UNCP Athletics

A 17-year coaching veteran, including 11 seasons at the collegiate level, Chi-Emeke Worthington joined the UNC Pembroke football staff as its defensive backs coach in January 2020.
 
He comes to Pembroke after spending three seasons (2017-19) as an assistant coach at nearby Johnson C. Smith. He also has coaching stops at Ouachita Baptist and Walsh as well.
 
Worthington provided a bit of electricity in three seasons at the helm of the Johnson C. Smith defensive backs as the Golden Bulls registered 26 interceptions over that span, including 11 pickoffs in 2017 that helped fuel the nation's third-best passing defense. Redshirt junior Cameron Willis hauled in five interceptions and broke up seven passes in 2019 on the way to All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference laurels.
 
Prior to returning to North Carolina, Worthington served a pair of roles on the defensive staff at Walsh in North Canton, Ohio, including a stint as the defensive coordinator for the Cavaliers. With Worthington calling the defensive formations in 2017, Walsh ranked 39^th, nationally, in passing yards allowed, and three players went on to earn all-conference accolades from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
 
Worthington has played a role in the development of seven professional players over his coaching career, including Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) who was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 National Football League Draft.
 
A four-year letterwinner at Johnson C. Smith from 2000-03, Worthington was decorated with Football Gazette all-south region honors at free safety as a senior in 2003. A member of the honors program at JCSU. He earned dean's list recognition four times, as well as a spot on the CIAA's all-academic team.
 
Worthington earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Johnson C. Smith in 2004, and completed his graduate work in athletic administration and cultural studies at Iowa in 2007.