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Edgar Bennett
Running Backs

Seventh season as NFL coach
Seventh season with Packers

Edgar Bennett begins his 15th NFL season in 2007, his 13th in Green Bay and third as the Packers' running backs coach.

Named to his position Jan. 17, 2006, by Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Bennett originally was promoted to his current role Jan. 28, 2005. He continues his "third" Green Bay tour after initially re-joining the club to head player development (2001-04) and, earlier, a tenure as one of the most productive running backs in Green Bay history (1992-96).

In 2006, Bennett oversaw the strong recovery from a torn quadriceps tendon by Ahman Green, who posted his sixth 1,000-yard season to set a franchise record. He also helped develop newcomers Vernand Morency, a tailback picked up in an early season trade, and fullback Brandon Miree, who jumped from the practice squad into the starting lineup in Week 4, as both players improved Green Bay's backfield depth after being strongly tested in that area the year before. In 2005, his first season as a full-time coach, Bennett saw the team start five halfbacks and feature six after season-ending injuries claimed Green and Najeh Davenport (ankle). A rib injury also sidelined No. 3 back Tony Fisher for two games.

Faced with steep adversity, Bennett took a non-drafted player fresh off the practice squad, Samkon Gado, and guided him to the second-most productive season by a rookie running back in franchise history. Gado, who had started only two games at Liberty University, ran for 582 yards, including three 100-yard games. Only No. 1 draft choice John Brockington (1,105 yards and four 100-yard games in 1971) had more as a Packers rookie. And no other Packers rookie had more TDs (6) or single-game rushing yards (171, vs. Detroit, Dec. 11) than Gado. Bennett also got solid production from Pro Bowl fullback William Henderson (30 catches for 264 yards).

Although technically new to the coaching ranks in 2005, the 38-year-old Bennett was no stranger to the craft as he spent 2001-04 assisting with Green Bay's backs and providing sideline support when not serving as a player mentor.

Initially joining the club as its director of player development April 10, 2001, Bennett helped players become acclimated to their roles as Green Bay Packers, both on and off the field, especially in terms of their expected contributions to their teammates, the community and team chemistry. Bennett's efforts in this area were recognized in 2003 as the Packers' player development department was named the best in the NFC.

Bennett also managed the Packers' wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of the players and their families in today's NFL, providing a framework of assistance within which players and their immediate family members can address the pressures created by daily life and complicated by the demands of playing professional football. Bennett assisted players in taking full advantage of the NFL's many offerings, including those dealing with financial advice, continuing education and professional internships aimed at preparing players for their careers when their playing days are over. He also worked in conjunction with the Packers' community relations and family programs departments.

Bennett, earlier Green Bay's fourth-round draft selection in 1992, is the ninth-ranking rusher in Packers history. The former Florida State athlete gained 3,353 yards over his five seasons in green and gold (1992-96). In 1995, he became only the fifth player in team annals to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (1,067), the first since Terdell Middleton in 1978. He also continues to hold the club single-season record for receptions by a running back with 78, set in 1994. His accomplishments were appropriately honored in 2005 upon his induction into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

After a torn Achilles' heel suffered in the Packers' 1997 preseason opener ended his season, a successfully rehabbed Bennett signed with Chicago as an unrestricted free agent in 1998 and led the Bears in rushing that season with 611 yards. After one more season with Chicago, Bennett retired from football in 2000.

A four-year starter at fullback for Florida State (1987, 1989-91), Bennett holds a bachelor's degree in social science with a primary emphasis in political science and a secondary emphasis in sociology. Previously, he was a first-team all-state back at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, where played with former Packers safety LeRoy Butler, who later also would be his teammate at FSU and in Green Bay. Bennett was inducted into the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Born Edgar Bennett III in Jacksonville, Fla., he and his wife, Mindy, have a son, Edgar IV, 12, and a daughter, Elyse Morgan, 7, and live in Green Bay. In 2003, he created the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, an event that brings together Packers players, coaches and staff. In recent years, the event has supported the Angel Fund for Children with Cancer, a foundation that gives financial and social support to local families whose children are receiving treatments for cancer or bone marrow failure. The '06 competition, which raised a record $58,500, saw a local sponsor roll a perfect game. In its initial year, the Bowl-A-Thon supported the March of Dimes. In May 2006, Bennett received the "Nice Guy Award" at the Doug Jirschele Sports Awards Banquet in Clintonville, Wis.

BENNETT AT A GLANCE

First joined Packers April 10, 2001, to head player development department; promoted to running backs coach Jan. 28, 2005, and again named to the position by Mike McCarthy Jan. 17, 2006.
Spent four seasons (2001-04) helping players become acclimated to their roles as Green Bay Packers as director of player development. His efforts were recognized in 2003 when his department was named best in the NFC.
The Packers' fourth-round selection in the 1992 draft, is the ninth-ranking rusher in Packers history, with 3,353 yards over his five seasons (1992-96). In 1995 became only the fifth player in team annals to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (1,067) and the first since Terdell Middleton in 1978.
Continues to hold the club single-season record for receptions by a running back with 78, set in 1994.
A first-team all-state back at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, was a teammate of former Packers safety LeRoy Butler, who later would be his teammate at Florida State and in Green Bay.
Was inducted into both the Green Bay Packers and Florida State Athletic halls of fame in 2005.
In 2003 created the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, an annual event that brings together Packers players, coaches and staff to raise funds for charity.

COACHING BACKGROUND:

Year	College/Pro Team	Position Coached
2005-07	Green Bay Packers	Running Backs