coaches

COACHING EXPERIENCE

DeMontie Cross enters his fifth season with the Bills in 2010 after being retained by head coach Chan Gailey and named inside linebackers coach.

From 2007-2009, Cross served as the team’s Assistant Linebackers/Special Teams after joining the team in 2006 as a Defensive Assistant/Special Teams. Below are defensive milestones under Cross’ guidance.

• LB Paul Posluszny tied for second among linebackers in the NFL in 2009 with three interceptions and led the team with 115 tackles
• OLB Kawika Mitchell tied for the team-lead with 4.0 sacks in 2008, and added two key interceptions to seal victories against San Diego and Denver
• SLB Angelo Crowell saw an increase in his production in 2007, setting a career-high and team-leading 140 tackles and ranked fourth in the AFC in the category

Along with his defensive assignments, Cross worked primarily with the gunners on the punt coverage unit and jammers on the punt return unit of the Bills’ special teams from 2007-09. Below are special teams highlights accomplished under Cross:

• DB John Wendling finished first in the NFL in 2009 with 26 total special teams tackles according to statspass.com
• In 2008, Buffalo finished first in the Dallas Morning News’ comprehensive special teams rankings as the Bills led the NFL in average drive start position (32.6) and ranked second in kick return average (24.9), punt return average (13.5) and opponent kickoff return average (19.8)

Cross joined the Bills as a defensive/special teams assistant after spending 2001-05 as Iowa State’s outside linebackers/special teams coordinator. Cross’ unit made major contributions to the Cyclones’ record-setting defenses during his stint.  Cross developed Jeremy Loyd into an all-Big 12 performer who played for the St. Louis Rams.  Loyd was named Iowa State’s Defensive MVP in 2001 and 2002.

Cross spent the 2000 season coaching a defensive backfield at Sam Houston State that ranked second nationally (Division I-AA). Cross’ Sam Houston State pass defense, led by free safety Keith Davis who was the Southland Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and started the 2005 season for the Dallas Cowboys at safety.

Cross began his coaching career as the outside linebackers coach at the University of Missouri (1998-99).

PERSONAL: A 1997 Missouri graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Cross made 415 career tackles at free safety for the Tigers from 1994-96…led Missouri in tackles as a junior and senior…received second-team all-conference honors from the Big Eight in 1995 and the Big 12 in 1996…Cross, who played prep football at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Mo., received the Athletic Director’s Leadership Award in 1996…he has two daughters (Jadyn, Sheridan).