Jack Easterby

A Columbia, South Carolina native, Easterby lettered in basketball and golf at A.C. Flora High School and Newberry College and studied theology at Erskine College and Liberty University.[1] He served as an operations intern with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the summer of 2004.[2]

In 2005, while working as an academic tutor at the University of South Carolina, Easterby was hired by Dave Odom to serve as the "character coach" of Gamecocks men's basketball team, and worked extensively with Dawn Staley and the women's team.[3]

After leaving South Carolina, Easterby served the Kansas City Chiefs as chaplain, where he ministered to the team following the murder-suicide of Jovan Belcher. Placekicker Ryan Succop, who attended South Carolina when Easterby was there, recommended him to Scott Pioli for the position.[4]

Easterby was hired New England Patriots in 2013, in part to deal with the Aaron Hernandez crisis. Throughout his tenure, he was the only man in the league to hold a paid position of character development coach. He described his work as "to serve the players mentally, physically and help them as people”.[5] He also helped the team with draft evaluations, helped orient new players, and held Bible studies and religious services. He grew close to Bill Belichick, and by his fourth year, the football operations staff reportedly reported to him. [3]

Represented by agent Bob LaMonte, Easterby desired to serve in a player personnel capacity in the NFL. He was hired by the Houston Texans in April, 2019, after they outbid the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins for his services.[6] Several members of the Patriots organization were reportedly furious and felt betrayed at Easterby's departure.[7] He soon forged a close relationship with owner Cal McNair and, just two months into his tenure, he reportedly played a role in the dismissal of General Manager Brian Gaine.[8] Houston Chronicle sportswriter Brian T. Smith described Easterby as being involved in "Everything. Personnel. Planning. Player pep talks. Daily life conversations, media-access issues and the general, overall state of the Texans."[9] He, along with coach and general manager Bill O'Brien, worked to overhaul the roster, with Easterby handling the contract negotiations.[10]

On January 28, 2020, Easterby was put in charge of football operations, handling "everything from team logistics to salary cap management to sport science, equipment, video, player development and security for football operations." He reportedly was a force behind the trade of wideout DeAndre Hopkins, saying “we need to move on from that person.”[3] After O'Brien was fired on October 5, 2020, Easterby assumed the GM role on an interim basis,[10] continuing until Nick Caserio, with whom he shares an agent, was hired.

A critical Sports Illustrated cover story by Jenny Vrentas and Greg Bishop thrust Easterby into the national spotlight. He responded to the story by reportedly telling Texans employees that he threatened to sue Sports Illustrated for defamation and had obtained a list of SI's sources for the story. He also reportedly blamed the Kraft family, his former employers with the Patriots, for his negative press. Owner Cal McNair continues to support him, and says that he will continue to manage the non-business side of the Texans' football operations.[11] Despite the criticism, Easterby has been praised by multiple Texans players, including Deshaun Watson.[12]

The son of Jimmy and Betsy Easterby, Jack Easterby is married to Holly, and has two daughters.[1]