Pat Washington, whose gifted receiving corps has been credited with much of the success of UT's traditionally strong passing attack, is hoping for continued prosperity in his eighth season on Phillip Fulmer's staff.
He has a shining star returning for the 2002 season in Kelley Washington, a Playboy Preseason All-America selection who made a splash last year as a former professional baseball player-turned-walkon. The receiver led the Volunteers with 64 catches for 1,010 yards en route to earning Freshman All-America honors. He returns along with senior Leonard Scott, but gone are counterparts Donte’ Stallworth, who left after his junior season for the NFL, and graduates Bobby Graham and Eric Parker.
Coach Washington's painstaking and effective coaching methods over the past seven seasons have strengthened UT's claim for recognition as Wide Receivers U. Stallworth, Cedric Wilson, Peerless Price, Marcus Nash and Joey Kent have been among the most celebrated pass-catchers under Washington's direction.
Before arriving at Tennessee in 1995, Washington's previous place of employment was Waco, Texas, where in 1994 he coached running backs for the Baylor Bears.
His duties at UT as receivers coach are more similar to his work at TCU in 1992 and 1993. There he directed the play of wide receivers and quarterbacks for the Horned Frogs. His coaching resume also includes three years at Louisiana-Lafayette in charge of receivers.
During the time he played quarterback at Auburn, from 1982-85, Washington did far more than hand the ball off to future Heisman Trophy winner and teammate Bo Jackson. In his junior and senior seasons, he was the signal-caller for Tiger teams that played in the Liberty and Cotton Bowls.
Washington, who served as an Auburn co-captain his senior season, remained on campus as a student graduate assistant coach for two years, assigned to work with the Auburn quarterbacks coach. A native of Mobile, Ala., he won prep All-America honors at Murphy High School.
In 1998, Washington received recognition as the outstanding receivers coach in the Southeastern Conference.
He and his wife, the former Claudette Malveaux, are the parents of sons Tyson Alexander and Justin Alan.
Personal Data
Born: October 12, 1963 at Mobile, Ala.
Education: Murphy High School, Mobile, Ala.; Auburn University 1986
College Football: Quarterback, Auburn, 1982-85
Coaching Career: Auburn 1987-88; Southwestern Louisiana 1989-91; Texas Christian 1992-93; Baylor 1994; Tennessee 1995-present
Wife: Claudette Malveaux Washington
Children: Tyson Alexander (3/19/97), Justin Alan (5/12/00)