Clayton Lopez returns to the Raiders as defensive backs coach in 2012. Lopez, who coached in a similar capacity with the Silver and Black for two seasons from 2004-05, has served as an NFL assistant for 13 seasons.
Clayton Lopez returns to the Raiders as defensive backs coach in 2012. Lopez, who coached in a similar capacity with the Silver and Black for two seasons from 2004-05, has served as an NFL assistant for 13 seasons.
Lopez was most recently with the St. Louis Rams, where he served as defensive backs/cornerbacks coach for three seasons (2009-11). In 2010, he oversaw one of the NFL’s most improved secondaries as the Rams finished seventh in the NFL in opponent-completion percentage (57.5) and ninth in opponent-passer rating (80.4).
Lopez spent three seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Lions, coaching defensive backs (2006-07) and serving as assistant secondary coach (2008). He coached defensive backs for the Raiders for two seasons, working with Pro Bowlers Charles Woodson and Ray Buchanon, and tutoring Nnamdi Asomugha. In Lopez’s two-year stint with the Raiders, the team’s pass defense improved from 30th to 18th, tying for the fourth-highest improvement in the NFL team rankings in 2005. The Silver and Black’s improvement of 42.6 yards per game in pass defense also was fourth in the league.
Lopez began his NFL coaching career with the Seattle Seahawks, serving as defensive assistant/quality control for three seasons (1999-01). He was promoted to assistant secondary coach and spent two seasons (2002-03) in that role with the Seahawks. In Lopez’s five seasons with Seattle, the defense recorded 96 interceptions and 433 passes defensed, both of which ranked sixth in the NFL during that span.
His first coaching position came as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Nevada (1995-96). He later served as running backs coach/recruiting coordinator (1997-98).
As a defensive back at Nevada, Lopez helped the Wolf Pack to three conference titles from 1991-94. He earned his master’s degree in counseling and physical education in 1999, and his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995. A Los Angeles native, Lopez lettered in football, basketball and track at Serra High School in Gardena, Calif.
