Vanchi LaShawn "Shawn" Jefferson Sr. (born February 22, 1969) is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the associate head coach and wide receivers coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2021 to 2022 and also previously served as an assistant coach for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions.

Shawn Jefferson
New York Jets
Position:Wide receivers coach
Personal information
Born: (1969-02-22) February 22, 1969 (age 55)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:William M. Raines
(Jacksonville, Florida)
College:UCF
NFL draft:1991 / round: 9 / pick: 240
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:470
Receiving yards:7,023
Receiving touchdowns:29
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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Jefferson played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
5 ft 11+14 in
(1.81 m)
169 lb
(77 kg)
30 in
(0.76 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.53 s 1.61 s 2.66 s 4.19 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)
All values from NFL Combine[1]

Jefferson was selected by the Houston Oilers in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL draft.[2] In his career, Jefferson appeared in 195 games (along with 12 postseason games), and two Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl XXIX and Super Bowl XXXI). He finished his career with 470 receptions for 7,023 yards and 29 touchdowns.[3]

Coaching career

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Detroit Lions

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In 2006, Jefferson was hired by the Detroit Lions as an offensive assistant. In 2007, he was promoted to wide receivers coach.

Tennessee Titans

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In 2013, Jefferson was hired by the Tennessee Titans as their wide receivers coach.

Miami Dolphins

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On January 12, 2016, Jefferson was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their wide receivers coach under head coach Adam Gase.[4]

New York Jets

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In 2019, Jefferson followed Gase to be his assistant head coach and wide receivers coach with the New York Jets.[5]

Arizona Cardinals

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On January 19, 2021, Jefferson was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their wide receivers coach under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, replacing David Raih. On May 10, 2022, Jefferson was promoted to associate head coach.[6]

Carolina Panthers

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On February 19, 2023, the Carolina Panthers hired Jefferson as their wide receivers coach.[7]

Personal life

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Jefferson's son is Van Jefferson, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Ole Miss and Florida.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Shawn Jefferson, Combine Results, WR - Central Florida". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Where are they now?: Former NFL receiver Shawn Jefferson". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "Shawn Jefferson brings 'psychotic' coaching style to Dolphins wide receivers". Palm Beach Post. August 4, 2016. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Jets Hire Shawn Jefferson As Wide Receiver Coach". WFAN.com. January 24, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "Arizona Cardinals promote WRs coach Shawn Jefferson, 4 others". arizonasports.com. May 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Panthers round out offensive staff by hiring UNC tight ends coach John Lilly". amp.charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Sammon, Will (August 10, 2018). "'He had to overcome being my son': How Van Jefferson forged his own path outside the shadow of his NFL father". The Athletic. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
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