Former Vol defensive back Terry Fair, who served on Butch Jones’ staff as a defensive quality control assistant, is headed for Colorado State to coach defensive backs, the school has announced. Fair started at defensive back at Tennessee from 1994-97 and played six seasons in the NFL with the Lions, Panthers and Rams. He racked up 215 tackles, one sack and seven interceptions and accounted for over 3,000 career all-purpose yards as a punt and kick returner in the NFL.
Fair broke into coaching at the major college level on Butch Jones’ staff last season and, by all accounts, was well-liked by Tennessee’s players. He worked extensively with Tennessee’s defensive backs and returners the last two seasons. Though he’s not moving to the SEC, he will be working under a former SEC coach. Colorado State hired former Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to fill their head coaching vacancy after Jim McElwain left to take the Florida job.
After Fair’s pro career, he spent three seasons coaching defensive backs at Phoenix College. Fair made a modest salary of $20,010 in 2013 and his new position at Colorado State should come with a nice raise in addition to an increase in responsibility. We wish him nothing but the best. He worked hard for the opportunity to be a full-fledged assistant at a major college program and is very deserving of this opportunity.
