A former halfback and split end at the University of Utah, the Chargers hired Graves to coach wide receivers in January.
Graves has spent the last 37 years coaching college and professionally, including 36 years coaching wide receivers. At his most recent stop in Carolina (2011-12), Steve Smith topped 1,000 yards both seasons under Graves, his first 1,000-yard campaigns since 2008. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, including 2011, Smith caught 152 passes for 2,568 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons while working under Graves.
A native of Los Angeles, Graves coached a total of 26 years on the collegiate level, including 19 years (1982-00) as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, the University of Utah. He moved on to the NFL in 2001 when the Buffalo Bills tabbed him to coach their receivers. Eric Moulds and Peerless Price both delivered 1,000-yard seasons for the Bills under Graves and Moulds put together the first 100-reception season in team history. In 2002, Moulds, Price and rookie Josh Reed combined to catch 231 passes for 3,053 yards and 21 scores for the Bills.
After three seasons in Buffalo (2001-03), Graves spent a year in Cleveland (2004) and one in Detroit (2005). Graves did not coach in 2006, but returned to the NFL in ’07 with the Tennessee Titans, spending four seasons coaching a group that included Justin Gage, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.
Graves played at Utah from 1969-71 and led the Utes with 45 catches as a senior. He graduated with a degree in business and entered the coaching ranks in 1975 as the tight ends and wide receivers coach at Northeast Missouri State. He split time between NE Missouri State, Western Illinois and New Mexico State before starting his 19-year stretch at Utah.
Graves and his wife, Michele, have a daughter Amber; son Marcus, and two grandchildren, Tenille and Isaiah.
A native of Los Angeles, Graves coached a total of 26 years on the collegiate level, including 19 years (1982-00) as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, the University of Utah. Graves moved on to the NFL in 2001 when the Buffalo Bills tabbed him to coach their receivers. Eric Moulds and Peerless Price both delivered 1,000-yard seasons for the Bills under Graves and Moulds put together the first 100-reception season in team history. In 2002, Moulds, Price and rookie Josh Reed combined to catch 231 passes for 3,053 yards and 21 scores.
After three seasons in Buffalo (2001-03), Graves spent a year in Cleveland (2004) and one in Detroit (2005). Graves did not coach in 2006, but returned to the NFL in ’07 with the Tennessee Titans, spending four seasons coaching a group that included Justin Gage, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.
Graves played at the University of Utah from 1969-71 and led the Utes with 45 catches as a senior. He graduated with a degree in business and entered the coaching ranks in 1975 as the tight ends and wide receivers coach at Northeast Missouri State. He split time between NE Missouri State, Western Illinois and New Mexico State before starting his 19-year stretch at Utah.
Graves and his wife, Michele, have a daughter Amber; son Marcus, and two grandchildren, Tenille and Isaiah.
A former halfback and split end at the University of Utah, the Chargers hired Graves to coach wide receivers in January.
Graves has spent the last 37 years coaching college and professionally, including 36 years coaching wide receivers. At his most recent stop in Carolina (2011-12), Steve Smith topped 1,000 yards both seasons under Graves, his first 1,000-yard campaigns since 2008. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, including 2011, Smith caught 152 passes for 2,568 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons while working under Graves.
A native of Los Angeles, Graves coached a total of 26 years on the collegiate level, including 19 years (1982-00) as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, the University of Utah. He moved on to the NFL in 2001 when the Buffalo Bills tabbed him to coach their receivers. Eric Moulds and Peerless Price both delivered 1,000-yard seasons for the Bills under Graves and Moulds put together the first 100-reception season in team history. In 2002, Moulds, Price and rookie Josh Reed combined to catch 231 passes for 3,053 yards and 21 scores for the Bills.
After three seasons in Buffalo (2001-03), Graves spent a year in Cleveland (2004) and one in Detroit (2005). Graves did not coach in 2006, but returned to the NFL in ’07 with the Tennessee Titans, spending four seasons coaching a group that included Justin Gage, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.
Graves played at Utah from 1969-71 and led the Utes with 45 catches as a senior. He graduated with a degree in business and entered the coaching ranks in 1975 as the tight ends and wide receivers coach at Northeast Missouri State. He split time between NE Missouri State, Western Illinois and New Mexico State before starting his 19-year stretch at Utah.
Graves and his wife, Michele, have a daughter Amber; son Marcus, and two grandchildren, Tenille and Isaiah.
