RONALD BOOKER II joins the New York Jets as a defensive assistant /nickels coach after spending the past five seasons with Arizona. Booker originally entered the NFL through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, prior to being hired by the Cardinals full-time that season.

In Booker's first season with Arizona (2021), he assisted the inside linebackers in a defense that allowed just 214.4 passing yards per game, ranked seventh in the league. Over the course of his time with the Cardinals, he helped oversee the development of safety Budda Baker, who made five consecutive Pro Bowls during his tenure. Baker posted 100+ tackles in three of those five seasons, including a career-high 164 tackles (2024), ranked second in the league.

Before joining the Cardinals, Booker spent two seasons (2019-20) as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, where he worked with the wide receivers. There, he helped develop freshman All-American and future first-round selection wide receiver Jordan Addison, as well as All-ACC selection wide receiver Maurice Ffrench, who in 2019 set the school's single-season reception record (96) previously owned by first-ballot Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald (92 catches in 2003).

Booker got his coaching start at his alma mater, Rhodes College, where he spent five seasons (2014-18) and held a variety of positions including safeties coach, defensive backs coach, wide receivers coach, special teams coordinator, and strength & conditioning director. During his tenure at Rhodes, Booker also held the football program's social media and video initiatives. As the team's wide receiver coach (2017-18), Booker guided wide receiver Josh Lucas to set the program record for receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,199).

A Memphis, TN native, Booker earned his bachelor's degree in commerce and business from Rhodes College in 2014. Also a standout defensive back and special teams ace with the school, he helped lead the Lynx to the 2013 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Championship. At White Station (TN) HS, he was also part of the 2009 TSSAA Class 6A State Championship team.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets 2026-Present

Defensive Assistant/Nickels Coach 2026

Arizona Cardinals 2021-25

Defensive Quality Control Coach 2023-25

Defensive Assistant 2021-22

Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship 20201

University of Pittsburgh 2019-20

Graduate Assistant 2019-2020

Rhodes College 2014-18

Special Teams Coordinator and Wide Receivers 2018

Wide Receivers 2017-18

Defensive Backs 2015-16

Safeties 2014