North Carolina Central University Athletics

Eagle alum and former football player Courteney Coard joined the North Carolina Central football program and head coach Trei Oliver’s coaching staff in March 2022. He is currently the Eagles’ defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
 
In Coard’s second season in Durham, three Eagles were named First Team All-MEAC on defense: defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, linebacker Jayden Flaker and defensive back Jason Chambers. In addition, defensive lineman Trey Middleton and defensive back Kole Jones were second team honorees.
 
The 2022 season saw Coard coach the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in Khalil Baker. The Eagles won 10 games that season, earning a share of the conference title and earning a berth to the Cricket Celebration Bowl. That season, the Eagles were second in the MEAC in both scoring defense (21.5 ppg) and total defense (333.7 ypg).
 
NCCU was also second in the MEAC in rushing defense and interceptions that year.
 
Prior to returning to NCCU, Coard spent six seasons as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at North Carolina A&T State. He was named co-defensive coordinator in 2018, and he shared those duties with then-head coach Sam Washington. The Aggies ranked top 10 nationally in defense in 2018 and 2019, and the run defense was top five in the nation both seasons.
 
From 2011-14, he served as the Aggies’ defensive line coach, before going to the University of Georgia in 2015 to serve as a graduate assistant and returning to NCAT in 2016.
 
He was also an assistant defensive line coach at Grambling State from 2009-10.
 
Coard was a defensive tackle for the Eagles from 2004-07. He started all four years, earning All-Rookie honors in 2004, and he played on two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship squads (2005, 2006).
 
Coard earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from NCCU in 2008. Two years later, he earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Grambling State University.