Todd Bowles is entering his second season in his current post, having been named to the position on January 23, 2008. Prior to joining the Dolphins he had spent the previous three years as the secondary coach with the Dallas Cowboys.
In Bowles’ first season with the Dolphins, the team’s defensive backs accounted for 14 interceptions, the most by that position since 2003 when the Dolphins’ secondary that year recorded 18 picks. Their total last year included a team-high five by cornerback André Goodman, the most of his seven-year career. In addition, the three interceptions by Will Allen were his most since his rookie season of 2001.
In Bowles’ three years in Dallas, three Cowboys defensive backs were chosen to a combined five Pro Bowls, including three by safety Roy Williams. In 2007, three-fourths of Dallas’ backfield was selected to the NFC All-Star squad, as cornerback Terence Newman and safety Ken Hamlin joined Williams in Honolulu. Over those three seasons (2005-07), the Cowboys as a team came up with 52 interceptions, tied for the third-highest total in the NFC during that span. Before going to the Cowboys, Bowles had a four-year stint (2001-04) on the staff of the Cleveland Browns, including the first three years as the defensive nickel package coach and the final season as secondary coach. In that 2004 season, the Browns ranked fifth in the league in pass defense, as they allowed an average of just 181.3 passing yards per game. In Bowles’ first year with Cleveland, the Browns led the league and set a franchise record with 33 interceptions, 28 of which were accounted for by defensive backs, including 10 by rookie Anthony Henry. Bowles’ first NFL coaching position came as defensive backs coach with the New York Jets in 2000, when he helped the unit to a No. 6 NFL ranking in pass defense, permitting an average of only 183.3 yards passing per outing.
Bowles, a native of Elizabeth, N.J., was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at Temple University (1982-85). He went on to play eight seasons in the NFL, including stints with Washington (1986-90, 1992-93) and San Francisco (1991). In his career, he appeared in 117 regular season games and accounted for 15 interceptions. He was a member of the Redskins team that captured the Super Bowl XXII championship following the 1987 season. Upon conclusion of his playing career, Bowles worked in the player personnel department of the Green Bay Packers from 1995-96. He was defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Morehouse College in 1997 and defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Grambling State from 1998-99. He and his wife, Taneka, reside in Parkland, Fla. Bowles has a daughter, Sydni, and two sons, Todd Jr. and Troy.
