
Chris Harris
Defensive Backs / Pass Game Coordinator
College: ULM
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Experience: 12 years
Biography
CHRIS HARRIS joins the New York Jets as the team's defensive backs/ pass game coordinator after two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, serving as the defensive pass game coordinator/cornerbacks (2023- 24). For Harris, 2025 marks his 12th season coaching in the NFL.
During the 2024 campaign, Harris' secondary unit in Tennessee allowed 177.3 net passing yards per game, second best in the NFL. Harris saw sixth-year safety Amani Hooker lead the Titans with a career-high five interceptions, tied for sixth-most in the League.
In 2023, the Titans defense ranked first in the NFL in opponent red[1]zone efficiency (37.7 percent), while tying for the eighth-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (20), yielding the fifth-fewest overall opponent touchdowns (33).
While with the Commanders in 2022, Harris helped Washington finish in the top 10 in numerous categories, including third-down defense (first), total defense (third), passing yards allowed (fourth), points allowed (seventh), and red-zone efficiency (eighth). Under Harris (2020-22), the Commanders ranked fourth in the League in total defense (323.4) and eighth in passing defense (213.1 yards allowed per game). During that time, Harris saw cornerback Kendall Fuller total 40 passes defensed, which ranked eighth in the NFL among all players.
In 2020, Harris played a key role in a defense that allowed just 3,068 net passing yards, marking the team's best performance since 2004. He aided cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kendall Fuller in becoming the first Washington teammates since Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland in 2016 to each record 11 or more passes defensed in a season. Additionally, he helped Fuller register four interceptions, tied for the seventh-most in 2020.
In 2019, the Chargers finished sixth in the League in overall defense, surrendering 313.1 yards per game and ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game (200.3).
Following his eight-year playing career, Harris started his coaching career with the team that drafted him, the Chicago Bears, as a defensive quality control coach (2013-14), working primarily with the team's safeties.
A former sixth-round selection by the Chicago Bears in the 2005 NFL Draft, Harris played safety in 101 games (88 starts) over eight seasons. He started in Super Bowl XLI where he intercepted a pass from Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. For his career, Harris registered 422 tackles, 16 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and 37 passes defensed. A starter for four seasons at Louisiana[1]Monroe (2001-04), he started all 45 games he played, totaling 14 interceptions as a safety and was named first-team All-Sun Belt.
Originally from Little Rock, AR, Harris went on to graduate from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a bachelor's degree in general studies (2004).
Harris has three sons, Jayce, Jaxon and Jett, and a daughter, Skylar.
FLIGHT PATH
New York Jets 2025-Present
Defensive Backs/Pass Game Coordinator 2025-Present
Tennessee Titans 2023-24
Def. Pass Game Coordinator/CBs 2023-24
Washington Commanders 2020-22
Defensive Backs 2020-22
Los Angeles Chargers 2016-19
Assistant Defensive Backs 2016-19
Chicago Bears 2013-14
Defensive Quality Control 2013-13
PLAYING CAREER
Jacksonville Jaguars (S) 2012
Detroit Lions (S) 2011
Chicago Bears (S) 2010-11
Carolina Panthers (S) 2007-09
Chicago Bears (S) 2005-06
Louisiana-Monroe (S) 2001-04