Terrell Buckley is a former NFL cornerback and current head football coach at Mississippi Valley State University. Born and raised in Mississippi, Buckley has had a distinguished career both on and off the field.
Buckley attended Pascagoula High School, where he led the team to a state championship and an undefeated season in 1987. He then played college football at Florida State University from 1989 to 1991. During his time with the Seminoles, Buckley set multiple records, including 21 career interceptions and 501 interception return yards which is still an NCAA record. In 1991, he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and was a unanimous All-American. His No. 27 jersey was retired by Florida State in 2011 and he was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 2019.Â
Buckley was selected by the Green Bay Packers as the fifth overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played 14 seasons in the NFL, with notable tenures at the Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots where he was part of the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI-winning team in 2001. Buckley also recorded 50 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns during his NFL career.Â
After retiring from professional football in 2005, Buckley returned to Florida State to complete his degree. He began his coaching career at FSU, serving in various roles from 2007 to 2011. He later coached cornerbacks at Akron (2012–2013), Louisville (2014–2015), Mississippi State (2016–2019), and Ole Miss (2020–2021). In 2023, he became the head coach of the Orlando Guardians in the XFL before taking his most recent position as the Head Football Coach at MVSU.Â
Buckley’s most cherished work resides off the field where he is deeply committed to his faith, family and the community. He is a proud husband, father of 5, and grandfather. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and perfecting his golf game.
