Steve Gregory

Steve Gregory is in his first season as defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt and second with Commodores football. He served as associate defensive coordinator and secondary coach in his first season on Clark Lea’s staff before being promoted to coordinator in 2025.

In Gregory’s first season the Commodore defense took several steps forward while helping Vanderbilt post a winning record and win a bowl game for the first time in over a decade. Along the way, Vandy had its best start since 1982 (6-2), beat the nation’s top-ranked team for the first time in school history and defeated Alabama and Auburn in the same season for the first time since 1955.

The defense helped Vanderbilt rank 17th nationally and second in the SEC in turnover margin while improving in nearly every statistical category from a season ago. The scoring defense went from 126th in FBS in 2023 to 50th in 2024, while rushing defense jumped from 104th to 52nd. Vanderbilt held consecutive opponents (Virginia Tech and Alcorn State) to under 100 rushing yards for the first time since 2017 and in a 17-7 win at Auburn to clinch bowl eligibility, the seven points scored by the Tigers were the fewest by an SEC opponent since 2015.

Before Vandy, the Syracuse product most recently spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2021-22), coaching safeties his second year with the franchise. He also spent three seasons on staff with the Detroit Lions, two years as a defensive assistant and one as defensive backs coach. He began his coaching career as a quality control assistant at his alma mater in 2015, Lea’s final year as an assistant coach for the Orange.

Gregory was a three-year starter at Syracuse, earning four letters. At the conclusion of his career, he ranked third in SU history with 40 passes defended and his five blocked field goals were second-most in school history. As a senior, he started all 11 games, made 60 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He was named an All-BIG EAST Freshman Team pick and a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News in 2002, leading all FBS freshmen with 21 passes defended.

He signed with the then-San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent and went on to appear in 85 games over six seasons with the Chargers. He then spent three seasons with the New England Patriots. In 2012, he was one of three Patriots to earn Player of the Game honors during New England’s Thanksgiving Night win over the Jets thanks to an interception and two fumble recoveries. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, but opted to retire during camp.

The Brooklyn, New York, native graduated from Syracuse with a dual major in finance and marketing management. He and his wife, Rosanne, have two daughters — Aviana and Vivienne.