Tremayne Henry joins the Benedict College football staff as defensive line coach.
Prior to joining the Benedict football program, Henry spent the past two seasons at Winston-Salem State University, where he was able to assist in improving the defense during his time there as the defensive line coach. During his first season with the Rams, he produced two all-conference players in Jarrell Bright and Tyron Smith. Last season, he helped lead the Ram defense to be ranked No. 6 nationally in total defense.
Henry spent four seasons at Hampton University where he served as the team’s defensive line coach, and also had a stint as the team’s interim defensive coordinator. During his tenure, Henry helped the Pirates defense to consistently rank in the top five in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in both total yards per game and rushing defense. In 2016, the Pirates were especially tough, finishing the season ranked second in the MEAC in total yards per game allowed (340.5) and third in rushing yards per game allowed (159.0). He has also helped to guide the development of numerous All-MEAC performers, including Steven Smith, Jr. (DL, third team All-MEAC, 2017) and Miles Grooms (DL, First Team All-MEAC, 2016).
Before joining the staff at Hampton, Henry was the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Saint Augustine’s University. He spent eight years as the team’s defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, and totaled more than a decade with the Falcons. Under his tutelage, Saint Augustine’s consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally in defense. Henry’s most celebrated pupil at Saint Augustine’s was Alex Hall, an All-American defensive end for the Falcons in 2006 and 2007, who was drafted by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns in 2008. Hall is the Falcons’ only NFL draft pick since the football program was re-started in 2002. Under his guidance, the Falcons are consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense. Simply put, Henry was one of the top defensive assistant coaches in the nation regardless of level as evidenced by his 2014 AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year nomination.
Henry, whose specialty is the defensive line, has produced 10 All-Americans and 12 All-CIAA players. One of the players was Shonquez Nelson, a stout defensive tackle who led all NCAA Division II players in sacks per game in 2013. The previous year, Javarous Faulk, who is legally deaf, ranked second nationally in Division II in sacks per game.
Henry was also the offensive line coach at Elizabeth City State University from 2001-02, but began his coaching career at the high school ranks in N.C.
As a player, Henry was a three-time college football letterman at Mars Hill College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1994.
In addition to coaching, Henry spends time as a youth mentor. He is a former police officer, correctional officer and juvenile court counselor, and his hobbies are fishing, listening to music, cooking and attending drag races.
A native of Statesville, N.C., he is the oldest of four children born to Vance W. Henry Sr. (deceased) and Lajune Henry (Jerry) Turner. Henry is married to Latoya (Mack) and they have three children: Micah (9) Olivia (5) and William (4).
