The Jets answered cornerback Ray Mickens' season-ending ACL injury just before the 2004 season kicked off with a combination of insurance, experience, and a Lombardi Trophy-winning attitude in Terrell Buckley.
Green Bay's first-round draft choice out of Florida State in 1992, Buckley had played 12 seasons for the Packers, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins before arriving in Gotham to fulfill the role that the Jets needed.
"I was going into my 13th year, so the product and everything was proven out. Go do what you've been doing. Be a dependable DB. Go make plays. Go be a positive guy in a locker room. Help the young guys," Buckley said.
"It's one of those things that I got help when I was younger, especially in college, and always was grateful for those guys. LeRoy Butler was one of the ones that helped me when I got to Florida State. And then it just so happened that I followed LeRoy to Green Bay and it continued there.
"So that was really, really helpful for me, and I wanted to put my own spin on it and take it to another level. Not just on the field, but off the field, too. Just making myself available to the guys and whatever questions or whatever they had, I wanted to make sure I was there for them."
Playing mostly in the dime defenses, Buckley was there for the Jets in the season-opening victory over Cincinnati, the start of a five-game winning streak, and with interceptions in Week 5 against Buffalo, Week 8 against Miami, and Week 12 against Arizona. New York won each of those games en route to a 10-6 record and a return to the playoffs after going 6-10 the previous season.
Interceptions and victories were commonplace for Buckley before he joined the Green & White. He totaled 47 picks, six that were returned for touchdowns. And had never experienced a losing season. He took part in the playoffs eight times, and helped the 2001 Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI.
"When I first arrived, obviously, I was late, and this is how the NFL is truly a family," Buckley said. "You walk into the locker room and Curtis Martin and all these guys that have been around, just accept you with open arms. They realize you're doing it, or at least you're trying to do it, the right way.
"It was just like, 'Hey, you can help us. Let's get it done.' You could feel the love. That is being appreciated. And that they respect what you're doing is like one of the best feelings in the world.
"I just wanted to help. I didn't look at it as a mentor or a big brother thing. I just wanted to pass along some knowledge and wisdom I had gained over the years. Because in my younger days, I'd been in some of their positions and that led to other things. It's like, 'Man, this is really nice. I'm not getting anything out of this, and I feel wonderful. This is good.'"
Going on to play his 14th season in 2005 with the next-door Giants, what makes Buckley most proud of his career?
"I would say the consistency. One of the beauties of playing for different organizations is you get to test your, what I call now, your football IQ, football intelligence," he said. "Because every system is different. And being able to make plays no matter what, no matter the circumstances, training camp, no training camp, different system, different codes, different personalities, I'm just very thankful in not losing myself in all those situations.
"And to me, the different teams were a true blessing because I grew. It was just exciting. The different teams, the coaches, it really tests you in ways that you wouldn't get tested. If I would have played for the Packers my entire 14 years, I don't think I would have the growth or be the type of person I am now."
Some are born to play the game. Some are born to coach the game. Buckley was born to do both. And to do so very well.
An incredible career on the field has led to a second incredible career on the sideline.
"One of my good buddies, John Davis, was doing summer camps, just trying to give back to the community and the youth," Buckley said. "And he pulled me to the side after an hour and a half and said, 'Man, the energy and the passion you have for coaching and being detailed about this game that all of us love and has been great to us, you need to think about that because you have what it takes. Not just the understanding, but the desire, the patience, and the passion to be a teacher.'
"Coaching is teaching. If you really want to elevate somebody's game, it's not just the teaching; it's having the patience. And I have the experience from my playing career and watching other guys on how to get to different people."
Beginning in 2007, two seasons after he hung up his cleats, Buckley was a college assistant coach at Florida State, Akron, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. In 2023, he was the head coach of the XFL's Orlando Guardians.
And this past January, he became the head coach at Mississippi Valley State University.
"I'm from Mississippi and I've always wanted to be a head coach in college," Buckley said. "This opportunity came, and Valley State, they haven't had any success since Jerry Rice left. And I love a good challenge. I'm built for this.
"One of my slogans is Mississippi Made. And the coaches that came with me also have similar backgrounds and are built for this challenge. Because make no mistake about it, it is a challenge here at Mississippi Valley State University. Not only on the field, but off the field. Economically, all of those things."
Seeing improvement is what Buckley has enjoyed most over the years working with young student-athletes.
"It's like if you have kids and you see that the baby is crawling and starts to walk, you're like, 'Man, I'm so proud.' That's pure joy, right?" he said. "Well, when you take a young man that's coming from high school and you see them develop in every area of their life, not just on the field, off the field, in the community, it's like, wow! You're witnessing something special. You're witnessing growth. And that's all you can ask for."
And what makes Buckley most proud of his career as a coach is seeing his players reach their dreams.
"I've recruited, developed, and watched over 30 guys sign professional contracts," he said. "Whether it's the NFL, Canadian, XFL, or now UFL, that is exciting to me. Just to see the impact on the kids. And then as they get older, they come back and visit. So I would say, reaching their dreams and the impact that I've had on their lives."
Buckley and his wife, Mechel, have four daughters: Sherrell, Brianna, Britney, and Sierra; a son, Cameron; and a grandson, Braxton; in their lives.
"I know where my blessings have come from, my kids," Buckley said. "We take a family trip every year, and just for them wanting to still spend time with their dad lets me know that I put the time in.
"So I've got many things to be blessed about. I'm just very joyful and thankful for all the stuff that put me in this position. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. All those things combined."
