Associated Press (1996) Autry Denson ran for 4,318 yards and 43 touchdowns at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Bucs in the seventh round in 1999.
It was announced yesterday that former Notre Dame running back and Miami (Ohio) running back coach, Autry Denson, would be taking over as the USF running back coach for the Bulls. Matt Staton from The USF Matt Blog wanted to learn more about Denson and the type of player he was and type of person he is. He reached out to me last week to get a deeper perspective on Denson. Here are some perspectives on Denson I was able to gather from former Notre Dame players and teammates.
Autry Lamont Denson played high school football at Nova High School in Davie, Florida. He played running back at the University of Notre Dame, rushing for 4,449 yards and 46 touchdowns. In 1997, he ran for 1,268 yards on 264 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. In 1998, he ran for 1,306 yards on 277 carries and scored 18 touchdowns. Denson was also the MVP of the Gator Bowl, played in 1999 against Georgia Tech. Denson was selected with the 233rd pick of the 1999 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From 1999 to 2002 he played for Miami, Chicago and Indianapolis; and in 2004 he played in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes. In his first two years (1999-2000) with Miami he ran for 206 yards on 59 carries and also caught 18 passes for 133 yards. In 2000 he returned 20 kicks for 495 yards. Denson spent the 2001 season with the Chicago Bears where he spent most of the season on special teams, returning 23 kicks for 534 yards. During the 2004 season with the Alouettes he rushed for 772 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
After spending some time away from the game, Denson returned to football in April of 2010 taking a head coaching football job at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida. Denson is currently the running backs coach at Miami (Ohio) University.
In speaking with a few of Autry’s former teammates, they just can’t say enough wonderful things about the man who Denson was and is today.
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“I grew up about 5 blocks from Autry Denson. You would think because we grew up so close to one another and we both loved football that we would have been the best of friends, but nothing could have been further from the truth. We were each others nemesis and perpetual rivals because we never played on the same team. Going to rival high schools only intensified our competition. Our relationship did a complete 180 when we took our Notre Dame recruiting trips the same weekend. We were on the same flights, hung out together the entire time and leaned on one another when making the ultimate decision to attend Notre Dame. Our petty conflict was so easy to overcome because we never really disliked each other. In fact, we both really admired the other person’s work ethic, leadership and will to win. The problem was that we were both so darned determined that our clash was inevitable considering we were always on different teams.”
“Notre Dame gave us the opportunity to finally be on the same page and unite two immovable forces of competitiveness. We worked out together every day in that summer before going off to Notre Dame. The workouts were legendary because neither of us would flinch or show any sign of weakness. Autry set a standard for hard work each day that we worked out and tried to push the bar even higher the next day. Notre Dame was the place that we embraced our friendship even more and he is family to me. He is still one of the hardest working people I have ever met. We still challenge each other with random phone calls and text messages about working harder, achieving more and giving back. Luckily for us, we turned our childhood rivalry into a lifelong friendship. Because Autry is going to compete his butt off and expect everyone around him to do the same, the USF coaching staff just got an amazing shot of adrenaline who we affectionately refer to as AD!” ~Bobby Brown, former Notre Dame wide receiver
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“Autry is a living example of a Notre Dame man. From the day I met him on campus his freshman year until today he has shown his commitment to excellence. Tough minded, strong-willed, kind and genuine have always been extremely noticeable traits he’s shared with his immediate audience. Let me also mention classy. From the days he (as a RB) and I (a LB) battled on the practice fields in South Bend or NFL training camp (Dolphins vs Bucs I’m Orlando) he’s never carried the battle outside the white lines. He has a beautiful family and God has big plans for a man like this. The football coaching world will be grateful to have crossed his path.” ~Former Notre Dame linebacker, Kinnon (Tate) Tatum II
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“Autry grew up in South Florida and after graduating from high school he attended the University of Notre Dame where he obtained a business degree while playing football. Autry holds the all time leading rushing record as well as many other rushing records. Autry was named MVP of the 1999 Gator Bowl and was team MVP for the years 1997, 1998, and 1999. After graduation, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round and went on to play with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears.”
“After his NFL career he took a managerial position with Merrill Lynch but wanted to stay connected to coaching so he volunteered his time before deciding to give coaching his full attention. Autry participates in charitable events such as the Shane Walton Foundation celebrity golf tournament. A family man, he lives with his wife Elaine and their four children Ashley, Autry III, Elijah and Asia.”
“Above is what you will find on a google search about Autry Denson but Autry is much more than accolades and coaching. Autry is a man of integrity who loves and lives life to the fullest.”
“He was the ultimate student athlete and everyday he focused on being excellent. For Autry, being excellent was not just for the gridiron but also in the classroom. He was a role model to so many especially the young running backs who secretly idolized him. Autry showed love for each and person but a true testament to his character was the loved he was showed by the student body. ND is a special place and for a kid to leave the sunny state of Florida and transition so well it only means that ND was the place for him. He dazzled us with his cutting ability, his vision and powerful running but we as the ND family know it was his great personality and down to earth spirit that made us love Autry Denson.” ~Former Notre Dame linebacker, Kory Minor
Congratulations, Autry!
Her Loyal ... Daughter
Lisa Kelly is a multidimensional marketing professional. She has over two decades of marketing experience and earned a bachelor of business administration and marketing from the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1993 ... Siegfried Hall!). She is a Digital Publishing Manager by day and by night is writing her third book, a continuation of "Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became" and its sequel "The Men We Became: MORE Echoes From the End Zone." In 2012, Lisa was crowned the "Biggest Fan of the Big East" in a blogging and social media contest, representing Notre Dame.
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