Mississippi Valley State University Athletics

Terrell Buckley was named Head Football Coach at Mississippi Valley State University on January 21, 2025, bringing a championship pedigree, deep Mississippi roots and decades of experience as a player, coach and mentor.
 
A former NFL cornerback, Super Bowl champion and College Football Hall of Famer, Buckley has built a distinguished career defined by discipline, competitiveness, player development and a lifelong commitment to the game of football.
 
A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buckley’s football journey began at Pascagoula High School, where he helped lead his team to a state championship and an undefeated season in 1987. His success at the prep level laid the foundation for one of the most decorated careers in Florida State University history.
 
Buckley played college football at Florida State from 1989 to 1991, establishing himself as one of the premier defensive backs in the nation. During his time with the Seminoles, he recorded 21 career interceptions, which remains the program record, and totaled 501 career interception return yards, an NCAA record. In 1991, he delivered one of the top seasons by a defensive back in college football history, earning All-American honors, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and finishing among the top vote-getters for the Heisman Trophy. His No. 27 jersey was retired by Florida State in 2011, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
 
Following his standout collegiate career, Buckley was selected fifth overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 1992 NFL Draft. He went on to play 14 seasons in the National Football League, spending time with several organizations, including the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Jets and New York Giants. Buckley was a member of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI championship team during the 2001 season and finished his NFL career with more than 50 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns.
 
After retiring from professional football in 2005, Buckley returned to Florida State to complete his degree and began the next chapter of his football career in coaching. He started on the Seminoles’ staff, serving in various roles from 2007 to 2011, before continuing to build an impressive coaching résumé at the collegiate level.
 
Buckley later coached defensive backs at Akron, Louisville, Mississippi State and Ole Miss, where he developed some of the nation’s top talent and shared the knowledge gained from his years competing at the highest levels of the sport. Throughout his coaching career, he has helped mentor more than 30 players who went on to sign professional contracts, including standouts such as Xavier Rhodes, Patrick Robinson and Jaire Alexander.
 
In 2014, Buckley coached Jim Thorpe Award winner Gerod Holliman, who finished the season with 14 interceptions. In 2018, while at Mississippi State, Buckley was part of a staff that helped lead one of the nation’s top defensive units and was recognized by FootballScoop as Defensive Backs Coach of the Year. In 2021, he was part of the Ole Miss staff that helped the Rebels achieve the first 10-win regular season in program history. In 2023, Buckley served as head coach of the Orlando Guardians in the XFL, further expanding his leadership experience.
 
As head coach at Mississippi Valley State, Buckley brings a clear vision rooted in accountability, toughness, preparation and pride. His background as a Mississippi native, elite collegiate player, longtime NFL veteran and experienced coach gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to develop student-athletes on and off the field.
 
Buckley is committed to building a program that represents Mississippi Valley State University with discipline, passion and a strong sense of purpose.
 
Beyond football, Buckley’s most cherished work is centered on his faith, family and service to the community. He is a proud husband, father of five and grandfather. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and perfecting his golf game.