- Doug Cosbie
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Doug Cosbie Date of birth: March 27, 1956 Place of birth: Palo Alto, CA Career information Position(s): Tight end College: Santa Clara NFL Draft: 1979 / Round: 3 / Pick: 76 Organizations As player: 1979-1988 Dallas Cowboys Career highlights and awards Pro Bowls: 1983, 1984, 1985 Playing stats at NFL.com Douglas Durant Cosbie (born March 27, 1956 in Palo Alto, California) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. A 6'6", 236-lb. tight end from Santa Clara University, Cosbie played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from 1979 to 1988. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection from 1983 to 1985.
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Early years
He is a graduate of Saint Francis High School (Mountain View), California.
In 1973, he helped the Lancers reach the finals of the Central Coast Section playoffs, before losing the title game 32-30 to Saratoga High School.
In 1974, he was part of the first Santa Clara Valley All-Star Football Game, playing with the North team.
College career
He received a scholarship offer to play football at Santa Clara University.
Cosbie started for four seasons as a tight end for head coach Pat Malley.
He finished his college career as Santa Clara's top receiving tight end, with 120 receptions, 1,721 receiving yards, 14.3 yards per reception and 10 touchdowns. His records were eventually broken by Brent Jones.
For his achievements, Cosbie was inducted into the Santa Clara University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. That year, the Cowboys were placed in the third round just ahead of the San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys' draft strategy through that time was to take the highest-ranked player on their draft board, regardless of position. When the Cowboys' turn came up in the third round, the highest rated player on their board was Joe Montana. However, feeling that the quarterback position was in excellent shape with Roger Staubach and Danny White, and needing a tight end, the Cowboys went off their strategy and drafted Cosbie. The 49ers selected Montana.
By his third season in Dallas, he was sharing the starting tight end spot with Billy Joe DuPree and eventually replaced him.
Although he was an effective blocker, he became more of a receiving threat than any previous Cowboys tight end. He caught over 60 passes in a season twice during his career, and set team records for a tight end with catches and yards per season, which have since been broken by Jay Novacek (catches) and Jason Witten (catches and yards).
Cosbie caught 300 passes for 3,728 yards and 30 touchdowns and also had 22 catches for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns in 7 playoff games. He still ranks seventh in franchise history in receptions. He made three straight Pro Bowls from 1983-85.
He is part of the Cowboys franchise's legacy of great tight ends that includes: Pettis Norman, Mike Ditka, Billy Joe DuPree, Jackie Smith, Jay Novacek and Jason Witten.
Denver Broncos
In 1989, he was left unprotected by the Cowboys in Plan B free agency and signed with the Denver Broncos. He decided to retire during training camp that season, after playing for 10 years in the NFL and also in three NFC Championship games.
Coaching career
1990 volunteer assistant coach at Santa Clara University.
1993-1994, assistant to head coach Bill Walsh at Stanford University.
1995-1996, athletic director and head football coach of Division III Menlo College.
1997-1998, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach of Division I California University.
2000, head football coach of the XFL Los Angeles Dragons.
2006-2010, head football coach of the Sacramento High School.
2010, head football coach of semi-professional team in Italy.
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