Zac Etheridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Troy, Alabama, U.S.
| Arizona Cardinals | |
|---|---|
| Title | Cornerbacks coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 6, 1988 Troy, Alabama, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school | Charles Henderson (Troy, Alabama) |
| College | Auburn (2007–2011) |
| Position | Safety, No. 4 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Zac Etheridge (born July 6, 1988) is an American professional football coach who is the cornerbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach at the University of Miami in 2025.
Etheridge played college football at Auburn as a safety and was a team captain on their 2010 National Championship team. He previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Miami, University of Houston, Auburn University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Western Carolina University, Georgia Tech and Pennsylvania State University.
College
Etheridge attended Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama.[1] He initially played basketball and baseball before ultimately deciding to focus on football.[2] Etheridge grew up watching Auburn and Alabama football and began to dream of playing for Auburn after watching the programs 2004 team and becoming enamored with the programs sense of "family and tradition".[2] Described as scrawny, Etheridge originally struggled in gaining attention from major programs but received an offer from Auburn after attending a camp ran by the team.[2] On August 14, 2005, he would commit to play college football at Auburn University.[2]
Etheridge would make an immediate impact at Auburn, starting 12 out of 13 games as a freshman in 2007 and earning Freshman All-American honors with 65 tackles.[3] Etheridge remained a strong contributor for the Tigers as a sophomore, recording 75 tackles and one interception.[4][5] In his junior season he suffered a neck injury while attempting a tackle in a game against Ole Miss.[6][7] Following the injury he lacked control over his body and was ultimately diagnosed with torn neck ligaments and a broken vertebrae.[8][6] The injury threatened to end Etheridge's playing career but he would return to the field for his senior season in 2010 after completing 9 months of physical therapy.[6][9] In 2010, he was named a team captain, started all 14 games and would have three interceptions on the season including one in the first quarter of the Tigers national championship victory over Oregon.[9][10] In 2012, Etheridge was awarded the James Owens Courage Award, which is awarded to an Auburn player who demonstrates "courage in the face of adversity".[11]