Mike Priefer was named the Browns special teams coordinator on Jan. 14, 2019. This marks his 13th season as an NFL special teams coordinator. He has held the same role with the Chiefs (2006-08), Broncos (2009-10) and Vikings (2011-18). In 2012, Priefer was named Special Teams Coach of the Year as voted on by his NFL counterparts.
Since joining the NFL in 2002, Priefer has helped David Tyree (ST), Chris Hanson (P), Blair Walsh (K) and Cordarrelle Patterson (RS) earn Pro Bowl nods. Patterson was also named first team All-Pro multiple times, while Walsh earned the honor once. Priefer has seen his units account for 26 scores (12 kickoff return, nine punt return, three blocked punts, one botched fake field goal and one safety). He has also helped his squads block 23 kicks (nine punts, nine field goals and five PATs).
During his tenure with the Vikings, Priefer's unit led the NFL with 14 special teams touchdowns. The team scored on seven kickoff returns, five punt returns and two touchdowns off blocked punts. Minnesota led the NFL in kickoff return average in 2015 (28.3) and 2016 (27.3) and finished second in 2011 (27.2). His units also led the league in punt return average in 2013 (15.2) and finished second in the league in total kick return yards in 2014 (1,981) and 2015 (1,540). In 2014, the Vikings became the fifth team in NFL history to block two punts and return both for touchdowns in the same game.
With Priefer, Cordarrelle Patterson led the league in 2013 kickoff return average (32.4) and kickoff return touchdowns (two). In 2015, he led the NFL in kickoff return average (31.8) and kickoff return touchdowns (two). In 2016, Patterson was first in kickoff return average (31.7). Marcus Sherels also routinely ranked among the league leaders and tied for the NFL lead in punt return touchdowns (two) in 2016. K Blair Walsh set numerous team and NFL records, including connecting on 12 consecutive field goals of 50-plus yards.
During his time with the Broncos, Eddie Royal became the 11th player in NFL history to have both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown in the same game (at San Diego, 10/19/09).
Before joining the Broncos, Priefer coordinated Kansas City's special teams from 2006-08 following stints as an assistant special teams coach with the New York Giants (2003-05) and Jacksonville (2002).
From 1994-2001, Priefer coached special teams at the collegiate level, working for Navy (1994-96), Youngstown State (1997-98), VMI (1999) and Northern Illinois (2000-01).
At Northern Illinois, Priefer helped Justin McCareins earn MAC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2000.
At Youngstown State, Priefer spent two years under head coach Jim Tressel and helped the team capture the Division I-AA National Championship in 1997.
Priefer began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Navy in 1994, instructing special teams that season before coaching linebackers and defensive line from 1995-96. He also coached special teams and served as defensive coordinator for Navy's junior varsity team from 1995-96.
A QB and WR on Navy's junior varsity and lightweight teams from 1985-88, Priefer flew helicopters as a Naval officer for five years (1989-94) after his graduation. His work included tours of duty on USS America in the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea.
Priefer earned a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy from 1989 and received a master's degree from Maryland in 1997.
Priefer was born in Cleveland and graduated from high school in Green Bay, Wis.
His father, Chuck, was a longtime college and NFL coach, including a special teams coach with the Chargers and Lions.
He is married, Debbie, and has four children, Samantha, Michael Jr., Wilson and Katie.
Mike Priefer's Coaching Background:
1994-96 U.S. Naval Academy, graduate assistant
1997-98 Youngstown State University, offensive tackles/tight ends/special teams
1999 Virginia Military Institute, inside linebackers/special teams
2000-01 Northern Illinois University, defensive tackles/special teams
2002 Jacksonville Jaguars, assistant special teams
2003-05 New York Giants, assistant special teams
2006-08 Kansas City Chiefs, special teams coordinator
2009-10 Denver Broncos, special teams coordinator
2011-18 Minnesota Vikings, special teams coordinator
2019- Cleveland Browns, special teams coordinator
