2011 Colts Media Guide - Nfl

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ROD PERRY
Special Assistant to the Defense
Rod Perry enters his fifth season as special assistant to the defense of the Colts.
Perry joined Indianapolis from Carolina, where he served for five seasons as secondary
coach.
In 2010, only Antoine Bethea opened every game, and the club fought injuries
by using nine different starting lineups in the secondary, none for more than four
consecutive games. Kelvin Hayden (11 games), Jerraud Powers (10), Melvin
Bullitt (4) and Bob Sanders (1) had limited appearances, while Aaron Francisco
started 12 games after joining the club in week five. Bethea led the club with 106
tackles, while Jacob Lacey (61), Hayden (61, two interceptions for scores) and Powers (53, two interceptions)
were productive. Francisco had 56 stops and two interceptions. Eleven different players in
the secondary had defensive tackles.
In 2009, Bethea opened every game, while Bullitt (12), Powers (12) and Lacey (9) started most of the
outings. Hayden had eight starts, while Marlin Jackson (four games) and Bob Sanders (two starts) exited
early with injuries. Bethea earned a second Pro Bowl bid and led the team with 120 tackles and
four interceptions. Bullitt (82), Lacey (78) and Powers (71) ranked among the leading tacklers, and
seven DBs had interceptions. Hayden, Bethea and Powers each had post-season interceptions. In 2008,
the club ranked 11th in defense, 6th against the pass, setting an NFL mark by allowing only six touchdown
passes, the lowest 16-game total in NFL history. The defense ranked 3rd in NFL red zone efficiency
in touchdowns allowed, while the club joined Philadelphia as the only teams to rank in the top
six in passing offense and defense. Bethea was the only 16-game starter, while Jackson (7), Sanders
(6) and Hayden (10) were limited by injuries. Tim Jennings (12 starts) and Bullitt (9) made significant
contributions. Bethea (126) and Bullitt (4) led the team in tackles and interceptions. The defensive backs
had all of the club's 15 interceptions. In 2007, Indianapolis ranked 3rd in NFL total defense, the club's
highest ranking since 1971. It was the club's fourth top 10 defensive ranking since 1984, and was one
of the club's 11 top five NFL finishes since 1953. The Colts yielded 279.7 yards per game, the lowest
seasonal total since 1971. Indianapolis ranked 1st in NFL scoring defense, its best showing since 2005
(2nd), and 262 points allowed marked the 2nd-fewest by the club in a 16-game season. The Colts had
22 interceptions, T2nd in the NFL, producing the best seasonal total since 1979 (23). Sanders and
Bethea were Pro Bowlers, and Sanders was named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player-of-the-Year,
the first Colts player ever to earn the honor. In 2006, Perry assisted a Panthers defense that had 14
interceptions. Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall all had three interceptions. Carolina
(187.5) ranked 2nd in the NFC in pass defense, 4th in the NFL. During his tenure, Carolina had 96
interceptions to rank among the NFL leaders. Carolina ranked in the NFL's top 10 in pass defense four
times from 2002-06 (9th, 2003, 2005; 4th, 2002). In 2005, the Panthers had 23 interceptions, led by
Gamble (7) and Lucas (6). In 2004, Carolina had a youthful secondary, with three of four contributors
combining for less than a year of NFL starting experience. Gamble (six interceptions) earned All-Rookie
honors. Carolina's 26 interceptions set a franchise seasonal-record and topped the NFL in interceptions
per pass attempt. In Perry's first two years, Carolina was the only NFL team to start two undrafted cornerbacks,
yet the club ranked in the top 10 in pass defense both seasons. The Panthers had a club seasonal-record
three scoring interception returns in 2003. Perry coached 1997-01 with San Diego. He
helped Rodney Harrison (1998, 2001) and Ryan McNeil (2001) to Pro Bowl appearances. The 1998
Chargers led the league in total defense and held opponents to the 2nd-lowest completion percentage.
Perry served with Houston from 1995-96. Under his guidance, Darryll Lewis and Blaine Bishop earned
initial Pro Bowl honors in 1995. Perry served as secondary coach with Seattle from 1989-91 and with
the Los Angeles Rams from 1992-94.
Perry began his coaching career at Columbia University in 1985 and Fresno City College in 1986. He
spent 1987-88 at Fresno State before starting his professional coaching career.
Perry was an All-Big Eight selection at defensive back as a senior at Colorado. He was a D4-75 choice
of the Los Angeles Rams, where he played from 1975-82. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1978 and
1980, totaling 28 interceptions with the club. He is a member of the Rams' 40th Anniversary Team.
Perry concluded his playing career with Cleveland from 1983-84, recording two additional interceptions.
Perry was born on September 11, 1953 in Fresno, Calif. Perry and his wife, Patrice, have three children,
Rodney, Ryan and Miranda. Rodney was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Ryan played
football at the University of Hawaii.
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