Longtime SEC defensive coordinator John Chavis is in his third season as Texas A&M’s associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Chavis, also known as “Chief,” has a reputation for aggressive play, a commitment to physicality and a history of defenses that play with a certain swagger. Chavis coaches and recruits by the principle that there’s no substitute for speed, no matter the position on the field.
| THE CHAVIS FILE | ||
| Hometown | Dillon, S.C. | |
| Birthdate | Oct. 16, 1956 | |
| Wife | Diane Crisp Davis | |
| Children | Sons - John, Jason | |
| EDUCATION | ||
| College: University of Tennessee (1979) | ||
| COACHING EXPERIENCE | ||
| 2015- | Texas A&M (Associate Head Coach/DC/LB) | |
| 2009-14 | LSU (DC/LB) | |
| 1989-2008 | Tennessee (DL/LB, 1989-94; DC/LB, 1995-2008) | |
| 1986-88 | Alabama A&M (DC) | |
| 1984-85 | Alabama State (DC) | |
| 1980-83 | Alabama A&M (DL) | |
| 1979 | Tennessee (graduate assistant) | |
| POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE | ||
| 2016 | Texas A&M | Texas |
| 2015 | Texas A&M | Music City |
| 2014 | LSU | Music City |
| 2013 | LSU | Outback |
| 2012 | LSU | Chick-fil-A |
| 2011 | LSU | BCS |
| 2010 | LSU | Cotton |
| 2009 | LSU | Capital One |
| 2007 | Tennessee | Outback |
| 2006 | Tennessee | Outback |
| 2004 | Tennessee | Cotton |
| 2004 | Oklahoma | Sugar |
| 2003 | Tennessee | Peach |
| 2002 | Tennessee | Peach |
| 2001 | Tennessee | Florida Citrus |
| 2000 | Tennessee | Cotton |
| 1999 | Tennessee | Fiesta |
| 1998 | Tennessee | Fiesta |
| 1997 | Tennessee | Orange |
| 1996 | Tennessee | Florida Citrus |
| 1995 | Tennessee | Florida Citrus |
| 1994 | Tennessee | Gator |
| 1993 | Tennessee | Florida Citrus |
| 1992 | Tennessee | Hall of Fame |
| 1991 | Tennessee | Fiesta |
| 1990 | Tennessee | Sugar |
| 1989 | Tennessee | Cotton |
| 1979 | Tennessee | Bluebonnet |
Chavis’ aggressive defensive style has been evident as the Aggies have become one of the nation’s leaders in sacks, tackles for losses and forced fumbles. Texas A&M were ranked in the top 25 in all three categories in 2015 and 2016, and were ranked in the top 10 nationally in TFLs both years. Texas A&M has produced 111.0 TFLs in each season under Chavis, and the Aggies have made five or more tackles in the opponent backfield 23 times in 26 games.
During 20 seasons of prior experience as a defensive coordinator in the SEC at Tennessee and LSU, Chavis was a part of 18 bowl games, 11 10-win seasons and appeared in the SEC Championship Game six times.
The 2011 Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year, Chavis came to Texas A&M after six highly successful seasons at LSU that saw the Tiger defense finish in the top 12 nationally in total defense four times (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014). During Chavis’ tenure in Baton Rouge, the Tigers forced 152 turnovers and accounted for 14 touchdowns and two safeties. In 79 total games, Chavis’ defenses held the opponent under 100 rushing yards 32 times.
From 2009-13, Chavis saw 21 players that he’s coached selected in the NFL Draft, including five in the first round, while also producing seven All-Americans and nine All-SEC performers. From 2011-13, six of the nine draft-eligible players who have started on the defensive line for the Tigers were picked in the NFL Draft. In 2013, LSU became the first school in NFL Draft history to have six defensive players selected during the first three rounds. LSU finished with eight defenders selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, including first-rounders in Barkevious Mingo and Eric Reid.
Prior to his arrival in Baton Rouge in 2009, Chavis spent 14 seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tennessee, helping the Vols to win at least nine games 11 times. The Vols reached the 10-win mark eight times during his time as defensive coordinator, which included a school-record 13 victories during their national championship season in 1998. The Vols had 11 wins 1995, 1997, and 2001 and they won 10 games in 1996, 2003, 2004, and 2007.
With Chavis as the defensive coordinator, UT made five appearances in the SEC Championship Game, winning the league title in 1997 and 1998, and they were invited to three BCS bowl games.
Other coaching accomplishments for Chavis at Tennessee include coaching four linebackers to first-team All-America honors in Leonard Little (1997), Al Wilson (1998), Raynoch Thompson (1999) and Kevin Burnett (2004). All four of those players were selected in the NFL Draft with Wilson being a first round selection. Chavis also coached Jerod Mayo, who was the 10th player taken in the 2008 NFL Draft and was named the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Off the field, Chavis is an advocate for sickle cell anemia and he annually hosts a golf tournament to raise money and awareness about the disease.
Chavis, who is originally from Dillon, S.C., is married to the former Diane Crisp. They are the parents of sons, John and Jason.
(08-2017)