Terry Price, Texas A&M’s defensive ends coach and former Aggies standout, died Friday, the school announced. He was 55.
No cause of death was given in the school’s announcement.
Widely considered one of the best defensive line coaches in the nation, Price spent nearly three full decades as an assistant in the SEC. Beginning the bulk of his work on the sidelines in 1995, the Texas A&M alum spent until 2011 with Auburn and Ole Miss. He then joined the staff at his alma mater the following year as the school made its way into the SEC.
“Terry was not only a great Aggie, football coach and recruiter, he was an even better husband, father and man,” Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher said in statement from the university. “The impact he had on this program and his players is immeasurable. Our football family has suffered an incredible loss. We will continue to hold Kenya and the boys in our thoughts and prayers.”
Upon taking over the defensive line at Texas A&M, Price turned the unit into a powerhouse, earning a reputation as a strong recruiter. Early in Price’s tenure with the program, the Aggies brought in No. 1 recruit Myles Garrett, who later became the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
All in all, Price played a part in recruiting nine future NFL draft picks, all of whom were drafted in the first four rounds.
Prior to his journey through the SEC as a coach, Price played a pivotal role on the Texas A&M teams that won multiple Southwest Conference championships in the late 1980s. He led the Aggies in tackles, earning honorable mention All-America honors as a senior in ’89 before going on to play in the NFL for two seasons.
Price is survived by his wife Kenya and two sons, Alexander and Devin.