Vance Named Assistant Director of Operations
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former NFL defensive back Eric Vance has been named the Miami Hurricanes’ Assistant Director of Football Operations, announced Thursday by head coach Al Golden.
Vance spent six seasons as the Director of Player Development with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While with the Bucs, he coordinated transition for all new player signees, assisted coaches with daily practice activities and game-day charting and served as the main liaison between players and the community relations department. He also developed and implemented “Buccaneer University”, which taught players financial education and skills for career transitions, while helping with degree completion and other off-field issues.
“We are extremely excited to announce today that Eric Vance joined The UFamily,” Golden said. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge as a successful Division I student-athlete, a professional athlete, and as an educator.
“Eric is a perfect fit for our program as he exemplifies the core values we look for from our student-athletes,” Golden said. “Eric excelled at the highest level in academics, athletics and leadership while in college and made the successful transition from professional football to the workforce. Lastly, Eric will be able to share his experiences as both an NFL player and staff member with our student-athletes as he assists them in reaching all of their goals here at The University of Miami.”
Prior to joining the Buccaneers staff, Vance taught for three years at Robinson High School in the Hillsborough County School District, where he was voted 2005 Ida S. Baker Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year.
Vance played four seasons (1998-2001) with the Buccaneers, playing in 33 games with one start. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers after breaking into the league as an undrafted free agent in 1997 with the Carolina Panthers.
A graduate of Vanderbilt with a double major in mathematics and secondary education, he was a four-year starter and team captain for the Commodores. He later earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from USF.
He and his wife Inika have two children – daughter Jalyn and son Jordan.
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