KNOXVILLE -- University of Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley announced Friday that the Vols have hired Charlie Coiner as special teams and tight ends coach. Coiner, who spent nine seasons on NFL coaching staffs with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, served as a defensive and special teams assistant with North Carolina in 2010.
“Charlie has a diverse background in professional and college coaching, and he has had consistent success at both levels,” said Dooley. “Charlie has also worked with several of our coaches, which will help make the transition and working dynamic seamless.”
In four seasons with the Bills from 2006-09, Coiner coached the team’s tight ends while serving as an assistant special teams coach. Buffalo tight ends combined for 58 receptions, 598 yards, and two touchdowns in 2008, including career highs in receptions (33) and yards (351) for Robert Royal. Second-year tight end Derek Schouman also produced 15 catches and 153 years in 2008. In 2006, Coiner’s first season coaching the unit, production from the tight end position increase, including a touchdown reception by a tight end in three consecutive games for the first time for the franchise since 1963.
Before joining the Bills, Coiner spent five seasons with the Chicago Bears, originally joining the organization in 2001 as an offensive assistant, a position he held for three seasons (2001-03). Coiner then served as assistant special teams coach for the Bears from 2004-05.
Coiner is also a veteran of 18 seasons of coaching at the collegiate level, including stops at LSU (1999), UT Chattanooga (1998), Louisville (1995-97), and Vanderbilt (1991-93).
Coiner began his coaching career at Appalachian State, where he served four seasons on the staff from 1983-86. A native of Waynesboro, Va., he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Catawba College and his master’s degree from Appalachian State.
CHARLIE COINER COACHING CAREER
2010 North Carolina, Defensive Assistant
2006-09 Buffalo Bills, Tight Ends, Assistant Special Teams
2001-03 Chicago Bears, Offensive Assistant (2001-03), Assistant Special Teams (2004-05)
2000 Texas Southern, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks, Special Teams
1999 LSU, Special Teams
1998 UT Chattanooga, Linebackers
1995-97 Louisville, Tight Ends
1994 Texas Southern, Offensive Line, Special Teams
1991-93 Vanderbilt, Special Teams
1988-90 Austin Peay, Offensive Line (1988-89), Defensive Line (1990)
1987 Minnesota, Defensive Line, Kicking Coach
1983-86 Appalachian State, Graduate Assistant
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)