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William Dexter Coakley (born October 20, 1972 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) is an American football linebacker currently a free agent of the NFL. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State. While at Appalachian State, he won the first two Buck Buchanan Awards, given each year to the nation's top Division I-AA defensive player. He was a critical part of the defense on the 1995 Mountaineer team that finished the season unbeaten and untied. He was also named All-American for three seasons, as well as Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year for two seasons. (Appalachian State University Football Media Guide 2005, p. 153)
Coakley has received numerous accolades. Breaking the alltime solo tackles and sacks records as an Appalachian State Mountaineer, where his (college) jersey (and number) is currently retired. He has made the Pro Bowl three times 1999, 2001 and 2003. Coakley also received the NFL's "All Iron MVP" award during the 1999 Thanksgiving day game when he had played for the Cowboys. He dominated most of the game and even knocked (tackled) his opponents second string running back into an injury that lead to his immediate retirement. Coakley was released by the Cowboys to clear up cap space, so that they could sign their draft picks for the following draft. He was signed soon after his release by the St.Louis Rams for nearly double the salary he was getting in Dallas, with a signing bonus of 14 million. In his last few games as a Ram he broke his ankle during a game (and continued to finish the play and even walk to the sideline on his own) however, the ankle injury might have been a sign that he is slowly going past his prime. And On February 28, 2007 the Rams released Dexter Coakley.
