Yet another Pike County native is headed to the NFL after reports broke over the weekend that the Arizona Cardinals were hiring Charles Henderson High School graduate Zac Etheridge.
Etheridge — who served as the Miami Hurricanes’ defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach in 2025 — will serve as cornerbacks coach for the Cardinals. Etheridge won’t be the only Pike County native in the NFL coaching ranks as he joins former Goshen football star Derrick Foster. Foster has been a coach in the NFL since 2021 and currently serves as running backs coach with the Dallas Cowboys.
Etheridge was a star defensive back and Alabama-Mississippi All-Star at Charles Henderson. He went on to become a four-year starter at Auburn, helping the Tigers win the 2010 National Championship.
Etheridge broke his neck in his junior season at Auburn but managed to return to the starting lineup less than a year later as a captain of that championship team. He was Freshman All-American in 2007 and ended his collegiate career with 261 total tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sack, four interceptions, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown. He was also awarded the James Owens Courage Award — awarded annually to a player who demonstrates courage in the face of adversity at Auburn — as well.