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Chris Harris

Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks

Biography

Chris Harris is in his 19th NFL season, his 11th season in coaching and his second season with the Titans in 2024. He arrived in Tennessee in 2023 after spending three seasons (2020-22) as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders.

In his first season with the Titans, the defense tied for the eighth-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (20) and yielded the fifth-fewest overall opponent touchdowns (33). The defense also ranked first in the NFL in red-zone efficiency (37.7 percent).

With Harris in Washington from 2020 to 2022, the Commanders ranked eighth in the NFL in passing defense (213.1 yards allowed per game) and fourth in total defense (323.4 yards per game). During that time, cornerback Kendall Fuller totaled 40 passes defensed, which ranked eighth in the NFL among all players.

The Commanders ended the 2022 campaign in the top 10 in a number of categories, including total defense (third), passing yards allowed (fourth), points allowed (seventh), third-down defense (first) and red-zone defense (eighth).

In 2020, Harris contributed to a defense that allowed 3,068 net passing yards, the organization's best finish since 2004. He helped cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Fuller become the first two Washington teammates to both record 11 or more passes defensed in a season since Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland both did so in 2016 and assisted Fuller in notching four interceptions, tied for the seventh-best total in 2020.

Harris joined Washington after serving as the Los Angeles Chargers assistant secondary coach from 2016-19. In 2019, the Chargers finished sixth in the league in overall defense, surrendering 313.1 yards per game. The group also ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game (200.3).

Harris began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach with the Chicago Bears in 2013 and 2014, working primarily with the team's safeties.

An eight-year NFL pro, Harris was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears (181st overall) in 2005. He played four seasons with the Bears over two separate stints (2005-06 and 2010-11) and also spent time with the Carolina Panthers (2007-09), Detroit Lions (2011) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2012). In 101 career NFL games (88 starts), he totaled 422 tackles, 16 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and 37 passes defensed. As a rookie in 2005, he was voted by teammates as one of the Bears' Brian Piccolo Award winners, given to players "who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of Brian Piccolo." In 2010, he was named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press. His eight forced fumbles for the Panthers in 2007 set a franchise record.

A native of Little Rock, Ark., Harris played collegiately at Louisiana-Monroe (2001-04). He started all 45 games he played, totaling 14 interceptions as a safety. As a senior, he registered seven interceptions and was named first-team All-Sun Belt.

Harris graduated from the University of Louisiana-Monroe in 2004 with a degree in general studies.

He has four children: sons Jayce, Jaxon and Jett, and daughter Skylar.

CHRIS HARRIS' COACHING TIMELINE

2023-24: Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks – Tennessee Titans
2020-22: Defensive Backs – Washington Commanders
2016-19: Assistant Defensive Backs – Los Angeles Chargers
2013-14: Defensive Quality Control Coach – Chicago Bears

CHRIS HARRIS' NFL PLAYING TIMELINE

2012: Safety – Jacksonville Jaguars
2011: Safety – Chicago Bears/Detroit Lions
2010: Safety – Chicago Bears
2007-09: Safety – Carolina Panthers
2005-06: Safety – Chicago Bears

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