.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Football Introduces Leon Wright As Defensive Backfield Assistant Coach
February 24, 2015 | Football
Leon Wright, a former All-ACC cornerback at Duke whose college coaching career has included stints at both Duke and LSU, has been named assistant defensive backfield coach at Princeton, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Bob Surace.
Wright replaces Stephen Thomas, who was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive quality control coach.
“We are excited about the addition of Leon Wright to our coaching staff,” Surace said. “After his terrific playing career at Duke, he has done a tremendous job coaching at Duke and LSU. "
Wright began his coaching career as a quality control coach for two years under Duke defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, the former head coach at Cornell. He then spent two years on the LSU defensive staff as a graduate assistant. He worked with the defensive staff, and primarily with the secondary, during his time in Baton Rouge.
“I'm very grateful for the opportunity to come to Princeton University,” Wright said. “I know that coaching football here will be a tremendous experience. I already feel very welcomed and I look forward to working with everyone. I'm proud to be a Tiger.”
A four-year letterwinner at Duke, Wright started in 30 of the 41 games he played and compiled career totals of 155 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 20 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. In addition, he returned 42 punts for 217 yards and seven kickoffs for 136 yards.
Wright earned All-ACC accolades after recording 58 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, five interceptions and eight pass breakups during his senior season. On September 12, 2009, he clinched Duke's 35-19 come-from-behind win over Army with two interception returns for touchdowns just 16 seconds apart late in the fourth period. The returns covered 51 and 33 yards as he became the first player in school history to score two touchdowns via interception returns in a single game and earned ACC Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
Wright, who signed a free agent contract with the NFL's New York Giants following his career as a Blue Devil, finished with three total defensive touchdowns, adding a 24-yard fumble return for a score against Georgia Tech in 2007. He closed his career ranking among Duke's all-time leaders in career interception returns for touchdowns, interceptions, interception return yardage and pass breakups.
Wright graduated from Duke in 2010 with a degree in sociology.