Terrence Graves is a 25-year veteran coach in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and is entering his seventh season at Grambling State University as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.
In 2018, Grambling State’s defense ranked among one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Tigers were tops in defensive touchdowns, fumbles recovered, passes intercepted, turnovers gained, turnover margin and blocked kicks.
In addition to the many team accolades, Graves coached De’Arius Christmas, who was selected the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. Christmas earned many honors, including being one of 13 finalists for the National Football Foundation (NFF) William V. Campbell Trophy.
In 2017, Graves coached an extremely talented group of linebackers and specialists once again. De’Arius Christmas was the team’s leader in several defensive categories. Christmas was tabbed as the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year after he was ranked fourth in the conference in tackles with 76, third in the SWAC with 14.5 tackles for a loss, to go along with 3.5 sacks (18th in SWAC), and two forced fumbles (tied for fourth in SWAC).
Graves was also fortunate to have kicker Marc Orozco return for the 2017 season after missing the previous season. Orozco wasted no time getting back into his groove as he broke a school record in points in a season by a kicker that stood for 16 years, tallying 102 total points. Orozco was 18-of-22 on field goals, with a long of 48 yards. His 18 made field goals tied a school record. This stellar season earned Orozco First Team All-SWAC honors, SBN First Team All-American and STATS FCS Third Team All-American. Orozco enters this season with 281 total points for his career, needing only 44 points to become the school’s all-time leading kick scorer.
As one of the longest tenured coaches in the entire conference, Graves has had his share of players to perform at the highest levels. In 2016, Graves mentored two all-conference players – linebacker Arkez Cooper (first team All-SWAC) and kicker Jonathan Wallace (second team All-SWAC). Last season, Cooper led the team with 74 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, while Wallace was 5-of-9 in field goals and booted a conference-best 60 extra points.
Graves’ hard-nose coaching style contributed to the success of the Tigers’ defense since his arrival in Grambling. In 2016 the Tiger defense led the nation in the FCS in four defensive categories (sacks, tackles for loss, red-zone defense and fumble recoveries), while finishing in the top five nationally in nine total categories. Grambling’s defense led the SWAC in 12 of 15 defensive statistical categories while finishing second in the remaining three.
The 2015 defense shared the lead in the SWAC in yards per carry allowed at 3.8 yards. The Tigers led the SWAC and the FCS nationally in turnovers gained with 32. Grambling led the SWAC and finished third nationally in tackles for loss with 114. Additionally, the Tigers led the SWAC in red-zone defense while finishing 10th nationally. The defense also finished second in the SWAC and sixth nationally with 3.16 sacks per game. Arkez Cooper was named a second team All-SWAC performer for the 2015 season. Kicker Marc Orozco was also a second team All-SWAC pick for Grambling in 2015, going 13-of-15 in field goals and 60-of-61 in extra points. Orozco led the entire conference and was tied for third in the FCS among kickers in scoring with 99 total points.
In 2014, the defense led the nation and the SWAC in sacks with 3.75 per game. The Tiger defense was the national and conference leader in tackles for loss with 10.1 per game. The Tiger defense also ranked fourth nationally in fumbles recovered and 19th nationally in turnovers gained. Linebacker Steve Orisakwe led the SWAC in tackles for loss (22.5), sacks (8.5) and fumbles recovered (three) for the 2014 season. His teammate Aaron Breed Jr. was second in the conference in tackles for loss, third in sacks and sixth overall in tackles.
Prior to his arrival at Grambling, Graves spent four years at Mississippi Valley State University as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach. The Norfolk, Va., native later became the pass defensive coordinator in 2012-2013. In 2013, Graves served as the interim head football coach at the end of the season.
During his stint at MVSU, Graves was instrumental in constructing some of the best defenses in the SWAC and NCAA. MVSU was ranked first in the SWAC and fourth nationally in total defense. They also led the SWAC and NCAA in tackles for loss. In 2013, MVSU led the SWAC in interceptions and finished eighth the NCAA.
Prior to his time at MVSU, Graves spent 15 years at Southern University under the legendary coach Pete Richardson. During his time with the Jaguars, he assisted the team with three SWAC Championships and four HBCU National Championships. He was the co-defensive coordinator from 2000-2002. In 2001, Southern led the SWAC in total defense and scoring defense and led the NCAA in turnovers. The football program also finished eighth nationally in total defense.
From 2005-2009, Graves served as the defensive coordinator at Southern. In 2007, he led the Jaguars’ defense to a NCAA Top-25 ranking, which led the SWAC in pass defense efficiency. In 2009, the Jaguars’ defense led the SWAC in turnover margin and ranked number No. 2 nationally.
In 2003, Graves served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Norfolk State, where he coached All-MEAC First Team and FCS All-American linebacker Kevin Talley. Talley still holds the NCAA record in tackles in a single season (195). That same year, Graves’ defense led the MEAC in pass defense and was ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
As a true freshman, Graves played at Wake Forest University before transferring to Winston-Salem State University, where he was a part of two CIAA Conference Championships (1990 and 1991). He was an HBCU Pre-season All-American and a first team All-CIAA defensive back in 1992. He finished second in the conference and fifth nationally in interceptions. Graves finished his career with 12 interceptions.
Graves has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1995. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and a member of Garden of Prayer Worship Center COGIC.
The 1994 graduate of Winston-Salem State University earned a degree in political science/history and is currently finishing his master’s degree in Social Science at Grambling State.
Graves is a proud father to China, his daughter, and the grandfather of two grandchildren.
