HOUSTON – The Texans added eight coaches under the annual Bill Walsh NFL diversity coaching fellowship.
Since its inception in 1987, the fellowship is intended to boost the number of full-time NFL minority coaches.
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The Texans’ group includes University of Houston secondary coach Zac Etheridge and former NFL linebacker Ernie Sims.
The Texans’ coaching fellows:
Christopher Browne
Offensive Line
Alabama State – Offensive Line
Courtney Coard
Defensive Line
North Carolina Central Univ. – Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line
Zac Etheridge
Defensive Backs
Houston – Secondary
Genevieve Humphrey
Strength and Conditioning
Georgia Southern – Assistant Strength and Conditioning
KD Humphries
Quarterbacks
Samford – Quarterbacks and Running Backs
Arthur Lockett
Running Backs
Worthing High School – Running Backs
Ernie Sims
Linebackers
Florida State – Defensive Analyst
Juan Soto
Wide Receivers
Wagner – Pass Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers
Browne is entering his first season as offensive line coach at Alabama State and his second season participating in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity program after serving as a fellow on the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff in 2023. Prior to his role at Alabama State, Browne spent one season (2023) as an offensive analyst at Iowa, two seasons (2020-21) coaching the offensive line at Southern University and one season (2018) as a graduate assistant at Louisiana Tech. Browne got his start in coaching in 2014 and brings 11 years of college coaching experience to the Texans staff. The Cleveland native was a four-year starter and two-time FCS All-American left tackle at Southern University.
Coard enters his third season as defensive coordinator/defensive line at North Carolina Central University. He brings 17 years of college coaching experience to the Texans staff, including seven years as a defensive coordinator. A four-year starter on NCCU’s defensive front, Coard earned CIAA All-Rookie Team honors (2004) and played on two CIAA championship teams (2005, 2006), including a Black college national title in 2006.
Etheridge is entering his first season as the secondary coach at Houston and his second overall stint with the school after serving as their cornerbacks coach from 2019-20. Prior to his current position, he spent three seasons (2021-24) as the secondary/associate head coach at his alma mater, Auburn. In 2022, Etheridge served as a coaching fellow on the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff. He brings 13 years of collegiate coaching experience and four years of college playing experience to the Texans staff. A four-year (2006-10) starter at Auburn, Etheridge played in 38 games, recording 186 tackles, 14 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Etheridge served as a team captain for the Tigers’ 2010 BCS Championship team before signing with the Oakland Raiders.
Humphrey enters her first season as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Southern. Prior to her current position, she spent two years (2022-23) at Tyndall Air Force Base as their strength and conditioning coach, two years (2021-22) at University of Tennessee as a strength and conditioning intern and two years (2019-21) as an assistant strength and conditioning coach (Olympic Sports) at Pacific. A native of Muskogee, Okla., Humphrey graduated with a Bachelor’s in health and exercise science from Oklahoma State University. Following graduation, she achieved her NSCA-CSCS, a Master’s in health, exercise and sports science.
Humphries is entering his fourth season as quarterbacks and running backs coach at Samford. Humphries previously spent two seasons (2017-18) as the running backs coach at Murray State. Prior to coaching, Humphries played quarterback at Murray State for five seasons (2012-16) and completed 940 passes for 10,440 yards and 73 touchdowns. Humphries also spent one season (2018) with the AAFL’s Birmingham Iron.
Lockett enters his third season as running backs coach at Worthing High School. Prior to his current position, Lockett spent four seasons (2017-20) as running backs and defensive backs coach at Jack Yates High School. Lockett played defensive back at Prairie View A&M for five seasons (2013-17). In 2023, he served as a member of the ball crew for the Houston Texans.
Sims is entering his first season as defensive analyst at Florida State. Prior to coaching, Sims played linebacker for eight seasons in the NFL, including four seasons with the Lions (2006-09), one season with the Eagles (2010), one season with the Colts (2011) and two seasons with the Cowboys (2012-13). He was originally selected by the Detroit Lions with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Sims played in 109 games (87 starts) throughout his NFL career and recorded 416 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Soto is entering his second season as the passing game coordinator/wide receivers at Wagner College. Prior to his current role, Soto spent two seasons (2022-23) as the offensive quality control coach at Yale and three seasons (2020-22) as an offensive graduate assistant at Kent State. The Miami native played wide receiver at Ventura from 2013-14.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.