Wilbert Montgomery

Wilbert Montgomery was named the running backs coach of the Baltimore Ravens on January 31, 2008. Montgomery has 21 years of NFL experience (9 as a player) and has built an impressive track record in his 12 years coaching. Working with current 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz for much of his career, Montgomery has a reputation for developing well-rounded RBs who excel as receivers and pass-protectors, in addition to their rushing ability. He joins the Ravens after 2 successful seasons with the Detroit Lions, which were preceded by 9 seasons with the St. Louis Rams.

In his 2 years with Detroit, injuries forced Montgomery to work with a total of 5 different starting RBs, including 3 in 2007. Still, 2 Lions RBs (Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett) went on to record 100-yard games in 2007.

In his 1st season with Detroit (2006), Montgomery helped Jones evolve into one of the NFL's best dual-threat RBs. Jones was 4th among RBs with 61 receptions before being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 13. He was also 6th in the NFC with 1,209 yards from scrimmage (689 rushing, 520 receiving).

In his 9 seasons with the Rams, Montgomery helped architect one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history. During his tenure, he helped cultivate 2 of the league's elite RBs: Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson. In 2005, his final season in St. Louis, Montgomery coached Jackson to his 1st 1,000-yard season. The year prior, he teamed Jackson, then a rookie, with Faulk, to form a dynamic RB tandem that combined for nearly 1,500 yards.

With the Rams' acquisition of Faulk in 1999, Montgomery coached his 1st 1,000-yard RB. Faulk compiled an NFL-record 2,429 yards from scrimmage that year and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The Rams boasted the NFL's No. 1 offense (5th in rushing) on the way to their 1st World Championship in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Montgomery coached the Rams' TEs from 2000-02 before switching back to RBs in 2003. Over his 9-year tenure with St. Louis, the Rams boasted the NFL's No. 1 offense (378.8 yards per game) and ranked 3rd in scoring (25 points per game).

Prior to joining the NFL coaching ranks, Montgomery was a premier RB in his 9-year professional career. In 8 seasons with Philadelphia, Montgomery virtually rewrote the Eagles record books. He holds the Eagles' franchise record for career rushing yards (6,538), career rushing attempts (1,465), yards in a season (1,512 in 1979), attempts in a season (338 in 1979), career 100-yard rushing games (26), 100-yard rushing games in a season (8 in 1981) and TDs in a game (4). In 1979, Montgomery led the NFL in combined yards from scrimmage with 2,012, garnering his 2nd-consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. He played his final season with the Detroit Lions in 1985. He was an inaugural inductee of the Philadelphia Eagles Honor Roll in 1987.

Philadelphia drafted Montgomery out of Abilene Christian in the 6th round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He was a 4-year starter at RB for his alma mater and set the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics record for career TDs with 76. In 1973, he set the record for TDs by a freshman with 37, leading the Wildcats to the NAIA Division I National Championship. He also lettered in track as a sprinter. Montgomery was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Born 9/16/54 in Greenville, MS, Montgomery attended Greenville (MS) HS. He is one of 4 brothers with NFL experience: Cleotha (Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland/Los Angeles); Tyrone (Oakland) and Fred (Kansas City and Philadelphia). He and his wife, Patti, have 3 children: twins Brendan and Briana, and a son, Tavian. Montgomery also has a daughter, Sherrita, and a son, Derron.