Shawn Jefferson

For his son by the same name, see Van Jefferson.

Vanchi LaShawn "Shawn" Jefferson Sr. (born February 22, 1969) is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the associate head coach and wide receivers coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2021 to 2022 and also previously served as an assistant coach for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions.

Shawn Jefferson

New York Jets
Position:	Wide receivers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1969-02-22) February 22, 1969 (age 56) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:	William M. Raines (Jacksonville, Florida)
College:	UCF
NFL draft:	1991: 9th round, 240th pick
Career history
As a player:
Houston Oilers (1991)* San Diego Chargers (1991–1995) New England Patriots (1996–1999) Atlanta Falcons (2000–2002) Detroit Lions (2003)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Detroit Lions (2006) Offensive assistant Detroit Lions (2007) Assistant wide receivers coach Detroit Lions (2008–2012) Wide receivers coach Tennessee Titans (2013–2015) Wide receivers coach Miami Dolphins (2016–2018) Wide receivers coach New York Jets (2019–2020) Assistant head coach & wide receivers coach Arizona Cardinals (2021) Wide receivers coach Arizona Cardinals (2022) Associate head coach & wide receivers coach Carolina Panthers (2023) Wide receivers coach New York Jets (2024–present) Wide receivers coach
Career highlights and awards
New England Patriots All-1990s Team
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 470 Receiving yards: 7,023 Receiving touchdowns: 29 Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

Jefferson played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Vertical jump
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in (1.81 m)	169 lb (77 kg)	30 in (0.76 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.53 s	1.61 s	2.66 s	4.19 s	30.0 in (0.76 m)
All values from NFL Combine[1]

Jefferson was selected by the Houston Oilers in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL draft.^[2] In his career, Jefferson appeared in 195 games (along with 12 postseason games), and two Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl XXIX and Super Bowl XXXI). He finished his career with 470 receptions for 7,023 yards and 29 touchdowns.^[3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1991	SDG	16	3	12	125	10.4	29	1
1992	SDG	16	1	29	377	13.0	51	2
1993	SDG	16	4	30	391	13.0	39	2
1994	SDG	16	16	43	627	14.6	52	3
1995	SDG	16	15	48	621	12.9	45	2
1996	NWE	15	15	50	771	15.4	42	4
1997	NWE	16	14	54	841	15.6	76	2
1998	NWE	16	16	34	771	22.7	61	2
1999	NWE	16	16	40	698	17.5	68	6
2000	ATL	16	14	60	822	13.7	49	2
2001	ATL	16	6	37	539	14.6	48	2
2002	ATL	13	7	27	394	14.6	63	1
2003	DET	7	3	6	46	7.7	13	0
		195	130	470	7,023	14.9	76	29

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1992	SDG	2	0	1	10	10.0	10	0
1994	SDG	3	3	7	75	10.7	16	0
1995	SDG	1	1	3	33	11.0	12	1
1996	NWE	3	2	10	143	14.3	38	0
1997	NWE	2	2	10	111	11.1	19	0
1998	NWE	1	1	4	30	7.5	10	0
2002	ATL	2	1	1	10	10.0	10	1
		14	10	36	412	11.4	38	2

Coaching career

Detroit Lions

In 2006, Jefferson was hired by the Detroit Lions as an offensive assistant. In 2007, he was promoted to wide receivers coach.

Tennessee Titans

In 2013, Jefferson was hired by the Tennessee Titans as their wide receivers coach.^[4]

Miami Dolphins

On January 12, 2016, Jefferson was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their wide receivers coach under head coach Adam Gase.^[5]

New York Jets

In 2019, Jefferson followed Gase to be his assistant head coach and wide receivers coach with the New York Jets.^[6]

Arizona Cardinals

On January 19, 2021, Jefferson was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their wide receivers coach under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, replacing David Raih. On May 10, 2022, Jefferson was promoted to associate head coach.^[7]

Carolina Panthers

On February 19, 2023, the Carolina Panthers hired Jefferson as their wide receivers coach.^[8]

Personal life

Jefferson's son is Van Jefferson, a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at Ole Miss and Florida.^[9]