Defensive Line Coach
NFL Experience: 10
Years with Buccaneers: 1
Robert Nunn enters his first season in Tampa Bay as defensive line coach and his 10th season in the NFL after spending the past four seasons (2005-2008) coaching the defensive tackles for the Green Bay Packers. Nunn will work alongside Buccaneers defensive line coach Todd Wash in the instruction of the Buccaneers front four.In 2008, Nunn continued to oversee a deep and talented rotation on the interior of the Packers defensive line. Two of Nunn’s pupils, DT Johnny Jolly and DT Ryan Pickett, ranked in the top five in tackles among Green Bay defenders last season as Jolly set a new career high with 82 stops. Pickett, who joined the Packers as a free agent acquisition in 2006, thrived under Nunn as he tallied 236 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 13 passes defensed the past three seasons. Nunn’s guidance also contributed to the emergence of DT Corey Williams in 2006, as the then third-year pro turned in his best season with 47 tackles and seven sacks.
In 2005, Nunn helped elevate the Packers’ defense to a level of success it hadn’t enjoyed since 1998. Taking essentially the same personnel from 2004, when the club finished 25th overall defensively, Nunn assisted in anchoring a defensive unit that improved to seventh in the NFL. Under Nunn’s direction, DT Grady Jackson started all 16 games for only the second time as a pro and responded with career bests in tackles (72) and passes defensed (four).
A 21-year coaching veteran, Nunn broke into the NFL as a defensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2000, working closely with current Buccaneers defensive coordinator Jim Bates for four of the next five seasons (2000-2002, 2004). Promoted in 2001 to assistant defensive line/quality control coach, he held that role for two years (2001-2002), during which time he worked with Pro Bowler Jason Taylor. He also spent the 2004 season with the Dolphins as a special assistant, beginning in August with a variety of off-the-field projects, and then assisting with the linebackers after the club relieved its head coach with seven games left in the season.
In 2003, Nunn headed up the Washington Redskins’ defensive line and had the opportunity to coach DE Bruce Smith in the year the future Hall of Famer broke the late Reggie White’s all-time NFL sacks record. Nunn also tutored veteran standouts Renaldo Wynn and Regan Upshaw.
Nunn’s 12-year college coaching experience was highlighted by nine years at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia. After one season as defensive coordinator, the school promoted him to head coach and athletic director in 1992. In his eight seasons holding that position, Nunn posted an impressive 66-19 record.
He launched his coaching career at Northeastern Oklahoma in 1988, heading up the defensive line. He then tutored defensive ends at the University of Tennessee for two seasons (1989-1990).
A four-year letterman (1984-1987) as a linebacker at Oklahoma State, Nunn served as team captain in 1987. He earned a B.S. in secondary education from the school in 1988.
Nunn and his wife Karen have five children: one daughter, Josie, 12, and four sons, Noah, 7, Jacob, 4, Nathan, 3 and Johnny, 1.
NUNN AT A GLANCE
- 1984-87Oklahoma State, player
- 1988Northeastern Oklahoma, Defensive Line
- 1989-1990University of Tennessee, Defensive Ends
- 1991Georgia Military College, Defensive Coordinator
- 1992-99Georgia Military College, Head Coach
- 2000Miami Dolphins, Defensive Assistant
- 2001-02Miami Dolphins, Asst. Def. Line/Quality Control
- 2003Washington Redskins, Defensive Line
- 2004Miami Dolphins, Special Assistant
- 2005-08Green Bay Packers, Defensive Tackles
- 2009Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Line
