Greensboro College Names Former
NFL Player
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Former NFL wide receiver Alexander Wright has been named football offensive coordinator at Greensboro College, announced Pride Athletics Director Kim Strable. “We feel fortunate to have attracted such a talented and intelligent young coach to our football program,” said Strable. “As well as being a great collegiate and professional player, Alexander has been a true student of the game. He has incorporated the nuts and bolts from some of the best in the business into his own coaching philosophy.” Wright joins Head Coach Neal Mitchell’s staff after serving one season at West Texas A&M University. He served as outside receiver’s coach for WTAMU. Last year the Buffalos were the second-rated NCAA Division II passing offense, boasting 350 yards in the air each game. The team ended the 2004 season with a 2-8 record, with five of its losses by 10 points or fewer. “Coach Wright shares the same offensive philosophy--the one-back set--that we recently implemented,” said Mitchell. “That should help us hit the ground running and make for a great transition.” Wright hopes to jump start a Pride team that was 2-8 and averaged 15 points per game last year. Nicknamed “Ace,” Wright was a second round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 NFL draft--right behind Emmitt Smith. Wright played at Auburn University from 1986-89 for Coach Pat Dye. During that time the Tigers went 39-7-2, winning Southeastern Conference championships in 1987 and 1988, and a tri-championship in Wright's senior year of 1989. Wright caught 56 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns during his Auburn career. He is the career leader in yards per reception (23.6). His greatest day was Sept. 9, 1989 against Pacific, when he caught five passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Wright was given the Shug Jordan Award (named after the legendary Auburn coach) in 1989 as the outstanding senior football player. In 34 games with the Cowboys from 1990-1992, Wright caught 21 passes for 274 yards. He also returned 41 kickoffs for 907 yards (22.1 yards per return) and two TDs. While with the Cowboys, Wright caught passes from legendary Dallas signal-caller Troy Aikman. Wright was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders prior to the trading deadline in 1992. For the Raiders he caught 55 passes for 931 yards and eight touchdowns. He also returned 38 kickoffs for 774 yards. He finished his NFL career in 1995 and 1996 with the St. Louis Rams. His seven-year NFL totals are: 86 games; 101 receptions for 1,597 yards; 10 TD's; and 79 kickoff returns for 1,681 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a two-time winner of the NFL's "Fastest Man" competition and once ran back-to-back 40-yard dashes in a lightning-fast 4.09 seconds for the Dallas Cowboys. A native of Albany, Ga., Wright was the wide receivers coach at Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Mo. He also previously coached at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, Mo., Hazelwood West High School in Hazelwood, Mo., and Lindenwood University. In addition, Wright was an intern coach with the St. Louis Rams and a scout for the New England Patriots in 2000. Wright also served as interim head coach of the River City Renegades and General Manager of the Show Me Believers of the National Indoor Football League. Wright received his Bachelor of Science degree in adult education from Auburn in 1990, and a Master of Arts in sports management from Lindenwood in 1999. Wright and his wife Veerle have four children, Zaccheus, Quinlan, Adonica, and Adin. His family recently relocated to the Piedmont Triad. More Quotes on Alexander Wright “Coach
Wright fits the mold of what we look for in our leadership roles: character,
integrity and a passion to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Those are prerequisites for us at Greensboro College and we’re confident
Alexander will have a huge impact in our community.”
“Coach
Wright has an impressive playing career. He also has worked with some great
football minds, Mike Martz of the Rams and Dick Vermeil of the Chiefs to
name two. But underlying that is a humbleness, which says a lot about who
he really is.”
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athletic web pages can be addressed to: blowe@gborocollege.edu |
