Christophel worked most recently with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-17), serving as the team’s tight ends coach. In 2017, Christophel helped develop rookie free agent Ricky Seals-Jones – a converted college wide receiver – who caught three touchdown passes, tied for the eighth-most among all rookies. The tight ends group combined for six touchdown receptions and 567 yards in 2015, when the Cardinals posted the No. 1 offense and No. 2 scoring offense in the NFL.
Before joining Arizona, Christophel spent six seasons as the head coach at Austin Peay (2007-12). In his first year, he led the team to seven wins, the most the school had recorded since 1984 and the most by a first-year head coach since 1979.
Prior to being named head coach at Austin Peay, Christophel totaled more than 25 years as an assistant coach at the collegiate level. He spent 12 seasons at Alabama-Birmingham (1995-2006), serving in a variety of roles. He also coached at Mississippi State (1991-94), where he worked alongside Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians, who was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator from 1993-94.
Christophel began his coaching career at his alma mater, Austin Peay, working as a graduate assistant in 1975, following four years as a starter on the team. After spending three seasons (1976-78) coaching at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kent., he returned to Austin Peay for three seasons (1979-81), before moving on to Southern Arkansas State (1982), Cincinnati (1983), Rice (1984-85) and Vanderbilt (1986-90).
