Chris Ball
5/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Chris Ball
Secondary
* Third Year at Alabama (Jan. 7, 2003)
A 20-year coaching veteran, Chris Ball begins his third season at the Capstone tutoring the Tide’s secondary. The Alabama secondary became one of the most feared in the country under Ball’s instruction. The 2005 unit, led by three seniors (Roman Harper, Anthony Madison and Charlie Peprah) and a junior (Ramzee Robinson) finished ranked fifth in the nation in both pass defense and pass efficiency defense. Overall, Alabama closed the 2005 season ranked first in scoring defense, second in total defense, fifth in pass and pass efficiency defense and ninth in rushing defense .
Under Ball’s direction, Harper became one of only six players in Alabama history to record 300 career tackles. Harper also was a semi-finalist for the 2005 Thorpe Award. The Tide ended the 2004 season ranked first nationally in pass defense and second nationally in pass efficiency defense. The Tide allowed just 113.1 yards per game passing, and the 92.8 efficiency rating was second in the nation. A 1985 All-America selection and first-team all conference pick at Missouri Western State College, he graduated in 1986. He joined the Missouri Western staff that spring as a student assistant and his coaching career was off the ground. The following season he moved to Northeast Missouri State where he coached the secondary from 1986-87.
Ball then became a graduate assistant for Gerry Faust at Akron where he coached the defensive backs and special teams for two seasons. He then spent the 1989-90 seasons at Washington State, again working with the defensive backs. From 1991-94, Ball was the secondary coach for Skip Foster at Coffeyville Community College and then spent the 1995-96 season as assistant head coach and defensive back coach at Western Oregon State. Ball then became defensive coordinator at Missouri Western State from 1997-98. He then spent one season (1999) at Idaho State where he was defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. In 2001, he coached All-American Lamar Thompson who was the all-time leader in interceptions at Washington State (single season and career). Thompson also holds the Pac-10 record for interceptions in a game (4) against UCLA.
Ball coached a secondary in 2001 that picked off 30 passes which was a school record. That secondary was ranked second in the nation that season. His 2001 secondary was also part of a group that intercepted 60 passes in three years at WSU. Ball also coached All-American and first round draft pick Marcus Trufant.
Chris and his wife, Tandi, have one son, Brennan and a daughter, Abigail.
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THE BALL FILE | |
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Born: |
May 7, 1963 |
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Education: | |
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1986 |
Missouri Western State College |
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Playing Experience: | |
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1983-86 |
Missouri Western State College |
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Coaching Experience: | |
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2003-Present |
Alabama, Secondary |
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2000-02 |
Washington State, Secondary |
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1999 |
Idaho State, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers |
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1997-98 |
Missouri Western State, Defensive Coordinator |
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1995-96 |
Western Oregon State College, Asst. Head Coach/Def. Backs |
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1991-94 |
Coffeyville Community College, Secondary |
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1989-90 |
Washington State University, Cornerbacks |
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1987-88 |
University of Akron, Defensive Backs/Special Teams |
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1986-87 |
Northeast Missouri State, Secondary |
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1986 |
Missouri Western State |
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Bowl Participation | |
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As a coach: 2006 Cotton Bowl, 2004 Music City Bowl, 2003 Rose Bowl, 2001 Sun Bowl | |
