Larry Kirksey

From a young age, Larry Kirksey was drawn to football. Raised with a strong work ethic and a passion for the game in the Kentucky coal mining town of Harlan, he turned heads as a standout wide receiver at Eastern Kentucky University. But while his playing days were impressive, it was clear early on that his true calling was in guiding others. Kirksey found purpose in coaching and over the course of four decades, he became one of the most respected mentors in the sport, leaving a lasting impact at nearly every level of the game.

His coaching journey began in the college ranks, with impactful stints at the University of Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Miami (Ohio), Kansas, Pittsburgh, Kentucky State, Texas A&M, and Middle Tennessee State University. A detail-oriented teacher and tireless motivator, Kirksey developed a reputation for molding raw talent into elite performers, sending numerous athletes on to NFL success. His ability to build trust and demand excellence made him a mainstay on top coaching staffs across the country.

Kirksey’s success in college football led him to the NFL, where he joined the San Francisco 49ers as wide receivers coach in 1994. There, he helped guide the team to a Super Bowl XXIX victory and worked closely with Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, sharpening the skills of one of the greatest to ever play the game. Kirksey’s influence during his six-year tenure helped cement the 49ers’ dominance in the 1990s.

He went on to coach in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans. He later coached in the USFL winning two championships with the Birmingham Stallions.

While Kirksey’s iconic résumé includes a Super Bowl win and coaching some of the NFL’s most respected names, his greatest legacy lies in the generations of men he helped shape along the way.

Biography by Grace Frericks.
Profile photo by Scott Utterback/Louisville Courier-Journal. Headshot Houston Texans.
Football Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.