Competitiveness keeps Cards’ new WRs coach Shawn Jefferson in the game,
Shawn Jefferson was never set on going into coaching. But after wrapping a career playing wide receiver in the NFL, he got a call from a former coach. Jefferson decided just to see what it could be like.
"I got to training camp, I guess my competitive spirit just took over, and I ended up liking it," Jefferson said on Tuesday.
Sixteen years later, he'll start his next chapter as wide receivers coach for the Arizona Cardinals. The team announced his hiring on Jan. 25, and his introductory press conference came Tuesday. Jefferson spent the last two seasons coaching the Jets. His playing career spanned 13 seasons with four teams, and his first coaching gig came in 2005 with the Lions.
What Jefferson loves about coaching is the chance to mold players outside of the game. He likes the fact that he'll work with so many young receivers in Arizona. He, of course, is also excited to work with DeAndre Hopkins. And he's still waiting to hear if he'll be working with Larry Fitzgerald.
The veteran wide receiver texted Jefferson a welcome when he joined the team, saying he was looking forward to talking to him. Still, Jefferson said he has no insight as to whether Fitzgerald will return for an 18th season.
In the meantime, he's doing all he can to prepare for the season, knowing that COVID-19 will still impact offseason activities. He likes what head coach Kliff Kingsbury is doing in Arizona.
"I just think this team is ready to take
the next step, and I just want to be part of it," he said.
Jefferson works hard to to keep his coaching interesting and to find creative ways to connect with players.
"I've actually come out in full pads and suited up with guys," he said.
He is always trying to grow as a coach. Some of that is dictated by the players he's working with.
During the years he spent coaching in Detroit, he overlapped with wide receiver Calvin Johnson, including in 2012, when Johnson set the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards in
2012. Johnson, who recently was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, forced Jefferson to stretch himself as a coach.
"It was a challenge, with a guy with that kind of skill set. Everyday come up with practice, you've got to find a way to challenge him," Jefferson said. "It was just a joy to watch this kid work, watch him on and off the field, his dedication to his craft. So it was it was a blessing for me to to to coach him."
Jefferson thinks that will carry over to working with Hopkins, and that he's prepared.
"I think the good Lord carries us sometimes to some places to prepare us for the job at hand. And I think me coaching Calvin when I first got to the league for all those numbers of years kind of helps me bridge the gap with DeAndre Hopkins," Jefferson said. "He's a generational talent, and I'm looking forward to working with him."
So many of aspects of the job just feel right to Jefferson. The icing on the cake is joining the NFC West. His son, Van Jefferson, was a second-round draft pick in 2020 for the Rams.
The elder Jefferson is proud of his son, but he's certainly not going to be rooting for him during two select weeks.
"I'm looking forward to kicking his butt twice, that's what I'm looking forward to more than anything. But it'd be good just to see him play," Jefferson said.
"I'm a competitor, and he is too, and, but I'd love nothing more than having those bragging rights every season, kicking his butt twice a year."
Extra point
On Tuesday, the Cardinals announced the following promotions in the team’s player personnel and football operations departments:
Quentin Harris promoted to Vice
● President of Player Personnel
Adrian Wilson promoted to Vice
● President of Pro Personnel
Matt Caracciolo promoted to Vice
● President Football Operations & Facilities
Dru Grigson promoted to Director
● of Player Personnel
Andrew Caskin promoted to Pro
●
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