A former wide receiver at Texas, Tony Jeffery begins his fourth season as an assistant coach at UTSA after returning to the program from Houston on Feb. 3, 2015. He tutors the Roadrunners’ receivers.
During his one year with the Cougars as outside receivers coach in 2014, Jeffery helped guide Houston to an 8-5 record, including a 35-34 victory against Pittsburgh in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. His position group combined for 1,299 yards and seven touchdowns on 100 receptions.
In his last season with UTSA in 2013, Jeffery helped UTSA to a 7-5 overall record, including victories over a pair of bowl teams. The Roadrunners finished second in the West Division with a 6-2 mark in their first season in Conference USA. The offense averaged 25.6 points and 417.8 yards per game, while his receivers combined for 2,004 yards and six scores on 177 catches to go along with 445 yards and six TDs on the ground. Kam Jones collected honorable mention all-league honors.
UTSA posted an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program’s first road and Football Bowl Subdivision victory, and New Mexico State, its first league win. The offense averaged 31.2 points and 390.2 yards (159.2 rush/231.0 pass) per game and scored 44 touchdowns. He tutored the receivers to 1,742 yards and 13 TDs receiving and the group also racked up 225 yards on the ground. Jones collected honorable mention All-WAC accolades after the season.
Jeffery helped the Roadrunners to a 4-6 record in 2011. The offense averaged 26.6 points and 364.5 yards (144.8 rush/219.7 pass) per game and scored 31 touchdowns during their inaugural campaign. UTSA’s receivers accounted for 1,541 yards and 11 TDs, including a team-high 578 yards from Kam Jones and 419 by Brandon Freeman. The unit also posted four 100-yard games, including three by Jones.
Jeffery also oversaw the Roadrunners’ special teams during the first season. Sean Ianno made 11 field goals, including a long of 48, and all 31 of his PATs. Kenny Harrison averaged 26.8 yards per kickoff return with a long of 41, while the unit averaged 23.4 yards per return. The special teams also blocked six kicks, three on field goal attempts.
In 2006, Texas won the Alamo Bowl against Iowa and finished No. 13 in both The Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. A year later, the Longhorns captured the Holiday Bowl against Arizona State and ended the season at No. 10 in both polls. The Longhorns won the Fiesta Bowl over Ohio State to finish the 2008 campaign with a 12-1 record, fourth in The AP Poll and third in the Coaches Poll. In 2009, UT finished as the Bowl Championship Series runner-up after a loss to Alabama.
Jeffery was a four-year letterwinner at wide receiver for the Longhorns from 2001-04, where he caught 57 passes for 714 yards (12.5 ypc) and six touchdowns and carried 25 times for 127 yards and a score in his career. The Klein Forest High School product also was a special teams standout, as he blocked four punts, returning two for TDs, and served as the holder.
Jeffery started all 12 games as a senior in 2004, hauling in 33 passes for 437 yards — both team highs — and three TDs and rushing seven times for 47 yards and a score to help UT to a 11-1 record capped by a 38-37 Rose Bowl victory against Michigan. He had eight receptions for 91 yards and a TD as a junior and earned the Whatever It Takes (W.I.T.) Award after helping the Longhorns to a 10-3 season.
As a sophomore, Jeffery caught 11 passes for 112 yards and a score, as Texas posted an 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win against LSU. In 2001 as a redshirt freshman, he shared UT’s Most Improved Offensive Player Award after tallying 74 receiving yards and a TD on five catches to help the Longhorns to an 11-2 ledger and a victory over Washington in the Holiday Bowl.
Jeffery and his wife, Connie, have a son, Justus.
The Tony Jeffery File
Coaching Career
· 2015-present: UTSA, assistant coach
· 2014: Houston, assistant coach
· 2012-13: UTSA, assistant coach
· 2010-11: UTSA, assistant coach/special teams coordinator
· 2006-09: Texas, quality control coach
Professional Players Coached
· Quan Cosby — Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars (free agent)
· Hunter Lawrence — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (free agent)
· Aaron Ross — New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens (first round)
· Jordan Shipley — Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars (third round)
· Limas Sweed — Pittsburgh Steelers (second round)
Playing Experience
· 2000-04: Texas, wide receiver
Education
· Bachelor's degree in education/youth & community studies, Texas 2007
Personal
· Wife: Connie
· Son: Justus