Marcus Dixon enters his second season as defensive line coach with the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was hired by the club on Feb. 17, 2022.
Dixon, who has five years of cumulative coaching experience, joined the Broncos prior to the start of the 2022 campaign. Prior to Denver, Dixon spent one year with the L.A. Rams (2021) as assistant defensive line coach and three (2017-19) with his alma mater, Hampton University.
In his first season as a lead position coach in 2022, Dixon oversaw a defensive line that helped the team rank seventh in total defense (320.0 ypg) and 10th in rushing defense (109.8 ypg). The Broncos' defense totaled 36 sacks last season, with 15.5 coming from members of the defensive line.
Dixon was instrumental in the success of defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, who collected a team-leading and career-high-tying 6.5 sacks in just 13 games played. Jones also recorded a career-high 47 tackles (24 solo) and tied his career high with nine tackles for loss.
In addition to Dre'Mont Jones, defensive tackle D.J. Jones and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams also played integral roles among the defensive line. D.J. Jones registered a career-high six passes defensed—one shy of tying the Broncos' single-season record by a defensive tackle—while Williams posted career bests in sacks (4.5) and quarterback hits (8) while tying his single-season career highs in passes defensed (3) and tackles for loss (4).
During his first NFL season in 2021, Dixon was part of a Rams coaching staff that helped the team total the sixth-best rushing defense in the league, allowing 103.2 rushing yards per game. The defense accumulated the NFL's third-highest sack total (50) and ranked second in sack yards (367).
After helping the team notch a 12-5 record in 2021, the Rams' defensive line contributed to the team ranking first in rushing yards per game (60.3) and sacks (12) during the 2022 NFL playoffs. In Super Bowl LVI, the Rams collected seven sacks (43 yds.)—including three by the defensive line—en route to a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dixon's time with the Rams was highlighted by coaching defensive tackle Aaron Donald to consecutive Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL teams along with back-to-back All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. Dixon worked with Donald coming off of winning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020.
Prior to the Rams, Dixon coached three years (2017-19) at Hampton University, where he was a four-year starter as a player. He worked as director of player development for all three seasons while serving as defensive ends coach/recruiting coordinator (2019) and defensive line coach (2017-18).
As a player, Dixon logged three seasons with the N.Y. Jets from 2010-12 after originally entering the NFL with the Cowboys in 2008. He played 22 career games, recording 21 tackles (15 solo), 2.5 sacks (14 yds.), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
A native of Rome, Ga., Dixon is married to wife, Tesa (pronounced: TEE-sa), and the couple has two children Madylin and Rhylee. He was born on Sept. 16, 1984.
Assistant Defensive Line 2021
Defensive Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 2019
Defensive Line/Dir. of Player Development 2017-18
