SaberCats Add Former NFL Assistant Kerry Locklin to Staff
January 23, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The SaberCats today announced the addition of former New York Jets defensive line coach Kerry Locklin to their coaching staff. Locklin joins new defensive coordinator Cedric Walker as the SaberCats look to rebuild their defensive side of the ball in 2012.
"Kerry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our defensive staff," said Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet. "We have high expectations for the defensive side of our team this year, and we are confident Kerry will help make those improvements."
Locklin most recently spent time with the Jets in the National Football League for the majority of the 2009 season. The Jets ranked first in the NFL in points allowed per game at 14.7, and posted 32 sacks.
The New Mexico State alum began his coaching career at Western New Mexico University in 1988 as a running backs coach. He spent 1989 as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Utah. From 1990-93, Locklin was the running backs coach at Morehead State, where he worked under current Jets head coach, Rex Ryan. He then moved to the professional level with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League, where he spent 1994 as an assistant head coach.
A native of Las Cruces, N.M., Locklin became the defensive line coach at Eastern Michigan in 1995, a post he held for five seasons for the Eagles. The next nine seasons (2000-08) of his career were spent with the Fresno State Bulldogs, where under his guidance 11 defensive lineman earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors and the Bulldogs appeared in eight bowl games. Two WAC Defensive Players of the Year thrived under Locklin during his tenure, in Garrett McIntyre and Alan Harper.
Locklin was a tight end at New Mexico State for four years, where he was named an All-America Honorable Mention. He was also named a two-time athletic all-conference and two-time academic all-conference honoree in his time with the Aggies.
After his collegiate career, Locklin was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL draft. He spent three seasons in the NFL, two with the Rams and one with the Denver Broncos. He concluded his professional career by playing two more years in the United States Football League with the Arizona Wranglers.
Arena Football League Stories from January 23, 2012
- Rush Re-Sign Veteran QB Russ Michna - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats Add Former NFL Assistant Kerry Locklin to Staff - San Jose SaberCats
- Philadelphia Soul to Hold Open Tryout on January 28 - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia Force Add Defensive Leader Tracy Belton to Roster - Georgia Force
- Predators Add Former New England Patriots Wide Receiver - Orlando Predators
- Playoff Hero Harvey to Return to Sharks - Jacksonville Sharks
- Mustangs Sign Defensive Anchor - Milwaukee Mustangs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
