The Minnesota Vikings named Marcus Dixon defensive line coach on Feb. 9, 2024. Prior to joining the Vikings, Dixon spent two seasons (2022-23) as the Denver Broncos defensive line coach and brings seven years of coaching experience, both collegiate and professional, to Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's staff.
In his first season in Minnesota in 2024, Dixon helped the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record and playoff appearance, the second-most wins in team history. His defensive line helped limit opponents to an average of 93.5 rushing yards per game and just five runs of 20+ yards on the season, both of which were the second-fewest marks in the NFL. The unit also played an integral role in the Vikings leading the league in interceptions (24), passes defensed (95), opponent 4th-down conversion percentage (37.1%) and interceptions per attempt (3.8%) and tie for the league lead in takeaways (33).
Joining Denver's coaching staff in February of 2022, and during Dixon's first season as a lead position coach in the NFL, the Broncos defensive line helped Denver rank seventh in total defense (320.0 yards/game) and 10th in rushing defense (109.8 yards/game). The defense totaled 36 sacks during the 2022 season, with the defensive line accounting for 15.5.
Dixon coached DE Dre'Mont Jones to a team-leading and career-high-tying 6.5 sacks in just 13 games played in 2022. Jones also recorded a career-high 47 tackles (24 solo) and tied his career high with nine tackles for loss. Additionally, under Dixon, DT D.J. Jones registered a career-high six passes defense, one shy of tying the Broncos single-season record by a defensive tackle, while DL DeShawn Williams posted career bests in sacks (4.5) and quarterback hits (eight), while tying his single-season career highs in passes defensed (three) and tackles for loss (four).
In his second season with Denver in 2023, Dixon coached a defensive line that helped the Broncos record a league-leading 15 fumble recoveries, a high mark for the franchise since 2007 (16). The defensive line also contributed to the Broncos limiting their opponents to a 33.17% success rate on third downs, the second-lowest percentage league wide in 2023, trailing only the Cleveland Browns (29.13%).
Dixon oversaw DE Zach Allen during the 2023 season, who was in his first season with the club, where he started all 17 games for the Broncos, totaling 23 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss. He was one of six linebackers/defensive ends in the league to register at least 23 QBHs and eight TFLs this past season.
Entering the NFL coaching ranks with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, Dixon served as the assistant defensive line coach, joining a coaching staff with O'Connell, who was the offensive coordinator. In one season with the Rams, Dixon helped the team total the sixth-best rushing defense in the league, allowing 103.2 rushing yards per game, and accumulate the third-highest sack total (50) league wide.
During the playoffs, the Rams defensive line helped the team rank first in rushing yards per game (60.3) and sacks (12). In Super Bowl LVI, the Rams collected seven sacks, including three by defensive lineman, en route to a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dixon began his coaching career at his alma mater Hampton University (2017-19), where he was a four-year starter on the defensive line from 2004-07. He coached the defensive line in 2017 and added the role of director of player development prior to the start of the 2018 campaign. In his third year with the Pirates, Dixon led the defensive ends and served as the recruiting coordinator.
Dixon originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. He played three seasons with the New York Jets from 2010-12, appearing in 22 games and recording 21 tackles (15 solo), 2.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. While with the Jets, Dixon was teammates with O'Connell.
A native of Rome, Ga., Dixon and his wife, Tesa (TEE-sa), have three children, Rhylee, Madylin and Zoë Olyvia.
