<![CDATA[Tabor named special teams coordinator]]>Tabor named special teams coordinator

Posted 8 minutes ago

The Cleveland Browns today named Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator, the team announced. Tabor brings 18 years of coaching experience between the high school, college and professional levels, including the last three as the Chicago Bears’ assistant special teams coach.

“I believe that Chris is one of the up and coming special teams coaches in this league,” said Browns head coach Pat Shurmur. “He is smart, enthusiastic and has a true passion for this area of the game. In Chris’ three years with the Bears, they consistently boasted one of the best special teams groups in the league, in just about every facet. Having faced them in 2008 and 2009, I know what a challenge it was to go up against their unit. He will be a valuable addition to our coaching staff.”

During Tabor’s three years working with the Bears’ special teams units, Chicago consistently ranked among the league leaders in numerous departments. The Bears ranked in the top-five in no less than nine different special teams categories combined over that three-year period. Chicago led the NFL in total return yards (6,570) and kickoff return yards (5,415) and posted the second-best kickoff return average (25.1), ranked third in punt return defense (7.1) and produced the fifth-best punt return average (10.4). The Bears registered six total kick returns for touchdowns in that time, tied for the second-most in the league.

Also during Tabor’s tenure, the Bears tied for fifth in the league in punts inside the 20-yard line (90) and tied for seventh in field goal percentage (86.2). Since 2008, Chicago is one of only six teams in the NFL to allow one or fewer kick return touchdowns as that total is tied for second in the league over this span.

Tabor also has helped shape some of the NFL’s top return specialists. In 2008, Danieal Manning led the NFL in kickoff return average (29.7). In 2009, Johnny Knox finished second in the league in kickoff return average (29.0) and earned a Pro Bowl selection as a kick returner. In 2010, Devin Hester led the NFL in punt return average (17.1) and punt return touchdowns (3) en route to earning a Pro Bowl nod as a kick returner.

In 2010, the Bears ranked first in the league in punt return average (17.1), second in kickoff return average (25.4), second in average drive start after kickoffs (31.5) and ninth in punt return defense (7.8).

Prior to Chicago, Tabor spent two seasons at Western Michigan University (2006-07) as the running backs and special teams coach. He spent four seasons at Utah State University, where he was the running backs and special teams coach in 2005 after being the Aggies’ assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers from 2002-04.

Tabor spent four seasons at the University of Missouri, first as an offensive graduate assistant (1997-99) before moving into the role of running backs and special teams coach in 2000. Tabor was also the head coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. in 2001.

From 1993-1996, Tabor built experience at the community college and high school levels, coaching at Central Methodist College (1995-96) in Fayette, Mo., Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College (1994) and Benton High School (1993) in St. Joseph, Mo.

Tabor graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he played four seasons as quarterback. He earned a master’s degree in education from Columbia (Mo.) College.

Chris Tabor’s Coaching Background:

1997-99 University of Missouri, offensive graduate assistant coach

2000 University of Missouri, running backs and special teams coach

2001 Culver-Stockton College, head coach

2002-04 Utah State University, assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers

2005 Utah State University, running backs and special teams coach

2006-07 Western Michigan University, running backs and special teams coach

2008-2010 Chicago Bears, assistant special teams coach

2011 Cleveland Browns, special teams coordinato

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/18712/tabor-named-special-teams-coordinatorRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 02:06:48 GMTTue, 25 Jan 2011 21:29:55 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:28:47 GMT]]>Just a general reply.

We have been trying to get Cribbs worked in at receiver for a while now and it really hasn't happened.

Possibly this is due to a coaching deficit. On the other hand, possibly it is because Cribbs can't play the position.

My feeling is Josh is nearing the end of his peak years. If I could trade the guy for a decent pick, I would. I just don't see him ever going back to returning 3-4 kicks a year or ever being more than a sideshow at some of the other offensive positions.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226995https://brownsboard.com/post/226995Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:28:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:24:48 GMT]]>

@miktoxic said:

i think he needs to do one or the other, not both. i don't know if he at the point of 'breaking down' but he will if they have him out there every play.

Hester's done OK doing both.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226899https://brownsboard.com/post/226899Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:24:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:36:39 GMT]]>

@riffer-x said:

I'm thinking Cribbs needs to get off special teams and concentrate on being slot guy and overall weapon on offense given the WCO being implemented. He is beginning to break down and teams are kicking away from him anyway. Of bigger concern is Dawson not being resigned and Hodges not duplicating his fantastic year. We can find another return guy.

i think he needs to do one or the other, not both. i don't know if he at the point of 'breaking down' but he will if they have him out there every play.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226863https://brownsboard.com/post/226863Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:36:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:16:10 GMT]]>

@peterbell said:

We lost one of the best special team coaches in the NFL..period

And then we gained one right after. It's like losing a 20 carat diamond and then finding a 19 3/4 carat one. We hardly down graded at at special teams coordinators.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226858https://brownsboard.com/post/226858Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:16:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:35:42 GMT]]>We lost one of the best special team coaches in the NFL..period

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226853https://brownsboard.com/post/226853Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:35:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:20:35 GMT]]>I'm thinking Cribbs needs to get off special teams and concentrate on being slot guy and overall weapon on offense given the WCO being implemented. He is beginning to break down and teams are kicking away from him anyway. Of bigger concern is Dawson not being resigned and Hodges not duplicating his fantastic year. We can find another return guy.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226803https://brownsboard.com/post/226803Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:20:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:52:18 GMT]]>Josh Cribbs is the coach of our special teams unit now.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226801https://brownsboard.com/post/226801Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:52:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:24:17 GMT]]>Impressive hire. Like many others, I was extremely concerned over the loss of Seely, but I don't know how we could have done much better.

Mike

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226797https://brownsboard.com/post/226797Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:24:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:11:36 GMT]]>meh...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226795https://brownsboard.com/post/226795Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:11:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:46:22 GMT]]>We have a core of players and the guy is equipped to do the job.

I agree....a good hire.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226776https://brownsboard.com/post/226776Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:46:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:40:56 GMT]]>good hire

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226773https://brownsboard.com/post/226773Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:40:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:21:07 GMT]]>Love this hire! Who has the second best special teams group in the NFL? DA BEARS!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226766https://brownsboard.com/post/226766Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:21:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tabor named special teams coordinator on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:46:52 GMT]]>

mikeyP72 said:

The Cleveland Browns named Chris Tabor special teams coordinator, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Clevelandbrowns.com

Looks like Cleveland is a 'first' coaching experience for a lot of people besides Jauron.

Bears S/T were either really good or Hester is really fast.... Who knows.

I'm going to go with both.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/226764https://brownsboard.com/post/226764Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:46:52 GMT