A native of Batesville, Mississippi, Townsend played high school football for the South Panola Tigers, where he was the teammate of fellow future Alabama Crimson Tide star Dwayne Rudd. Townsend played quarterback at South Panola and led the team to the 1993 Mississippi State 5A championship and an undefeated 15–0 record.
Playing career
College
Along with Rudd, Townsend continued his career in college at the University of Alabama where both became members of the Theta Delta Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, in 1995. He majored in business management.
He had seven career interceptions at Alabama. In 1995 at Georgia, Townsend returned a blocked field goal attempt 90 yards for a touchdown in a 31–0 win.
Townsend was named All-SEC in 1995, 1996, and 1997.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Townsend in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft. He was the 14th cornerback drafted in 1998.[1]
Townsend (#26) making a tackle in 2005
Townsend grew from a special teams player and nickelback (and initially known in Pittsburgh as the first player to wear Rod Woodson's number 26 after left the Steelers), into a solid starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers at cornerback. Townsend was known for his outside speed as a pass rusher. Townsend has recorded 322 tackles, 15.5 quarterback sacks and 18 interceptions during his twelve years as a Steeler. He also had a key sack on SeattlequarterbackMatt Hasselbeck during the final minutes of Super Bowl XL, which helped secure the Steelers eventual victory.
On March 23, 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Townsend to a four-year, $4.20 million contract as an unrestricted free agent that included a signing bonus of $1 million. He visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during free agency and his agent was also contacted by the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons.[2]
On March 17, 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Townsend to a four-year, $8 million contract that included a signing bonus of $2 million. He received the contract offer during a visit with the New England Patriots.[3]
During the 2008 season, Townsend accepted the reduced role from starting cornerback to the nickel package.
Indianapolis Colts
In August 2010, Townsend joined the Indianapolis Colts.[4] On November 9, 2010, he was waived by the Colts. For the season, Townsend played in eight Colts games with no starts, and totaled 10 tackles and no interceptions or sacks.
Coaching career
Arizona Cardinals
On February 10, 2011, Townsend was hired as assistant defensive backs coach of the Arizona Cardinals, joining former coach Ray Horton who was named defensive coordinator.[5] He was released alongside head coach Ken Whisenhunt at the end of the 2012 season.
Mississippi State
In January 2013, Townsend was hired as cornerbacks coach at Mississippi State University.[6] Under his coaching, defensive back Nickoe Whitley recorded 5 interceptions, 2nd-best in the SEC, Jamerson Love ranked 2nd in interception return touchdowns, and Taveze Calhoun ranked 2nd in interception return yards.[7] Whitley would be named All-SEC.
Tennessee Titans
On January 26, 2016, Townsend was named the defensive backs coach of the Tennessee Titans, joining his former defensive coordinator when he was a player, Dick LeBeau from the Steelers during 2004–09.[8] Under his coaching, safety Kevin Byard led the NFL in interceptions, make the 2018 Pro Bowl, and was named first-team All-Pro.[9][10]
New York Giants
On February 6, 2018, Townsend was named the assistant defensive backs coach for the New York Giants.[11] Under his coaching, cornerback Janoris Jenkins ranked 5th in passes defended and safety Landon Collins made the Pro Bowl.[12][13]
Chicago Bears
On January 18, 2019, Townsend was named the defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears,[14] a position that was eventually renamed to secondary coach.[15] Under his coaching, Kyle Fuller made the Pro Bowl.[16]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On February 17, 2022, Townsend was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach under head coach Doug Pederson.[17] He was let go of his duties and fired on January 8, 2024.[18]
Detroit Lions
On February 21, 2024, Townsend was hired by the Detroit Lions as their passing game coordinator and Defensive backs coach under head coach Dan Campbell.[19]
