Brett Maxie

Brett Maxie enters his second year on Vanderbilt’s defensive staff. He will coach cornerbacks in 2015 after serving as secondary coach during his first year.

In 2014, Maxie guided a youthful Commodore secondary that lacked a single returning starters. The unit displayed improved chemistry with each game under Maxie’s direction, with cornerbacks Torren McGaster and Taurean Ferguson, and safeties Oren Burks, Andrew Williamson and Jahmel McIntosh developing into solid starters.

Maxie joined Vanderbilt after serving two years in a similar role with the crosstown Tennessee Titans and 16 seasons in the NFL. Maxie’s role at Vanderbilt his first in the collegiate coaching ranks.

In 2013, Maxie coached an improved Titans’ defensive backfield paced by cornerback Alterraun Verner, who earned All-Pro recognition for the first time after recording a career-high five interceptions. In 2012, another young Titan cornerback, Jason McCourty, posted four interceptions as the Tennessee defense ranked seventh in the NFL with 19 interceptions.

Maxie joined Tennessee after four seasons as secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys, working for noted defensive coordinators Wade Phillips and Rob Ryan. In 2008, Maxie’s secondary helped the Cowboys rank fifth in the NFL in passing defense. One of Maxie’s leading players in Dallas, cornerback Terence Newman, totaled 16 interceptions during the four-year tenure in Dallas. Another cornerback, Mike Jenkins, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009.

In 2007, Maxie mentored the Miami Dolphins secondary under coordinator noted Dom Capers. The Dolphins produced the NFL’s fourth-best passing defense that year, limiting opponents to 188.7 passing yards per game.

During his tenure in Atlanta, Maxie helped cornerback DeAngelo Hall develop into a two-time Pro Bowler. The 2004 season saw the Falcons secondary register a club-record five touchdowns, including four via interception returns.

Prior to working in Atlanta, Maxie worked with the San Francisco 49ers from 1999 to 2003, including three seasons as the assistant secondary coach and the final two years as secondary coach. From 2001-03, Maxie’s 49er secondary totaled 66 interceptions – the third highest number in the NFL during that time.

His first NFL coaching job came in 1998 as a quality control coach with the Carolina Panthers.



Maxie started a distinguished 13-year NFL playing career as an undrafted safety from Texas Southern, signing with the New Orleans Saints. He played in 153 NFL games, earning 104 starts, and recording 23 interceptions and three touchdowns. Maxie played nine seasons (1985-93) with the Saints, one season in Atlanta (1994), two years in Carolina (1995-96) and finished his career with one year in San Francisco (1997).



Maxie and his wife, Angela, have two sons, Brett and Adam, and two daughters, Maya and Olivia. At Texas Southern, he earned his degree in Biology and was a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.


Maxie’s Coaching Career:
2015 – Vanderbilt – Cornerbacks
2014 – Vanderbilt – Secondary
2012-13 – Tennessee Titans (NFL) – Secondary

2008-11 – Dallas Cowboys (NFL) – Secondary
2007 – Miami Dolphins (NFL) – Secondary

2004-06 – Atlanta Falcons
 (NFL) – Defensive Backs
2002-03 – San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Secondary
1999-01 – San Francisco (NFL) – Assistant Secondary
1998 – Carolina Panthers (NFL) – Quality Control/Defensive Backs