Texas A&M defensive ends coach Terry Price has died at the age of 55, the school announced Friday.
“Terry was not only a great Aggie, football coach and recruiter, he was an even better husband, father and man,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said in a statement. “The impact he has had on this program and its players is immeasurable. Our football family has suffered an incredible loss. We will continue to keep Kenya and the boys in our thoughts and prayers.”
Price, a former Texas A&M player, has been an assistant coach on the Aggies’ staff since 2012. He spent almost his entire coaching career teaching SEC defensemen. He coached the defensive lines at Auburn (1999–2008) and Ole Miss (1995–98, 2009–11) before returning to his alma mater and taking the same position under coach Kevin Sumlin.
In 2015, Price shifted his focus solely to defense. Following Sumlin’s departure after the 2017 season, Price was acquired by Fisher and remained an important part of the defensive staff, both as an onfield coach and as a recruiter.
During his tenure at Texas A&M, he played a key role in helping the Aggies attract talented defensive linemen. Price played a role in recruiting Myles Garrett, who was the 2014 No. 1 defensive end in the class and later became the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Both Rivals and 247Sports named Price one of the top recruiters in the country in 2014.
As a player, Price was letterman for the Aggies for four years from 1986-1989 and a member of the Aggies’ hailed “Wrecking Crew” defense. In his final two years, Price led the Texas A&M defensive line in tackles and earned All-Southwest Conference honors as a senior. He was drafted in the 10th round by the Chicago Bears in the 1990 NFL Draft and played two seasons in the NFL with the Bears and the Miami Dolphins. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M in 1992 before joining the team as a volunteer coach in 1992-93.
Affectionately known in A&M circles by his initials ‘TP’, Price has also gained recognition for his grilling skills. A native of Plano, Texas, he discovered his fascination with barbecue in the late 1990s and even won multiple cooking championships. He had four honors embroidered on his chef’s jacket.
During his tenure as A&M coach, Price started the “D-Line Cookout,” in which he would gather all of the team’s defensive linemen at his home, typically during the offseason or at training camp, to eat countless pounds of barbecue. It has become an annual tradition.
Fisher joked in 2021 that he was skeptical of Price’s abilities until he tried the barbecue.
“When I first met him and saw that he had these awards and this (chef’s) hat, I said, ‘Look, I don’t know if you just sewed these (awards) on or if they’re real. ‘ We need to do some research,” Fisher said, laughing. “But all you had to do was try the barbecue once to know they were real wins.”
Former Texas A&M players shared their condolences on social media on Friday.
“It hurts!” tweeted former Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall, a 2017 NFL third-round draft pick. “Not only have you changed my life, you’ve changed so many other young men!” The true one Definition of what it means to be a real MAN! I could never repay you for what you did for me!”
Former Texas A&M defensive lineman Reggie Chevis tweeted, “One of the greatest ever man. This guy taught me how to hire an SEC-D lineman.”
Price is survived by his wife Kenya and sons Alexander and Devin. Devin spent the last three years as a receiver at Texas A&M, sharing the position with his father before joining Florida Atlantic earlier this year.
(Photo: John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)