Chris Harris enters his seventh season coaching in the NFL and his first as Washington's defensive backs coach in 2020.
He served in a variety of coaching roles with the Los Angeles Chargers (2016-19) and Chicago Bears (2013-14).
A former NFL safety, Harris joined the Chargers in 2016 as assistant secondary coach. In 2018, Harris helped develop first-round pick Derwin James into an All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl starter at safety in his first season. James became the first rookie in Chargers franchise history to record 100 or more tackles. On top of the rise of the rookie, second year defensive back Desmond King earned second-team All-Pro accolades on the strength of three interceptions, including a pick-six.
In 2017, the Chargers ranked fourth in the league with 18 total interceptions with 14 coming from defensive backs. The team did not allow a 100-yard receiver until Week 17. Individually, cornerback Casey Hayward was named to his second-straight Pro Bowl after ranking tied for second in the NFL with 22 passes defensed. He also added four interceptions.
In Harris' first season with the Chargers in 2016, he helped guide a group that led the NFL with 18 interceptions as a team, while Hayward earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career after leading the NFL with a career-high seven picks. The Chargers had 11 different players record at least one interception in 2016, most in the NFL.
Harris began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Bears, working primarily with the team's safeties.
An eight-year NFL pro, Harris was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears (181st overall) in 2005. He played four seasons with the Bears over two separate stints (2005-06 and 2010-11). Harris was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 2010 and was named one of the Bears Brian Piccolo Award winners as a rookie in 2005.
Besides Chicago, Harris also played for the Carolina Panthers (2007-09), Detroit Lions (2011) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2012), totaling 422 tackles, 16 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and 37 passes defended. He appeared in 101 career games and made 88 starts.
In 2007, Harris racked up a franchise-record eight forced fumbles for the Panthers. Harris started seven playoff games during his career, including Super Bowl XLI for the Bears. During that game, he famously intercepted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Harris' career postseason statistics include 48 tackles, an interception and two forced fumbles.
Harris attended college at Louisiana-Monroe. He was a four-year starter from 2001–04 after redshirting his 2000 season.
2020: Defensive Backs, Washington Football Team
2016-19: Assistant Defensive Backs, Los Angeles Chargers
2013-14: Defensive Quality Control, Chicago Bears
2012: Defensive Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
2011: Defensive Back, Detroit Lions
2010-11: Defensive Back, Chicago Bears
2007-09: Defensive Back, Carolina Panthers
2005-06: Defensive Back, Chicago Bears
2001-04: Defensive Back, Louisiana-Monroe
