Ron Meeks is an American football coach who has had a long and distinguished career, primarily in the National Football League (NFL), specializing in defensive roles. He is best known for his tenure as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, where he was a key part of the coaching staff that led the team to victory in Super Bowl XLI.
Born on December 20, 1954, Meeks began his coaching career at the collegiate level. He served as a defensive back coach at various universities, including Miami (Ohio), Central State, and Duke, before making the jump to the NFL.
Meeks first entered the NFL coaching ranks in 1991 as the defensive backs coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He held that position for three seasons before moving to the Washington Redskins in 1994, again as the defensive backs coach. Subsequent NFL stops included the St. Louis Rams (1996-1997), the Atlanta Falcons (1998-2000), and the Dallas Cowboys (2001), always in a defensive back coaching capacity.
His most prominent role came in 2002 when he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts under head coach Tony Dungy. During his seven seasons with the Colts (2002-2008), Meeks oversaw a defense that consistently complemented the team's high-powered offense. He played a crucial role in developing defensive strategies that helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI in the 2006 season.
Following his successful stint with the Colts, Meeks joined the Carolina Panthers as their defensive coordinator for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He later returned to the coaching staff of the Indianapolis Colts as a senior defensive assistant in 2011. Meeks has also served in various other coaching capacities, including with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His extensive experience and tactical knowledge have made him a respected figure in professional football coaching.