NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans added Sigismondo "Louie" Cioffi (pronounced Lou-ee CHOE-fee) as defensive backs coach.
Cioffi has 18 years of NFL coaching experience. Last year, he was the defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. Under his guidance, cornerback Joe Haden earned his first Pro Bowl selection as he posted four interceptions. As a secondary group, the Browns ranked eighth in passing yards allowed and third in the NFL in fewest yards per passing attempt (6.15). Before joining the Browns, he spent two seasons (2011-12) with the Arizona Cardinals as the defensive backs coach.
"Louie coached with me in Arizona and did an outstanding job," said Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt. "He has a background with Marvin Lewis, who has a great defensive mind and been the leader of some of the league's best defenses. In Arizona, he did really good work with Patrick Peterson and the rest of the db's, and then went on to Cleveland to bring out the best in Joe Haden."
Cioffi spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals. The 2012 defense led the NFL in passer rating allowed (71.2), ranked second in interceptions (22) and fifth in passing yards allowed. Cornerback Patrick Peterson tallied seven interceptions and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
"I am very excited to be reunited with Coach Whisenhunt and to get to work building a championship team," said Cioffi. "I think he (Whisenhunt) is an outstanding communicator, a great motivator and terrific at attacking opposing offenses. As a db coach, I see myself as a teacher. I want to make sure players understand the expectations, hold them accountable and put them into positions to succeed. We will be fundamentally sound, play physical and with good technique."
Prior to joining the Cardinals, Cioffi spent 14 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He logged six seasons (1997-2002) as a defensive assistant and eight years (2003-10) as assistant defensive backs coach for the Bengals. During his tenure with the defensive backs, the Bengals collected 150 interceptions, the fifth most in the NFL during that eight-year span.
Cioffi attended SUNY-Stony Brook and began his coaching career in 1993 as a staff assistant with the New York Jets. After two seasons at the Jets, he coached wide receivers for C.W. Post University.
