Jerome Mathis, a NFL Pro Bowl kickoff returner in 2006 with the Houston Texans, is the new head football coach at Petersburg High School in Virginia.
The former fourth round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft is a 2001 graduate of the school where he was a standout wide receiver and kick returner and also excelled in track and field. This will be Mathis’ first head coaching job after serving as an assistant for the Crimson Wave over the past two seasons, according to The Progress-Index.
Mathis told The Progress-Index, “Football players are leaders, and they should stand out not just because of their talent but because of their character. They must also understand that football is a privilege. Privileges can be taken away, if you fail to uphold the standards that have been set. Together, we can build a program that instills discipline, respect and pride to restore the legacy of Petersburg High School football and what it truly means to be part of the Crimson Wave family.”
During his rookie season with the Texans, he averaged 28.6 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns, which led to him being named to the Pro Bowl.
Recently, Mathis was named to the Class of 2025 for the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
