Louie Cioffi - Football Coach - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Louie Cioffi

Title:
Co-Special Teams Coordinator
Phone:
615-898-2926

Updated May 2025

Louie Cioffi (pronounced Lou-ee CHOE-fee), a 26-year NFL veteran, is in his first season as a member of Derek Mason’s coaching staff. Cioffi serves as the programs co-Special Teams Coordinator.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
At Middle Tennessee, co-special teams coordinator, 2025-present
• Date Hired: May 16, 2025

At Cincinnati Bengals, defensive assistant, 2021-24
• Helped coach the secondary and handled pass game adjustments in game

At Vanderbilt, special consultant and defensive analyst, 2020
• Hired to help the staff during Covid-19 with player meetings, game plan ideas and advance work

At DC Defenders, defensive coordinator, 2020
• Helped guide DC Defenders in XFL to first place finish in the East
• Defense was responsible for first shutout in XFL history and finished first in defensive touchdowns
• Defense was second in third down efficiency and third in red zone stops

At Atlanta Legends, defensive coordinator/linebackers, 2019
• Defense led the league in total yards allowed (2,210), total yards allowed per game (276.3), passing yards allowed per game (158.4) and tied for fourth in quarterback sacks (19)

At Southeastern Louisiana, defensive coordinator, 2018
• Guided young defense to key wins over Southland Conference leaders Lamar and McNeese

At Cleveland Browns, defensive backs, 2016
• Helped Jamar Taylor turn in best season of his career (13 pass breakups and three interceptions) while developing free agent Briean Boddy-Calhoun

At Tennessee Titans, defensive backs, 2014-15
• Instructed Michael Griffin to one of his best seasons (112 tackles, 6 TFLs, 5 pass breakups in 2014), while also developing young players Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Daimion Stafford and Marqueston Huff

At Cleveland Browns, defensive backs, 2013
• The secondary ranked eighth in passing yards allowed and third in fewest yards per passing attempt (6.15)
• Guided cornerback Joe Haden and safety TJ Ward to their first pro bowl selections

At Arizona Cardinals, defensive backs, 2011-12
• Helped defense to lead NFL in passer rating defense (71.2) and interception percentage (4.4%) in 2011
• 2012 defense ranked second in interceptions (22), second in third-down efficiency (32.9%), fourth in takeaways (33) and fifth in passing yards allowed (200.8)
• Guided Patrick Peterson to fourth in the NFL with seven interceptions in 2012 to go with a league high five fumble recoveries on his way to the Pro Bowl

At Cincinnati Bengals, assistant defensive backs, 2003-10; defensive assistant, 1997-2002
• In eight seasons with the defensive backs, the unit had 150 interceptions to rank fifth most in the NFL during that time frame
• Joined the NFL in 1997 as the youngest full-time assistant coach in the NFL

COACHING EXPERIENCE
• 1993-94: New York Jets (assistant)
• 1995-96: C.W. Post University (wide receivers)
• 1997-2002: Cincinnati Bengals (defensive assistant/linebackers)
• 2003-10: Cincinnati Bengals (assistant defensive backs)
• 2011-12: Arizona Cardinals (defensive backs)
• 2013: Cleveland Browns (defensive backs)
• 2014-15: Tennessee Titans (defensive backs)
• 2016: Cleveland Browns (defensive backs)
• 2018: Southeastern Louisiana (defensive coordinator)
• 2019: Atlanta Legends (defensive coordinator)
• 2020: DC Defenders (defensive coordinator)
• 2020: Vanderbilt (special consultant/defensive analyst)
• 2021-24: Cincinnati Bengals (defensive assistant)
• 2025-Present: MTSU (co-special teams coordinator)

Personal
• Birthdate: Sept. 21, 1973
• Hometown: Queens, NY
• Wife: Cindy
• Children: Cecilia Elle, Corrine, Sigismondo Connor

Education
• High School: John Glenn
• College: SUNY-Stony Brook, B.S. in Political Science, 1995