| Kenny Ingram |
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Kenny Ingram was promoted to defensive coordinator in March 2009 and will continue to work with the linebackers. He enters his fourth season on the Tiger coaching staff in 2009.
Ingram joined the staff in 2006, and inherited a young group of linebackers. His charges responded by leading the way in tackles that season. Three of the five leading tacklers on the squad were linebackers, led by Heath Grant, who was second with 81 stops. Grant also led the team in fumble recoveries with two and logged two interceptions. Quinton McCrary and Greg Jackson ranked third and fourth, respectively, in tackles. McCrary registered 70 tackles and a forced fumble, while Jackson totaled 69 tackles, which included seven TFL for minus 15 yards.
Ingram was battle tested in 2007 as that group was most hit by injuries to several key players. In just the second game of the season, Ingram lost the services of starting outside linebacker Greg Jackson to a knee injury. Just weeks later, Ingram had to alter the lineup again as middle linebacker Winston Bowens was sidelined the remainder of the season, also with a knee injury. Seven different lineups were used in 13 games, as Ingram and the defensive staff looked to get a consistent group in place.
The final three games saw Jeremy Rockette and Jake Kasser on the outsides and Heath Grant in the middle. Kasser, who started 13 games, led the squad in tackles with 100 and was named to the All-C-USA second team. Kasser was also second on the squad in fumble recoveries with three.
In 2008, Ingram had the services of Jackson and Bowens as well as young talent in Jeremy Longstreet and Jeremy Rockette. Longstreet was second on the squad in tackles with 80 and also had two forced fumbles and three QB hurries. Bowens and Jackson were fifth and sixth, respectively in tackles with 55 and 52 stops each. Jackson also led the team in TFL with 11.5 and had an interception en route to being named the team's defensive player of the year.
No stranger to Memphis, Ingram coached at Melrose High School, where he was credited with returning the program to prominence. He was the head coach from 2002-04 and posted a 37-4 overall record after serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 2001-02. He led the school to one appearance in the state finals and a pair of appearances in the state semifinals.
Ingram was a three-time Regional Coach of the Year and was the Commercial Appeal's 2004 Coach of the Year for Metro Memphis. He also was selected to serve as the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game defensive coordinator in 2003 and was a member of the Tennessee East-West Shrine All-Star Game coaching staff that same season. In addition, Ingram was elected as an assistant coach for the 2004 Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game.
In his three seasons at Melrose, he coached 17 players who signed scholarships to play college football.
Ingram, 37, spent the 2005 season as defensive line coach at Tennessee State University, and was responsible for recruiting his hometown area of Memphis and west Tennessee.
Previously, Ingram taught and coached at Corry Middle School and worked in the Youth Habilitation Center prior to moving to Melrose.
A standout locally at Whitehaven High, Ingram played college football at Arkansas State, where he was a four-year letterman from 1988-92. He was the team co-captain in 1992, and received his bachelor's degree in political science from ASU in December 1999.
Ingram and his wife, Carla, have five children: Kendrien, Taylor, Kameron and twins Kennedy and Karleigh.
Born
March 16, 1971
Memphis, Tenn.
Alma Mater
Arkansas State, 1999
Bachelor's degree in political science
Collegiate Playing Experience
1988-92: Arkansas State (DE)
Family
Wife - Carla
Children - Kendrien, Taylor, Kameron, Kennedy & Karleigh
Coaching Experience
2006-Present: University of Memphis
2005: Tennessee State
2002-04: Melrose High School Head Coach
2001-02: Melrose High School Asst. Coach
2000: Corry Middle School
Recruiting Area
North Georgia, Chattanooga and Memphis
