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Rocker joins the Titans after spending two seasons at Auburn as the defensive line coach. He brings a combination of success as a player and coach to the Titans defensive staff. As a coach, he helped develop Auburn DT Nick Fairley into a Lombardi Award winner and AP All-American as a part of last season's national title winning team. As a player, Rocker earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame after a spectacular college career at Auburn.
"I really like the way Tracy has worked his way up the coaching ladder after being such a successful player," said Titans head coach Mike Munchak. "He has shown the ability to develop players at all of his stops, which is a testament to him being a great teacher. He is a rare combination of a great player who becomes a great teacher. He has a passion for the game and has shown the ability to relate to his players."
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A 17-year veteran in the college coaching ranks, Rocker spent the last two seasons as Auburn's defensive line coach. |
"This is something that I dreamed about, reaching the top of the line in the football world," said Rocker. "Growing up you dream about playing in the NFL and once I made the transition to the coaching world, this was the ultimate goal. Now it is up to me to prove myself at this level. I realize I have big shoes to fill and have a lot of respect for Coach Washburn and what he got from his players. There is nothing that says you can't follow up a great coach with another great coach and that is what I will work to achieve."
As a player, Rocker was a two-time All American at Auburn and the 1988 Outland and Lombardi Trophy winner. He was a third-round pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1989 NFL Draft and played two seasons before suffering a knee injury. He concluded his career by playing one year for the Orlando Thunder of the World Football League. As a coach, Rocker spent two summers working with NFL teams (Indianapolis, 2001; Tampa Bay, 2006) as a part of the NFL's Minority Internship Program.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Rocker and his wife Lalitha have a son, Kumar.
Rocker replaces Jim Washburn, who left to take over the defensive line at Philadelphia.