UT Martin Football Promotes Jerry Partridge to Defensive Coordinator
3/31/2025 10:55:00 AM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin head football coach Jason Simpson has announced the promotion of Jerry Partridge as the Skyhawks new defensive coordinator. Partridge brings decades of experience as both a previous head coach and defensive coordinator throughout the college ranks while serving on Simpson's staff since 2023.
Partridge takes over defensive duties for the Skyhawks after former defensive coordinator Brandon Butcher resigned to take a position at FBS Conference USA member UTEP.
Since joining the Skyhawk staff prior to the 2023 season, Partridge has helped solidify a defense which has helped the team win four consecutive conference championships and the program's second postseason victory in its Division I history. Along with his title as assistant head coach, he has also overseen the defensive backs along with punt return and kickoff units on special teams.
In 2024, the Skyhawks ranked among the nation's leaders in passes intercepted (19, third), defensive touchdowns (four, fifth), rushing defense (93.2, sixth), third down conversion percentage defense (30.6 percent, ninth), turnovers gained (24, 14th), punt returns (13.14, 14th) and team passing efficiency defense (119.26, 22nd).
Before joining the Skyhawks, Partridge brought a wealth of experience to the program after previously spending 20 seasons as a head coach at NCAA Division II Missouri Western State while also holding roles as the defensive coordinator at both Northern Arizona and Delta State.
While at Northern Arizona, Partridge served as the program's defensive coordinator from 2019-22. During his tenure, he mentored 11 All-Big Sky honorees, including first team selections Khalil Dorsey and Morgan Vest.
Prior to joining the Lumberjacks, Partridge held a similar position as defensive coordinator at Division II Delta State from 2017-18. During that time, the Statesmen boasted 11 wins in two seasons while ranking amongst the nation's leaders in third down conversion defense, turnovers gained and interceptions in 2017.
Partridge enjoyed an impressive career as head coach of Missouri Western from 1997-2016 while ranking as the program's all-time wins leader with 149 career victories. He guided the Griffons to 11 straight winning seasons, four NCAA Division II playoff berths, two conference titles and six bowl game appearances. His 2012 team advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinals after finishing with a 12-2 record and were ranked as high as No. 4 nationally – one of his 12 nationally ranked squads.
Partridge was honored as Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year on two occasions (2000, 2012) and has had more than 15 of his players invited to NFL camps. Partridge was inducted into the Missouri Western Hall of Fame in 2011.
Prior to Missouri Western, Partridge spent a season as defensive backs coach at Murray State (1996), where he helped lead the Racers to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship with an 11-2 record. Murray State advanced to the national quarterfinals of the NCAA I-AA Playoffs and ranked sixth nationally in pass defense and seventh in overall defense.
Partridge had a previous stint at Missouri Western (1991-95) as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He also spent one year as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Austin Peay (1990) and was a graduate assistant on the Notre Dame squad that captured the 1988 National Championship. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Missouri in 1986.
Partridge takes over defensive duties for the Skyhawks after former defensive coordinator Brandon Butcher resigned to take a position at FBS Conference USA member UTEP.
Since joining the Skyhawk staff prior to the 2023 season, Partridge has helped solidify a defense which has helped the team win four consecutive conference championships and the program's second postseason victory in its Division I history. Along with his title as assistant head coach, he has also overseen the defensive backs along with punt return and kickoff units on special teams.
In 2024, the Skyhawks ranked among the nation's leaders in passes intercepted (19, third), defensive touchdowns (four, fifth), rushing defense (93.2, sixth), third down conversion percentage defense (30.6 percent, ninth), turnovers gained (24, 14th), punt returns (13.14, 14th) and team passing efficiency defense (119.26, 22nd).
Before joining the Skyhawks, Partridge brought a wealth of experience to the program after previously spending 20 seasons as a head coach at NCAA Division II Missouri Western State while also holding roles as the defensive coordinator at both Northern Arizona and Delta State.
While at Northern Arizona, Partridge served as the program's defensive coordinator from 2019-22. During his tenure, he mentored 11 All-Big Sky honorees, including first team selections Khalil Dorsey and Morgan Vest.
Prior to joining the Lumberjacks, Partridge held a similar position as defensive coordinator at Division II Delta State from 2017-18. During that time, the Statesmen boasted 11 wins in two seasons while ranking amongst the nation's leaders in third down conversion defense, turnovers gained and interceptions in 2017.
Partridge enjoyed an impressive career as head coach of Missouri Western from 1997-2016 while ranking as the program's all-time wins leader with 149 career victories. He guided the Griffons to 11 straight winning seasons, four NCAA Division II playoff berths, two conference titles and six bowl game appearances. His 2012 team advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinals after finishing with a 12-2 record and were ranked as high as No. 4 nationally – one of his 12 nationally ranked squads.
Partridge was honored as Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year on two occasions (2000, 2012) and has had more than 15 of his players invited to NFL camps. Partridge was inducted into the Missouri Western Hall of Fame in 2011.
Prior to Missouri Western, Partridge spent a season as defensive backs coach at Murray State (1996), where he helped lead the Racers to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship with an 11-2 record. Murray State advanced to the national quarterfinals of the NCAA I-AA Playoffs and ranked sixth nationally in pass defense and seventh in overall defense.
Partridge had a previous stint at Missouri Western (1991-95) as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He also spent one year as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Austin Peay (1990) and was a graduate assistant on the Notre Dame squad that captured the 1988 National Championship. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Missouri in 1986.
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