Tommy Perry will coach the special teams unit in his third season under head coach Jay Norvell and the Nevada football program.
Last season the Wolf Pack improved its punt return game under Perry’s guidance, going from 10.0 yards per return to 12.59 yards per return, which ranked second in the Mountain West and 24th nationally. A big reason for the increase in punt return success was rookie Romeo Doubs, who returned a punt against Portland State 80 yards for a touchdown on his first collegiate touch. Perry also worked with punter Quinton Conaway, who established himself as one of the top punters in the conference. In 2018 Conaway’s 43.6 yards per punt average ranked in the top five in the league and in the top 30 nationally. Conaway also booted a 74 yard punt last season, which was tied for the 12th longest punt of the season across the nation.
In his first season at the helm of the special teams, the Wolf Pack ranked fourth in the Mountain West in both kickoff returns and punt returns under Perry’s guidance. Nevada averaged 22.1 yards per return on kickoffs and 10.0 yards per return on punts. During his rookie season, Daiyan Henley’s 23.1 yards per return average on kickoffs ranked inside the top 50 nationally and was sixth in the conference. Additionally, Nevada placekicker Spencer Pettit hit a career-long 47-yard field goal last season in Perry’s first year.
Perry came to Reno after a four-year stint as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator at North Texas. He did a complete transformation of the Mean Green special teams unit when he arrived in 2013 and the results were evident. In the 2014 season the Mean Green placekicker hit 15-of-17 field goal attempts, setting a school record with his conversion rate of 88.2. Perry's kickoff return defense was fifth in the nation in 2014, holding its opponents to only 16.4 yards per return. Additionally the Mean Green’s punter finished the season with the second-highest punting average in Conference-USA at 44.8 yards per kick.
In Perry’s first season with North Texas, the team led the nation with eight blocked kicks, including five blocked punts, which also led the nation. Of those five blocked punts, three resulted in touchdowns. Perry's impact on special teams was also felt on the return game as the top returner averaged 27.6 yards per kick return, which included a 99-yard touchdown return against No. 9 Georgia.
The North Texas running backs also thrived under Perry in 2013. Former Mean Green back Brandin Byrd posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season and two of the top-10 longest rushes in school history. North Texas as a team rushed for 31 touchdowns that year, the second-most in school history and most since 1951.
Perry has over a decade of coaching experience and prior to North Texas he spent four seasons as an assistant at South Alabama where he served in the same capacity, coaching the running backs and special teams. In 2012, the first season at the FBS level for South Alabama, Perry coached placekicker Michel Chapuseaux, who set the school record for scoring with 84 points. In the offensive backfield, the duo of Kendall Houston and Demetre Baker both finished among the top 10 in FCS Independent rushing and scoring.
Prior to his time at South Alabama, Perry spent three seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide working as both a graduate assistant and intern under Nick Saban and Mike Shula. The Crimson Tide went undefeated in the regular season in the fall of 2008, advancing to the Southeastern Conference championship game as well as the Allstate Sugar Bowl. After posting a 12-2 record, the team ranked sixth in both the final Associated Press and USA Today top-25 polls.
Perry began his coaching career as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Texas in 2004, also serving as an academic advisor for the Longhorns. He became a linebacker and strength coach at Texas A&M-Commerce later that year, moving over to coach running backs and handle kickoff return duties in 2005 for the Lions. Perry has additional experience coaching at the professional level after working as a special teams assistant and head strength coach for NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals in 2006.
Perry graduated from Texas A&M University in 2003 with a degree in English and history. He played two seasons for the Aggies as a fullback, inside linebacker and defensive end, while also participating on special teams. He then earned his master’s degree in health and human performance from Texas A&M-Commerce in 2005.
Perry and his wife, Angela, have two daughters, Joanna Rose and Jude. He is the grandson of 1957 Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow.
The File on Tommy Perry
Born: Aug. 29, 1980
Hometown: Monroe, La.
Family: Wife – Angela; Daughters – Joanna Rose, Jude
Education: Bachelor's, Texas A&M University, 2003; Master’s, Texas A&M University – Commerce, 2005
Coaching Experience
2017-present: Special Teams, Nevada
2013-16: RBs/Special Teams, North Texas
2009-12: RBs/Special Teams, South Alabama
2006-08: Graduate Assistant/Intern, Alabama
2006: Special Teams/Strength, Amsterdam Admirals
2005: RBs/Special Teams, Texas A&M-Commerce
2004: Asst. Strength & Conditioning, Texas
Playing Experience
Tyler Junior College: Linebacker (2000-01)
Texas A&M: Linebacker (2002-03)
