Cameron Achord enters his fourth season overall with the New England Patriots in 2021, and his second as special teams coordinator. Achord served as assistant special teams coach from 2018-19. Achord joined the Patriots after five seasons with Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he served in roles as offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends coach, as well as recruiting coordinator. In 2014, Achord's kickoff return unit ranked third and the punt return unit ranked second in the nation in return average. In 2016 under his tutelage, tight end Ravian Pierce earned All-American honors. Achord also played a key role in Patriots special teams blocking a franchise record four punts in 2019 and the team allowing just 71 punt return yards on only 12 punt returns in 2021.
Prior to his stint at Southwest, Achord spent the 2010-11 seasons as a special teams graduate assistant, and worked with the linebackers at the University of Southern Mississippi. He spent the 2012 season as an offensive graduate assistant with the Eagles, working with the quarterbacks.
A four-year starter at free safety at Belhaven University, Achord served as a team captain in 2008 and 2009. He was a two-time Academic All-American honoree and twice named a Mid-South Conference Player of the Week. In addition, he was an All-Conference back in 2009 and an Honorable Mention back in 2007. In 2010, he participated in the NAIA Senior Classic.
Achord is a Brookhaven, Mississippi, native and 2005 graduate of Brookhaven Academy. He is also a 2009 graduate of Belhaven University with degrees in computer information science and sports administration. He received a master's degree in sports management from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2011.
