No. 14 Beavers Set to Tackle Cougars on Pac-12 Networks Saturday
Updated Feb. 2013
Rod Perry is in his second year on the Oregon State staff and serves as the team's secondary coach. He joined the staff after 24 seasons in the National Football League.
Perry's contribution to the Beaver football program was immediate with the play of what became one of the best secondary units in the country. Cornerback Jordan Poyer earned consensus All-America honors and his bookend defensive back Rashaad Reynolds was on the Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention team. Starting safeties Ryan Murphy and Tyrequek Zimmerman return and will undoubtedly rank among the best in the league. Beaver defenders intercepted 20 passes in 2012, tied for seventh in the nation.
Perry's credentials are impressive, including playing (Rams) or coaching (Colts) in three Super Bowls. From 2007-11 he was the special assistant to the defense for Indianapolis, earning a Super Bowl championship ring in 2007 as the Colts beat the Chicago Bears. He also was on the AFC championship Colts team of 2010.
His professional coaching career began in 1989 with the Seattle Seahawks (1989-91/secondary) and also has included positions with the Los Angeles Rams (1992-94/secondary), Houston Oilers (1995-96/defensive backs), San Diego Chargers (1997-2001/cornerbacks) and Carolina Panthers (2002-06/secondary). He spent three years on the Chargers' staff under head coach Mike Riley.
In the NFL, Perry coached players that earned eight Pro Bowl honors (including two alternates); Colts safety Bob Sanders was the 2007 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year; and the 2008 Colts allowed just six touchdown passes -- the lowest 16-game total in NFL history.
Perry embarked on his coaching career in 1985 at Columbia University, before moving on to Fresno City College in 1986 and Fresno State in 1987-88.
He is a 1983 graduate of Fresno State University, but played collegiately at the University of Colorado, earning All-Big Eight Conference honors as a senior and Honorable Mention All-America in 1974. Prior to Colorado, Perry attended Fresno City College and was a Junior College All-American. The native of Fresno attended Hoover High School where his jersey number is permanently retired.
Following his college career Perry was a 1975 NFL Draft fourth round selection of the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned 1978 and '80 Pro Bowl honors as a cornerback. Perry, who concluded his NFL career playing the 1983 and '84 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, is a member of the Rams' 40th Anniversary Team and started in the 1980 Super Bowl. He also played his first two seasons with the Rams with OSU and State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame member, and current OSU broadcaster Steve Preece.
Perry and his wife Patrice have three children, Rodney, Ryan and Miranda. Rodney was a 2001 MLB Draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies (OF) as well as a member of the Penn State football and baseball teams, and Ryan was a two-year football letterman at the University of Hawai'i.Both work with the Beaver football team in various capacities.
PERRY PROFILE
Assignment:Secondary
Recruiting Area: Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno, Bakersfield, Central California
Year at OSU:2nd
Age:59
Hometown: Fresno, California
Education: Bachelor's Degree, Fresno State, 1983
Wife: Patrice
Children:Rodney, Ryan, Miranda
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Oregon State, 2012-present (Secondary); Indianapolis Colts (2007-11); Carolina Panthers (2002-06), San Diego Chargers (1997-2001); Houston Oilers (1995-96); Los Angeles Rams (1992-94); Seattle Seahawks (1989-91); Fresno State (1997-98); Fresno City College (1986); Columbia (1985); Cleveland Browns - player (1983-84), Los Angeles Rams - player (1975-82)
OSU HIGHLIGHTS
2012
Jordan Poyer (CB) -- Pac-12 First Team/Consensus All-America
