Jacques Cesaire
refer to caption
Cesaire in 2011.
Cleveland Browns
Position:Defensive line coach
Personal information
Born: (1980-08-30) August 30, 1980 (age 43)
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Bernard's (MA)
Gardner (MA)
College:Southern Connecticut (1998–2002)
Undrafted:2003
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:220
Sacks:12.5
Forced fumbles:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jacques E. Cesaire (born August 30, 1980) is a former American football defensive end and coach who is the defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He spent all nine years in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.

Early years

A native of Gardner and of Haitian descent, Cesaire started his high school football career in 1994 at nearby St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg.[1] However, he transferred to Gardner High School in 1996, and graduated there two years later. At Gardner, Cesaire lettered in football, basketball, and track and field.

Cesaire played football at Southern Connecticut State University from 1998 to 2002. In his final year, he was named the Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and was selected to the NCAA Division II All-America team by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He also played in the Cactus Bowl.

Professional career

In 2003, Cesaire was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He was one of many successful undrafted Chargers players that year, along with Stephen Cooper, Kris Dielman, Antonio Gates, and Kassim Osgood.

Cesaire's best years came between 2006 and 2008, when he totaled 8.5 sacks while playing a key role in the Chargers' defense. During these years, he was considered to be a significant team leader.[2]

Cesaire was released on August 31, 2012, after nine seasons with the Chargers. In total, he started 66 games, recorded 220 tackles, and tallied 12.5 sacks.

On January 21, 2013, Cesaire announced his retirement.[3] He spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers, winning five AFC West titles and reaching the AFC Championship Game during the 2007-08 playoffs.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2003 SD 4 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 SD 16 12 24 18 6 0.5 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
2005 SD 16 5 25 17 8 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 SD 16 10 37 27 10 4.0 6 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
2007 SD 16 6 37 20 17 2.5 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0
2008 SD 16 2 22 16 6 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2009 SD 13 13 26 15 11 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
2010 SD 16 16 31 23 8 1.5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 SD 12 2 15 10 5 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
125 66 220 147 73 12.5 18 0 0 0 0 9 3 1 0 0

Playoffs

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2004 SD 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 SD 3 0 4 4 0 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 SD 2 0 5 4 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 SD 1 1 4 3 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 2 13 11 2 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Coaching career

After a year working as a sports analyst for local radio and television in the San Diego area, Cesaire began his coaching career in college football with the Toreros of the University of San Diego in 2015. He was the assistant defensive line coach under Dale Lindsey until 2019. The team won the Pioneer Football League in each year Cesaire coached there.

On February 7, 2020, Cesaire was hired as the assistant defensive line coach, under Sean McDermott, for the Buffalo Bills.[4] The Bills won the AFC East title while he coached there.

On February 21, 2022, two weeks after the hiring of Lovie Smith, Cesaire was hired as the defensive line coach for the Houston Texans.[5]

On January 27, 2024, Cesaire was hired as the defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns after the Texans declined to renew his contract.[6]

Personal life

Cesaire is married to Jill Murray, a fellow Southern Connecticut alum, with whom he has three children: Viviana, Desmond, and Cassius.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chart: Haitian Americans in the NFL". The Washington Post. February 5, 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  2. ^ "NFL News, Scores, Standings & Stats".
  3. ^ "Jacques Cesaire - Houston Texans - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries".
  4. ^ "Bills hire Jacques Cesaire as assistant defensive line coach". www.buffalobills.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  5. ^ "Houston Texans Announce 2022 Coaching Staff". HoustonTexans.com. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Browns hire Jacques Cesaire as defensive line coach". 27 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Game On!". 14 October 2021.

External links

National Football League defensive line coaches
Categories