There, he was a talented athlete, playing football, basketball, and running track. In his junior year, he made 98 tackles, which means he stopped the opposing team's players many times. He also had 3 sacks and defended 7 passes. These achievements earned him first-team All-area honors.
He also showed his strength in track and field. He placed third in the regional shot put and discus events. During his senior year, he had a knee injury that kept him from playing football for a while.
Marcus was a very good student in high school. He was offered a scholarship to play college football at Hampton University.
College Football Journey
Dixon accepted a football scholarship from Division I-AA Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. As a freshman, he played in all 12 games, starting in 6 of them. He had 38 tackles and 9 tackles for loss, showing his skills right away.
In his second year, he started 9 out of 10 games. He recorded 33 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss. He also made one interception.
As a junior, Marcus started all 11 games. He played both defensive end and defensive tackle. He made 25 tackles, 4 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss.
During his senior year, Dixon had an amazing season. He made 58 tackles, 5 sacks, and led his team with 16 tackles for loss. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered one. In one game, he even caught a 13-yard touchdown pass while playing as a tight end.
Over his four years at Hampton, Dixon finished with 154 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He was a team captain three times. He was also chosen for the All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team in his last two years. He helped his team win 3 MEAC championships.
Playing in the NFL
Dallas Cowboys
After college, Marcus Dixon signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. He was an undrafted free agent, meaning he wasn't chosen in the NFL draft but was signed afterward. He dealt with injuries during his first preseason. He was later released by the team.
In 2009, he again faced injuries during the preseason. He was released but then signed to the Cowboys' practice squad. In 2010, he had limited playing time in the preseason and was released again.
New York Jets
On September 5, 2010, the New York Jets picked up Marcus Dixon. He played in 3 games and started one, making 4 tackles and one sack.
In 2011, Dixon signed a new contract with the Jets. He played in all 16 games that season, starting 3 of them. He recorded 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced one fumble.
He was released by the Jets in September 2012 but was re-signed a few days later. He played in 3 more games before being released again. During his time with the Jets, he played in 22 games, starting 4. He made 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Kansas City Chiefs
In February 2013, Dixon signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was cut from the team before the regular season began in August.
Tennessee Titans
Marcus Dixon signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans in January 2014. He was released by the team during the final cuts in August.
BC Lions (CFL)
In October 2014, Dixon joined the BC Lions practice roster in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in his first CFL game against the Calgary Stampeders. He signed with the team again in March 2015 but decided to retire from playing football in April 2015.
Coaching Career
Starting as a Coach
After his playing career, Marcus Dixon started coaching. In 2012, he was a volunteer defensive line coach at Shorter University. In 2015, he received a special coaching fellowship with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2016, he became an assistant football coach at Darlington School, working with the defensive line and tight ends.
Coaching at Hampton University
In 2017, Dixon returned to his old college, Hampton University, as an assistant football coach for the defensive line. In 2018, he also became the Director of Player Development. By 2019, he was coaching defensive ends and helping with player development and recruiting new players.
Coaching for the Rams
The Los Angeles Rams hired Marcus Dixon as their assistant defensive line coach on February 23, 2021. That year, Dixon achieved a major goal: he won his first Super Bowl championship! The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
Coaching for the Denver Broncos
On February 18, 2022, Dixon was hired by the Denver Broncos. He became the team's defensive line coach for the 2022 season and continued in that role through 2023.
