Longtime Texas A&M assistant coach Terry Price dies at 55

Terry Price, a Texas A&M football alumnus who spent the last 11 seasons serving as an Aggies assistant coach, died Friday, the school announced. He was 55.

“Terry was not only a great Aggie, football coach and recruiter, he was an even better husband, father and man,” head coach Jimbo Fisher said Friday in a statement. “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.”

Price played for Texas A&M under head coaches Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum from 1986-1989. He helped the Aggies win Southwest Conference titles in 1986 and 1987 and led the defensive line in tackles as a junior and a senior. He played two seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, before returning to Texas A&M as a volunteer coach in 1992. Price graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

"A legend on the playing field and the sidelines, it is with heavy hearts we mourn the loss of Terry Price and offer our deepest condolences to Coach Price's family and friends," the Aggies tweeted on Friday.

Price joined head coach Kevin Sumlin's Texas A&M staff in 2012 as the defensive line coach and took over as the defensive ends coach in 2015. He remained on the defensive staff after Fisher took over in 2018.

He said coming to Texas A&M was a "life-changing decision for me."

"Not only did I have a chance to play football here, but I met lifelong friends, got a great degree and at the end of the day, I’m an Aggie for life," he said in 2018. "So blessed and excited to be a part of Coach Fisher’s staff."

Price also had coaching stints at Western Kentucky (1994), Ole Miss (1995-98 and 2009-11). Auburn (1999-2008) and Texas Tech (2011). He coached NFL standouts Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M) and Greg Hardy (Ole Miss).

Garrett paid tribute to Price on Saturday.

"I truly cannot express the impact this man made in my life," Garrett tweeted. "Not only as an athlete but more importantly as a man, brother, and son. From his commitment to God, to grilling and mentorship, he embodied everything a great man should be. My family and I will always miss his presence."

Johnny Manziel added that Price was "one of the best coaches I had the privilege to be around. You will be truly missed my friend."

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who had Price on his coaching staff at Texas Tech, Auburn and Ole Miss and was a longtime friend, also made a statement.

"Terry Price was one of the best line coaches of our time. I was proud to work alongside him for more than a decade, and with his leadership we accomplished amazing things at three different college football programs. Much more importantly he was a close friend for nearly three decades. I join millions of football fans in mourning his loss and I want to offer my condolences to Kenya, Alexander, and Devin, who were the center of his universe."

Price is survived by his wife Kenya Hodges and two sons – Alexander and Devin, who played wide receiver for Texas A&M from 2020-2022. Devin Price committed to Florida Atlantic University as a transfer in May.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Terry Price, former Texas A&M star and longtime Aggies assistant, dies