Dexter Coakley (born October 20, 1972 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) is an American football linebacker currently playing for the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State. While at Appalachian State, he won the first two Buck Buchanan Awards, given each year to the nation's top Division 1-AA defensive player. He was a critical part of the defense on the 1995 Mountaineer team that finished the season unbeaten and untied. He was also named All-American for three seasons, as well as Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year for two seasons. (Appalachian State University Football Media Guide 2005, p. 153) Coakley has received numerous accolades. He has made the Pro Bowl multiple times 1999, 2001 and 2003. Also in 1999 was an All-Pro.
Dexter Coakley's career may be at an end due to a catastrophic injury he suffered as a linebacker for the Rams in the 2005 football season.
