Tommy Perry joined South Alabama as special teams coordinator in Jan. 2026.
It is Perry’s second stint as a Jaguar as he was South’s special teams coordinator and running backs coach from 2009-12.
Prior to returning to Mobile, Perry was the special teams coordinator at Colorado State for four seasons. In 2025, he mentored punter Bryan Hansen who was named First Team-All Mountain West Conference. Hansen finished third nationally with an average of 47.89, which stands as the third-best single season in CSU history. Punt returner Javion Kinnard was also named to the league’s second team after averaging 23.0 yards per return and taking a punt 91 yards for a touchdown against Hawaii. The Rams went 8-5 during the 2024 season and made an appearance in the Arizona Bowl.
Before his time in Fort Collins, Perry was the special teams coordinator at UTSA for two seasons. In San Antonio, he helped the Roadrunners win the Conference USA Championship in 2021. He also helped placekicker Hunter Duplesis become a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. Perry arrived at UTSA after two seasons as special teams coordinator at Nevada where he helped the Wolfpack make big strides in punting and the return game.
Perry was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at North Texas for four seasons before he moved to Nevada. In 2014, the Mean Green hit 15-of-17 field goal attempts, which set a school record for field goal percentage. North Texas’ kickoff return defense was also fifth in the nation that season. North Texas led the nation with eight blocked kicks in 2013, which was Perry’s first year on staff. Of those eight blocked kicks, five were on blocked punts. Three of those five blocked punts resulted in touchdowns for UNT.
Perry was on the inaugural coaching staff at South Alabama in 2009, and remained with the Jags through 2012. In 2012, South Alabama's first season as a full-member FBS team, Kicker Michel Chapuseaux set the school record for scoring with 84 points.
Perry cut his teeth in coaching at Alabama, working as a graduate assistant under both Mike Shula and Nick Saban. Perry helped coach special teams for the Crimson Tide. Before his time in Tuscaloosa, Perry worked as a special teams assistant and head strength coach for NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals in 2006. His career started in 2004 as a strength and conditioning coach at Texas. The following season, he coached special teams and running backs at Texas A&M Commerce.
Perry, a Monroe, La. native, received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 2003 and went on to earn a masters degree from Texas A&M Commerce in 2005. He and his wife, Roberta, have two children, Joanna and Jude.
THE TOMMY PERRY FILE
PERSONAL
Born: Aug. 29, 1980
Hometown: Monroe, La.
Education: Texas A&M, 2003 (Bachelor’s) & Texas A&M Commerce, 2005 (Masters)
Wife: Roberta
Children: Joanna and Jude
PLAYING CAREER
College: Tyler Junior College & Texas A&M (Linebacker, Defensive End & Fullback)
COACHING CAREER
2004: Texas (Assistant Strength & Conditioning)
2005: Texas A&M Commerce (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs)
2006: Amsterdam Admirals (Special Teams)
2006-08: Alabama (Graduate Assistant)
2009-12: South Alabama (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs)
2013-16: North Texas (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs)
2017-19: Nevada (Special Teams Coordinator)
2020-21: UTSA (Special Teams Coordinator)
2022-25: Colorado State (Special Teams Coordinator)
2026-present: South Alabama (Special Teams Coordinator)
