View source for Terrell Buckley

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1971)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name         = Terrell Buckley
| current_team = Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
| number       = <!--27, 22-->
| position     = [[Head coach]] <!--[[Cornerback]]-->
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1971|6|7}}
| birth_place  = [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]], U.S. 
| height_ft    = 5
| height_in    = 10
| weight_lb    = 180
| high_school  = [[Pascagoula High School|Pascagoula]] {{nowrap|([[Pascagoula, Mississippi]])}}
| college      = [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] (1989–1991)
| draftyear    = 1992
| draftround   = 1
| draftpick    = 5
| pastteams    =
* [[Green Bay Packers]] ({{NFL Year|1992|1994}})
* [[Miami Dolphins]] ({{NFL Year|1995|1999}})
* [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|2000}})
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|2001}})
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] (2002)*
* New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2002}})
* Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2003}})
* New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2004}})*
* [[New York Jets]] (2004)
* [[New York Giants]] ({{NFL Year|2005}})
| pastcoaching =
* [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] (2007) <br> Assistant safeties coach
* Florida State (2008) <br> Assistant wide receivers coach
* Florida State (2009) <br> Graduate assistant
* Florida State (2010–2011) <br> Weight room coach
* [[Akron Zips football|Akron]] (2012–2013) <br> Cornerbacks coach
* [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] (2014–2015) <br> Cornerbacks coach
* [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] (2016–2019) <br> Cornerbacks coach
* [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]] (2020–2021) <br> Cornerbacks coach
* [[Orlando Guardians]] ({{XFL Year|2023}}) <br> Head coach
* [[Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football|Mississippi Valley State]] (2025–present) <br> Head coach 
| highlights   = ; As a player
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXVI|XXXVI]])
* [[Jim Thorpe Award]] (1991)
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#The Jack Tatum Trophy|Jack Tatum Trophy]] (1991)
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1991 College Football All-America Team|1991]])
* Second-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1990 College Football All-America Team|1990]]) 
* [[Florida State Seminoles football#Honored jersey numbers|Florida State Seminoles Jersey No. 27]] honored
| statlabel1   = Total [[Tackle (football move)#Gridiron football|tackle]]s
| statvalue1   = 546
| statlabel2   = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue2   = 50
| statlabel3   = Interception yards
| statvalue3   = 793
| statlabel4   = [[Pass deflected|Pass deflection]]s
| statvalue4   = 64
| statlabel5   = Forced [[fumble]]s
| statvalue5   = 10
| statlabel6   = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue6   = 15
| statlabel7   = [[Quarterback sack|Sack]]s
| statvalue7   = 2.0
| statlabel8   = Total [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue8   = 8
| coachrecord  = {{Winning percentage|1|9|record=y}}
| pfr          = BuckTe20
| CollegeHOF   = 2433 
}}

'''Douglas Terrell Buckley''' (born June 7, 1971) is an American college [[American football|football]] coach and former [[cornerback]] who is the [[head coach]] at [[Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football|Mississippi Valley State University]]. He previously served as the head coach of the [[Orlando Guardians]] in [[2023 Orlando Guardians season|2023]]. Buckley played [[college football]] at [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] from [[1989 Florida State Seminoles football team|1989]] to [[1991 Florida State Seminoles football team|1991]] and in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 14 seasons from 1992 to 2005, with his longest tenure (1995–1999) as a player with the [[Miami Dolphins]].

Buckley was born in [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]]. After graduation from high school in 1989, Buckley enrolled at [[Florida State University]] and played cornerback for the Seminoles, starting for three seasons. As a junior in [[1991 Florida State Seminoles football team|1991]], he led Florida State to the [[1992 Cotton Bowl Classic]] and was a [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|unanimous All-American]].

He also played professional [[baseball]] for the Mobile Baysharks in the [[Central Baseball League|Texas–Louisiana League]].

==College career==
Buckley was a two-year starter and three-year [[Letterman (sports)|letterman]] at [[Florida State]] (1989–91), and left as the school's all-time leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (501).<ref name="patriots">{{cite web |url=http://www.patriots.com/alumni/index.cfm?ac=alumnibiosdetail&bio=6603 |title=Official New England Patriots Biography |publisher=patriots.com |access-date=September 13, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  His career interception yardage total of 501 is an [[NCAA]] record. Buckley also tied school records for touchdowns off interception returns (four) and punt returns (three). He was named first-team [[All-American]] and won [[Jim Thorpe Award]], given annually to nation's top [[cornerback]], as a junior. Buckley led the nation with 12 interceptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns. He was named second-team All-American by [[Associated Press]], ''[[The Sporting News]]'' and ''The Football News'' as a junior. Buckley had six interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns. He finished seventh in the Heisman voting in 1991. Buckley played two years of varsity [[baseball]] and was a [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] on the outdoor [[Track and field|track]] team for one year.  He was drafted by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the first round of the [[1992 NFL draft]] with the fifth overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/draft.htm |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 5
|    height in = 9 1/8
|       weight = 174
|     arm span = 29 3/4
|    hand span = 8
|         note = All values from the NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Terrell&l=Buckley&i=24469 |title=Terrell Buckley, Combine Results, CB - Florida State |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===Green Bay Packers===
The [[Green Bay Packers]] selected Buckley in the first round (5th overall) of the [[1992 NFL Draft]]. He surpassed 1972 first-round pick (7th overall) [[Willie Buchanon]] as the highest drafted cornerback by the [[List of Green Bay Packers first-round draft picks|Packers in franchise history]] and still holds the record.

====1992====
On September 11, 1992, the Green Bay Packers signed Buckley to a four—year, $7.10 million rookie contract that included a [[signing bonus]] of $3.20 million.<ref>{{cite web| title=Buckley ends 50-day holdout| url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/09/12/buckley-ends-his-50-day-holdout/ |access-date=June 24, 2025| website=TampaBay.com| date=September 12, 1992}}</ref> This ended a 50-day holdout by Buckley as he was the last first-round pick to sign.

Due to the holdout, he was exempt for the first two games. Head coach [[Mike Holmgren]] named him a backup and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart upon joining the team, behind starters [[Lewis Billups]] and [[Vinnie Clark]]. On September 20, 1992, Buckley made his professional regular season debut and led a fourth quarter comeback victory after he returned a punt by [[Paul McJulien]] for a 58–yard touchdown to decrease the 14-point lead by the Bengals, bringing the score to 17–10 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Green Bay Packers would have a 21-point fourth quarter comeback to defeat the [[1992 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] 23–24, capped off by a 35–yard touchdown pass by [[Brett Favre]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers — September 20th, 1992| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199209200gnb.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> His 58–yard punt return for a touchdown set the record for the youngest player to return a punt for a touchdown in NFL history ({{Age in years and days|1971|6|7|1992|9|20}}). Buckley still holds the record currently and this would be the only punt returned for a touchdown during his entire career.

Entering Week 5, Buckley supplanted Lewis Billups and took over as a starting cornerback. On October 5, 1992, Packers' head coach Mike Holmgren announced the immediate release of Lewis Billups after he was involved in multiple incidents in the hours after he was benched for Buckley.<ref>{{cite web| title=PRO FOOTBALL: DAILY REPORT: AROUND THE NFL|
url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-06-sp-557-story.html |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=[[Los Angeles Times]]| date=October 6, 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Around the NFL|
url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/10/06/around-the-nfl/4e50d20d-d224-4401-8be3-607e6c5d66c9/ |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=WashingtonPost.com| date=October 5, 1992}}</ref> After losing his starting role, Lewis Billups publicly complained about his benching in favor of Terrell Buckley and had a public outburst on the team's return flight to Green Bay that made a flight attendant cry. At 2AM, it was reported that Lewis Billups had lost control of his [[Jeep Cherokee]] and crashed into power lines causing power outages on the Westside of Green Bay.<ref>{{cite web| title=Packers' John Kuhns supposed to be smarter|
url=https://www.twincities.com/2013/10/19/green-bay-packers-john-kuhns-supposed-to-be-smarter/ |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=twincities.com| date=November 7, 2015}}</ref> On December 6, 1992, Buckley had his first career interception off a pass by [[Andre Ware]] as the Packers routed the [[1992 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] 10–38.<ref>{{cite web| title=Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers — December 6th, 1992| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199212060gnb.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> On December 20, 1992, Buckley set a season-high with two interceptions and returned one interception thrown by [[Jim Everett]] 33–yards to score the first touchdown of his career during a 13–28 victory against the [[1992 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers — December 20th, 1992| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199212200gnb.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> He finished his rookie season with 32 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one touchdown in 14 games and 12 starts. He was also given punt return duties, finishing with 21 punt returns for 211 return yards and one touchdown.<ref name="career">{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Terrell Buckley Career Overview| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BuckTe20.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>

====1993====
He returned as the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin 1993, under defensive coordinator [[Ray Rhodes]]. He was paired with [[Roland Mitchell]] after he started eight games alongside Buckley the previous season. On December 12, 1993, Buckley had his best overall performance of the season by setting season-highs with nine solo tackles and three pass deflections and also sealed a 13–20 victory against the [[1993 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] by intercepting a pass by [[Stan Humphries]] to wide receiver [[Nate Lewis]] just prior to the two-minute warning at the end of the fourth quarter.<ref>{{cite web| title=PACKERS SHUT DOWN CHARGERS TO STAY TIED FOR NFC CENTRAL LEAD| url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/12/13/19081453/packers-shut-down-chargers-to-stay-tied-for-nfc-central-lead/ |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=deseret.com| agency=Associated Press| date=December 13, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=San Diego Chargers at Green Bay Packers — December 12th, 1993| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312120sdg.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> He started all 16 games for the first time in his career and recorded 48 combined tackles (47 solo), made 18 pass deflections, and had two interceptions.<ref>{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1993)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BuckTe20.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>

The [[1993 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] finished the [[1993 NFL season]] in third in the [[NFC Central]] with a 9–7 record. On January 8, 1994, Buckley started in his first career playoff game and made four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by [[Erik Kramer]] in the endzone during the first quarter of a 28–24 victory at the [[1993 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in the NFC Wild-Card Game.<ref>{{cite web| title=PASS... FAIL: Green Bay was better armed over Detroit| url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/01/17/passfail |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=vault.si.com| date=January 17, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions — January 8th, 1994| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401080det.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> On January 16, 1994, Buckley made two combined tackles (one solo), one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by [[Troy Aikman]] in the beginning of the third quarter during a 17–27 loss at the [[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] in the Divisional Round.<ref>{{cite web| title=Divisional Round — Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys — January 16th, 1994| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401160dal.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>  The Dallas Cowboys would go on to defeat the [[1993 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] 13–30 to win [[Super Bowl XXVIII]].

====1994====
The [[1994 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] would hire [[Fritz Shurmur]] as their new defensive coordinator after Ray Rhodes accepted the head coach position with the [[1994 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]. He retained his role as the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season along with [[Roland Mitchell]]. On September 4, 1994, Buckley started in the Packers' season-opener at the [[1994 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] during a 16–10 victory. During the game, Roland Mitchell suffered a herniated disc in his neck and remained inactive for the remainder of the season and would retire at the start on 1995.<ref>{{cite web| title=Neck injuries have been career-killers for Pack| url=https://archive.jsonline.com/Services/include.ashx?domain=www.jsonline.com&file=neck-injuries-have-been-career-killers-for-pack-b99125203z1-228716881.html |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=archive.jsonline.com| date=October 21, 2013| last=Silverstein| first=Tom}}</ref> Head coach Mike Holmgren promoted [[Doug Evans (American football)|Doug Evans]] to the No. 2 starting cornerback.

On September 18, 1994, Buckley made one solo tackle, set a season-high with four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by [[Randall Cunningham]] to wide receiver [[Victor Bailey (American football)|Victor Bailey]] during a 7–13 loss at the [[1994 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles — September 18th, 1994| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409180phi.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> In Week 5, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo) and made one pass deflection during a 16–17 loss at the [[1994 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]].<ref name="ESPN4">{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1994)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On November 13, 1994, Buckley made six combined tackles (four solo), a pass deflection, and helped secure a 10–17 win against the [[1994 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] by intercepting a pass by [[Boomer Esiason]] to wide receiver [[Ryan Yarborough]] in the fourth quarter.<ref>{{cite web| title=Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills — November 13th, 1994| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411130gnb.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> The following week, he tied his season-high of six solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by [[Jim Kelly]] during a 20–29 loss at the [[1994 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] in Week 12. In Week 13, Buckley made four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and had his third consecutive game with an interception on a pass by [[Jason Garrett]] to wide receiver [[Michael Irvin]] during a 31–42 loss at the [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys — November 24th, 1994| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411240dal.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> He started all 16 games throughout the [[1994 NFL season]] and recorded 56 combined tackles (45 solo), made 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, and had one fumble recovery.<ref name="ESPN4"/><ref name="career"/>

===Miami Dolphins===
====1995====
On April 3, 1995, the [[1995 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] traded Buckley to the [[Miami Dolphins]] for "past considerations". Immediately after the trade was made official, the [[1995 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] signed Buckley to a two-year contract extension, restructuring his remaining year on his rookie contract to a three-year contract that will keep him throughout the [[1997 NFL season]].<ref>{{cite web| title=April 8, 1995: Terrell Buckley still a mystery to Ron Wolf| url=https://archive.jsonline.com/Services/include.ashx?domain=www.jsonline.com&file=202039891.html |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=archive.jsonline.com| date=April 8, 1995| last=McGinn| first=Bob}}</ref>

He entered training camp slated as the primary nickelback. Head coach [[Don Shula]] named Buckley a backup and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind returning starting duo [[Troy Vincent]] and [[J. B. Brown (cornerback)|J. B. Brown]]. He started alongside Troy Vincent for the last four games of the season (Weeks 14–17) in place of J. B. Brown, who was inactive due to a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web| title=1995 Week 16 Injury Report| url=https://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/index.nsf/Documents/1995-ir-16 |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=jt-sw.com| date=December 6, 1995}}</ref> On December 24, 1995, Buckley set a season-high with seven solo tackles, two pass deflections, and had his lone interception of the season on a pass attempt by [[Mark Rypien]] during a 41–22 victory at the [[1995 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Rams — December 24th, 1995| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512240ram.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> He finished with 26 combined tackles (23 solo), seven pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and four starts.<ref>{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1995)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref name="career"/>

====1996====
On January 11, 1996, the [[1996 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] hired [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]] to be their new head coach after the retirement of Don Shula. Troy Vincent departed in free agency to sign with the [[1996 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]. Throughout training camp, Buckley competed for the role as the No. 1 starting cornerback against J. B. Brown and [[Calvin Jackson (American football)|Calvin Jackson]] under new defensive coordinator [[George Hill (American football)|George Hill]]. He was named the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and was paired with Calvin Jackson.

On September 1, 1996, Buckley started in the Dolphins' home-opener against the [[1996 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] and recorded one solo tackle, set a season-high with two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by [[Drew Bledsoe]] to wide receiver [[Troy Brown]] as they won 10–24.<ref>{{cite web| title=New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins — September 1st, 1996| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609010mia.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> The following week, he made four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off passes by Boomer Esiason and [[Kent Graham]] during a 38–10 victory at the [[1996 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] in Week 2.<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals — September 8th, 1996| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609080crd.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> In Week 3, he had three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by [[Neil O'Donnell]] as the Dolphins defeated the [[1996 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] 36–27.<ref>{{cite web| title=New York Jets at Miami Dolphins — September 15th, 1996| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609150mia.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> On October 13, 1996, Buckley set a season-high with six combined tackles (five solo), made two pass deflections, and had a pick-six, returning an interception on a pass by Jim Kelly to wide receiver [[Andre Reed]] for 91–yards to score a touchdown during a 21–7 win at the [[1996 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — October 13th, 1996| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610130buf.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> In Week 10, he made four solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had his sixth interception of the season on a pass by Drew Bledsoe to wide receiver [[Terry Glenn]] during a 23–42 loss at the New England Patriots.<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots — November 3rd, 1996| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199611030nwe.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> He started all 16 games in 1996 and finished with a total of 52 combined tackles (45 solo), 17 pass deflections, six interceptions, and scored one touchdown.<ref name="ESPN6">{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1996)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref> His 164–yards on interception returns led the league in 1996.

====1997====
The Dolphins selected [[Sam Madison]] in the second round (44th overall) of the [[1997 NFL Draft]]. On July 1, 1997, the [[1997 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] signed Buckley to a two-year contract extension.

Although they drafted Sam Madison, head coach Jimmy Johnson elected to retain Buckley and Calvin Jackson as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. On October 27, 1997, Buckley made one solo tackle and recovered a fumble by wide receiver [[Ricky Proehl]] and returned it 22–yards for a touchdown during a 33–36 overtime loss to the [[1997 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins — October 27th, 1997| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199710270mia.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> In Week 11, he set a season-high with 11 combined tackles (seven solo) as the Dolphins lost 24–17 against the [[1997 New York Jets season|New York Jets]].<ref name="ESPN7">{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1997)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On December 7, 1997, Buckley made five combined tackles (four solo), two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off passes by [[Scott Mitchell (quarterback)|Scott Mitchell]] during a 33–30 victory against the [[1997 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins — December 7th 1997| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809060clt.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref><ref name="ESPN7"/> He started all 16 games for the second consecutive season and set a career-high with 85 combined tackles (67 solo), ten pass deflections, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and scored two touchdowns.<ref name="career"/>

====1998====
The [[1998 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] would select [[Patrick Surtain]] in the second round (44th overall) of the [[1998 NFL Draft]]. Throughout training camp, Buckley competed to retain his role as the No. 1 starting cornerback against Sam Madison (4× Pro Bowl) and Patrick Surtain (3× Pro Bowl). Head coach Jimmy Johnson selected Buckley and Sam Madison as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season with rookie Patrick Surtain as the third option.<ref name="lineup">{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins Historical Starting Lineups| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/lineups.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>

On September 6, 1998, Buckley started in the Dolphins' season-opener at the [[1998 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] and made three solo tackles, set a season-high with four pass deflections, made two interceptions, and returned one for a 21–yard touchdown during a 24–15 victory.<ref name="ESPN8">{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1998)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=ESPN.com: Terrell Buckley Game Log (1998)| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/322/terrell-buckley |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=ESPN.com}}</ref> During the second quarter, Buckley intercepted a pass thrown by rookie quarterback [[Peyton Manning]] to wide receiver [[Marvin Harrison]] and returned it 12–yards, marking the first interception of Manning's career after 22 minutes and 1 second.<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts — September 6th, 1998| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809060clt.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> In Week 6, he recorded two solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by [[Mark Brunell]] to wide receiver [[Keenan McCardell]] during a 21–28 loss at the [[1998 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]]. On November 29, 1998, he had three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by [[Kerry Collins]] to tight end [[Cam Cleeland]] as the Dolphins defeated the [[1998 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] 10–30.<ref>{{cite web| title=New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins — November 29th, 1998| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811290mia.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref><ref name="ESPN8"/> The following week, he made three solo tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by [[Donald Hollas]] to wide receiver [[James Jett]] during a 27–17 win at the [[1998 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in Week 14.<ref>{{cite web| title=Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders — December 6th, 1998| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199812060rai.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref><ref name="ESPN8"/> On December 13, 1998, Buckley made three combined tackles (two solo), had one pass break-up, and had his third consecutive game with an interception, picking off [[Vinny Testaverde]] on a pass to wide receiver [[Keyshawn Johnson]] during a 21–16 loss against the [[1998 New York Jets season|New York Jets]].<ref>{{cite web| title=New York Jets at Miami Dolphins — December 13th, 1998| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199812130mia.htm |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> This marked his eighth interception of the season setting a career-high. His eight [[List of NFL annual interceptions leaders|interceptions finished second in the league in 1998]], behind [[Ty Law]] with nine interceptions. He started all 16 games and finished with a total of 52 combined tackles (44 solo) and one touchdown. He set career-highs in interceptions (8) and pass deflections (20).<ref name="ESPN8"/><ref name="career"/>

===Denver Broncos===
On July 21, 2000, the [[Denver Broncos]] signed Buckley to a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web| title=Former Rivals Join Broncos| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/21/sports/pro-football-former-rivals-join-broncos.html |access-date=June 25, 2025| website=[[The New York Times]]| date=July 21, 2000}}</ref>

===New England Patriots===
On July 8, 2001, the [[New England Patriots]] signed Buckley to a one-year contract.
Buckley is one of only two players (the other being [[Ken Riley]]) with 50+ interceptions to never make a [[Pro Bowl]]. He responded to criticism of his tackling by giving himself the nickname “the Vaccinator.” The nickname would stay with him over the years if only in an ironic sense.

He had at least one interception in 13 consecutive seasons. While playing for the [[2001 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]], in the [[2001–02 NFL playoffs#AFC Championship: New England Patriots 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17|2001 AFC Championship Game]] against the [[2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]], Buckley had an interception in the 24–17 win. He won a [[Super Bowl XXXVI|Super Bowl]] ring two weeks later in the win over the [[2001 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]].

==NFL career statistics==
===Regular season===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="5"| Interceptions
! colspan="4"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Comb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD 
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] || [[1992 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]
| 14 || 12 || 32 || — || — || 0.0 || 3 || 33 || 11.0 || 33 || '''1''' || 0 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] || [[1993 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 48 || — || — || 0.0 || 2 || 31 || 15.5 || 31 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] || [[1994 Green Bay Packers season|GB]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 59 || 48 || 11 || 0.0 || 5 || 38 || 7.6 || 26 || 0 || '''3''' || 1 || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] || [[1995 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || 4 || 26 || 23 || 3 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] || [[1996 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 53 || 46 || 7 || 0.0 || 6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''164''' || 27.3 || '''91''' || '''1''' || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] || [[1997 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || '''85''' || '''67''' || '''18''' || 0.0 || 4 || 26 || 6.5 || 12 || 0 || 1 || 2 || '''23''' || '''1''' 
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] || [[1998 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 51 || 44 || 7 || 0.0 || '''8''' || 157 || 19.6 || 61 || '''1''' || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || 11 || 44 || 38 || 6 || '''1.0''' || 3 || 3 || 1.0 || 18 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 38 || 35 || 3 || 0.0 || 6 || 110 || 18.3 || 33 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[2001 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 15 || 1 || 27 || 25 || 2 || '''1.0''' || 3 || 76 || 25.3 || 52 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| '''16''' || 2 || 22 || 22 || 0 || 0.0 || 4 || 50 || 12.5 || 39 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]
| '''16''' || 5 || 51 || 40 || 11 || 0.0 || 2 || 75 || '''37.5''' || 74 || '''1''' || 1 || '''4''' || 8 || 0
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] || [[2004 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| '''16''' || 0 || 10 || 8 || 2 || 0.0 || 3 || 30 || 10.0 || 18 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] || [[2005 New York Giants season|NYG]]
| 4 || 0 || colspan="13"|''Did not record any stats''
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 209 !! 131 !! 546 !! 396 !! 70 !! 2.0 !! 50 !! 793 !! 15.9 !! 91 !! 6 !! 10 !! 15 !! 31 !! 1
|}

==Coaching career==
===Florida State===

Buckley got his coaching start after earning his undergraduate degree from [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] in 2007. From 2008 to 2011, he served in various assistant roles on [[Bobby Bowden]] and [[Jimbo Fisher]]’s staffs.

===Akron===
Finally getting his first on-the-field coaching position, Buckley was hired by his collegiate head coach's son, [[Terry Bowden]], at the [[Akron Zips football|University of Akron]] in January 2012 to coach cornerbacks. This reunited him with Coach [[Chuck Amato]] and with Coach [[Todd Stroud]]—who he played for, and coached with at FSU.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/ua-s-terrell-buckley-drawn-to-coaching-to-mold-men-not-just-cornerbacks-1.329537|title=UA's Terrell Buckley drawn to coaching to mold men, not just cornerbacks |work=Akron Beacon Journal Online |date=August 25, 2012 |access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref>

===Louisville===
After two seasons at Akron, he was hired as the cornerbacks coach at the [[Louisville Cardinals football|University of Louisville]] in January 2014.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011714aab.html |title=Petrino Completes Staff with the Hiring of Thomas and Buckley |publisher=[[Louisville Cardinals|University of Louisville Athletics]] |date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122013710/http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011714aab.html |archive-date=January 22, 2014 }}</ref>

===Mississippi State===
On January 7, 2016, Buckley was hired as the [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safeties]] coach at [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State University]].<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2016/01/07/u-ls-buckley-headed-miss-state/78423132/ U of L's Buckley headed for Miss. State]</ref><ref>[http://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/sec/mississippi-state-university/article53541510.html Reports: Pascagoula legend Terrell Buckley to join Mississippi State staff]</ref>

===Ole Miss===
On January 18, 2020, Buckley was hired as cornerbacks coach<ref>{{Cite web|title=A dozen players on the 2004 Patriots team became coaches. What was it about that squad? |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/18/sports/they-were-coaches-field-now-dozen-players-2004-patriots-team-are-coaches-off-it-too/|first=Christopher|last=Price|date=May 18, 2020|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> at [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Terrell Buckley - Football Coach|url=https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/terrell-buckley/618|website=Ole Miss Athletics|language=en|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> by [[Lane Kiffin]], the new head coach. Buckley was hired for his success in both recruiting and developing elite talent both on and off the field, and for grooming NFL talent.

=== XFL ===
On April 6, 2022, it was reported that Buckley had accepted a job with the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]] to become the head coach of an upcoming Orlando franchise (the former [[Tampa Bay Vipers]]).  The league confirmed Buckley's hiring, but not the existence of a team in Orlando, on April 14.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Terrell Buckley Set to Join XFL as Head Coach of New Orlando Franchise |url=https://xflnewsroom.com/news/terrell-buckley-reportedly-joining-xfl-as-head-coach-of-new-orlando-franchise/ |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 25, 2022, the XFL confirmed a franchise in Orlando, Florida with Buckley announced as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2022 |title=Orlando to host XFL franchise coached by Terrell Buckley |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-xfl-0725-20220725-25q7qrl3pzerzlsrkep3byhh2u-story.html |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> On October 31, 2022, the team was branded the [[Orlando Guardians]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title= Orlando's new XFL team is the Guardians | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/orlando-e2-80-99s-new-xfl-team-is-the-guardians/ar-AA13zNb0 | access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 1, 2024, it was announced the Guardians would not be a part of the UFL merger.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Orlando Guardians won't move forward after USFL-XFL merger |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/01/01/orlando-guardians-xfl-ufl-spring-football-dany-garcia/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Mississippi Valley State ===
Buckley was hired as the head football coach at [[Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football|Mississippi Valley State University]], a [[historically black college]], on January 21, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Terrell Buckley Named as Head Football Coach for Mississippi Valley State University |url=https://mvsusports.com/news/2025/1/21/terrell-buckley-named-as-head-football-coach-for-mississippi-valley-state-university.aspx |access-date=January 22, 2025 |work=Mississippi Valley State University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Terrell Buckley Named Head Coach Of Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils |url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/terrell-buckley-named-head-coach-of-mississippi-valley-state |access-date=January 22, 2025 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

== Head coaching record ==

=== XFL ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="4"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-<!-- !style="background:"-->
![[2023 Orlando Guardians season|ORL]]||[[2023 XFL season|2023]]
|| 1 || 9 || {{winpct|1|9}}|| 4th XFL South || — || — || — || — 
|-
! colspan="2"|Total|| 1 || 9 || {{winpct|1|9}} || || — || — || — ||
|}

===College===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football|Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils]]
 | conf      = [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]]
 | startyear = 2025
 | endyear   = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2025]]
 | name         = [[2025 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football team|Mississippi Valley State]]
 | overall      = 0–0
 | conference   = 0–0
 | confstanding = <small>(East)</small>
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Mississippi Valley State
 | overall    = 0–0
 | confrecord = 0–0
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 0–0
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = no
 | polltype = 
}}

==Personal life==
Buckley has three daughters, Sherrell, Brianna, and Britney. He is the son of Eddie Buckley Sr. of Columbia, MS and Laura Buckley of Pascagoula, MS. He is a distant cousin of the late [[Chicago Bears]] [[running back]] [[Walter Payton]].

Buckley majored in theater with a minor in [[political science]] in college, and played baseball in the [[Atlanta Braves]] organization prior to reporting to Green Bay's training camp in July 1994.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} His hobbies include baseball, basketball and golf. Buckley has participated in events benefiting the [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]] and the [[Cystic Fibrosis Foundation]]. He has worked on behalf of the national [[Feed the Children]] campaign. He assisted in building a house in [[Little Haiti]] for [[Habitat for Humanity]] during the 1999 offseason.

[[Sports radio|Sports Talk]] radio host [[Jim Rome]] refers to Buckley as "T-Buck" and credits him as one of [[The Jim Rome Show|The Jungle]]'s first guests who appeared consistently on the program. Rome, inaccurately, credits Buckley as the inventor of the [[Lambeau Leap]], based on an interview that Buckley gave.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{College Football HoF|2433}}
* [https://hailstate.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/terrell-buckley/2174 Mississippi State Bulldogs profile]
* [https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/terrell-buckley/618 Ole Miss Rebels profile]

{{Southwestern Athletic Conference football coach navbox}}
{{Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football coach navbox}}
{{Thorpeawardwinners}}
{{1991 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1992 NFL Draft}}
{{Green Bay Packers 1992 NFL draft picks}}
{{Green Bay Packers first-round draft picks}}
{{Super Bowl XXXVI}}
{{Orlando Guardians}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buckley, Terrell}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Akron Zips football coaches]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Mississippi]]
[[Category:American football cornerbacks]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
[[Category:Florida State Seminoles baseball players]]
[[Category:Florida State Seminoles football players]]
[[Category:Green Bay Packers players]]
[[Category:Louisville Cardinals football coaches]]
[[Category:Miami Dolphins players]]
[[Category:Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football coaches]]
[[Category:New England Patriots players]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:New York Jets players]]
[[Category:Ole Miss Rebels football coaches]]
[[Category:Orlando Guardians head coaches]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Macon Braves players]]
[[Category:Mobile BayBears players]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]