University of Houston Athletics
Etheridge Joining Bill Walsh Fellowship This Summer
5/6/2024 9:34:00 AM | Football
Fellowship designed to help coaches by gaining NFL offseason experience
HOUSTON – University of Houston Defensive Backs Coach Zac Etheridge has been invited to participate in the 2024 Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Houston Texans this summer.
The fellowship is celebrating 30+ years of helping outstanding coaches gain exposure to NFL training camps and offseason workout programs. Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL clubs participate each year.
"I'm extremely honored to have been selected for the Bill Walsh Fellowship this summer with the Houston Texans," Etheridge said. "I'm very excited for the opportunity to grow in my craft and learn from some of the best in the business."
Etheridge joined University of Houston Football as its Defensive Backs Coach in January. The hire marked Etheridge's second stint with the Cougars after serving as Cornerbacks Coach during the 2019-20 seasons.
Etheridge, a team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, spent three seasons (2021-23) with the Tigers as Secondary Coach. In February 2022, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
During his three seasons at Auburn, Etheridge tutored a pair of All-SEC defensive backs including 2023 Second-Team honoree Jaylin Simpson, who ranked 19th in the country in interceptions (4), and 2021 First-Team honoree Roger McCreary, who paced the SEC in passes defended per game (1.3).
During his first stint at Houston, Etheridge mentored cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams. Jones was named an All-American in 2020 at cornerback by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was an All-American selection as a punt return specialist by the FWAA, CBS/247 Sports and Phil Steele Magazine. Jones also was graded as one of the Top 5 corners in 2020 by PFF. Under two seasons of Etheridge's tutelage, Williams blossomed into an all-conference player in 2020, starting 19 consecutive games for the Cougars.
In December 2020, he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession and is part of the AFCA Convention.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
The fellowship is celebrating 30+ years of helping outstanding coaches gain exposure to NFL training camps and offseason workout programs. Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL clubs participate each year.
"I'm extremely honored to have been selected for the Bill Walsh Fellowship this summer with the Houston Texans," Etheridge said. "I'm very excited for the opportunity to grow in my craft and learn from some of the best in the business."
Etheridge joined University of Houston Football as its Defensive Backs Coach in January. The hire marked Etheridge's second stint with the Cougars after serving as Cornerbacks Coach during the 2019-20 seasons.
Etheridge, a team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, spent three seasons (2021-23) with the Tigers as Secondary Coach. In February 2022, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
During his three seasons at Auburn, Etheridge tutored a pair of All-SEC defensive backs including 2023 Second-Team honoree Jaylin Simpson, who ranked 19th in the country in interceptions (4), and 2021 First-Team honoree Roger McCreary, who paced the SEC in passes defended per game (1.3).
During his first stint at Houston, Etheridge mentored cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams. Jones was named an All-American in 2020 at cornerback by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was an All-American selection as a punt return specialist by the FWAA, CBS/247 Sports and Phil Steele Magazine. Jones also was graded as one of the Top 5 corners in 2020 by PFF. Under two seasons of Etheridge's tutelage, Williams blossomed into an all-conference player in 2020, starting 19 consecutive games for the Cougars.
In December 2020, he was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession and is part of the AFCA Convention.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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