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Todd Bowles was a newcomer to the Cowboys coaching staff in 2005, but he had plenty of previous NFL experience, spending 13 seasons as a player or coach. Bowles was able to translate the knowledge he gained in eight seasons patrolling the secondary into tangible results on the sidelines as a coach as the Cowboys defense improved drastically from their 2004 rankings.
Under his guidance, the club finished the year ranked 11th in the league in pass defense (192.7 passing yards-per-game allowed) and 10th in the league in total defense, allowing 300.9 yards-per-game. A vast improvement from the defense's overall finish in 2004, 21st in pass defense (220.1 passing yards-per-game allowed) and 16th in total defense (330.4 yards-per-game). The defense snatched 15 interceptions on the season, two more than in 2004, and allowed just 18 passing touchdowns, down from the 31 allowed in 2004.
With the Browns in 2004, Bowles oversaw the secondary and helped the group finish with the fifth best pass defense in the league (181.3 passing yards-per-game allowed). Overall, the 2004 defense closed out the year ranked 15th in the NFL, matching their finish from the 2003 season. From 2001-03, Bowles served as the Browns defensive nickel package coach. Cleveland's 13 passing touchdowns allowed in 2003 tied for the fewest allowed in franchise history during a 16-game season (1988 and 1994), and the Browns 2003 defense ranked 15th in the NFL, the club's best overall defensive ranking since 1994. The 2001 Browns led the league and set a team record with 33 interceptions - with the secondary accounting for 28 of the thefts, including 10 by then rookie Anthony Henry, now the Cowboys starting right cornerback.
Prior to joining the Browns, Bowles served as the New York Jets defensive backs coach in 2000, helping the Jets pass defense improve from a 24th ranking in 1999 to sixth in 2000. They also tied for sixth in the league with 21 interceptions.
Bowles served as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for Grambling State University from 1998-99. He made his coaching debut in 1997 as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Morehouse College. Before entering the coaching ranks, Bowles worked in the Green Bay Packers personnel department as a college scout from 1995-96.
Bowles spent eight years as a defensive back in the NFL with the Washington Redskins (1986-90, 1992-93) and San Francisco 49ers (1991). He played on the Redskins Super Bowl XXII championship team. Bowles saw action in 117 games, starting 65 consecutive games at safety at one point during his career, and totaled 570 tackles, 15 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Bowles and his wife, Jill, have a daughter, Sydni (4/20/93) and sons, Todd Jr. (11/22/02) and Troy (3/29/05). | 