Countdown to the season opener: Day 58 Dexter Coakley

We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 58) with some Cowboys history

We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.

Today – number 58.

---

Dexter Coakley

Born: October 20, 1972. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Position: Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys: 1997-2004
Awards: Pro Bowl– 1999, 2001, 2003

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Dexter Coakley played linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys from 1997 to 2004, after being selected in the third round out of Appalachian State. Undersized for his position at just 5’10”, Coakley made up for it with exceptional speed, instincts, and amazing tackling ability. He quickly became a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense, earning three Pro Bowl selections and led the team in tackles two different seasons. Known for his range and ability to cover tight ends and running backs, Coakley was a consistent and durable playmaker throughout his time in Dallas.

Best known for:
Coakley was best known for being a fast, instinctive linebacker who defied size expectations and became a Pro Bowl-caliber defender and tackling machine for the Cowboys’ defense in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Lesser known fact:
Coakley is one of only two defensive players from Appalachian State University ever selected to the Pro Bowl, proving small-school players can become NFL stars.