Courtney Coard enters his second season as the Aggies defensive line coach. Coard will be responsible for the development of the Aggies defensive linemen, while monitoring players academically and scouting A&T opponents. Coard will also play a role in recruiting quality talent to the Aggies program.

Coard presided over one of the most improved units on the Aggies football team. The Aggies rush defense was best in the MEAC and the seventh best nationally. Defensive end Tony Mashburn ranked 11^th in the conference in sacks (5.5) and 12^th in tackles for loss (12.5). Three of the Aggies defensive linemen had at least 25 tackles.

Before coming to A&T, Coard coached defensive ends and assisted in coaching defensive tackles at Grambling. Coard assisted defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Cliff Yoshida in 2009 and '10. Coard helped the defensive line produce 7.8 tackles for loss per game. It helped the Tigers rank 15^th nationally in tackles for loss.

Defensive lineman Christian Anthony ranked 31^st in the nation in sacks per game, and finished 19^th in tackles for loss. The following season, defensive lineman Antonio Leonard registered 1.2 tackles for loss per game.

Prior to his arrival at Grambling, Coard served as N.C. Central's assistant defensive line coach in 2008. He assisted with the weekly game plan by breaking down film. He also handled the academic side of the program by overseeing study hall and tutoring athletes. Coard was a four-year starter at the defensive tackle for N.C. Central from 2004-07. His presence helped the Eagles win consecutive CIAA titles in 2005 and '06.  In 2004, he was named to the CIAA's All-Rookie team.

Academically, Coard earned a B.A., degree in business management in 2008. Two years later, he received a M.S., degree in sports administration from Grambling.