A hard hitting, high motor linebacker out of Palm Beach Florida, Te’von Coney was one of the most sought after prospects in the nation in 2014. He received 28 scholarship offers from schools far and wide including Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia. But he preferred to push his way out of his comfort zone and he accepted Brian Kelly’s offer to come to South Bend and enrolled early in January of 2015.
He excelled on special teams in 2015 and saw more and more action as the season wore on. He suffered a shoulder injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State that kept him off the practice field in the spring and slowed his progress in 2016 as a sophomore. By mid season however, he had solidified his role in the middle of the Irish defense and ended the season with 62 total tackles, 4th best on the team.
During 2017 spring practice, Coney took a big step forward under new defensive coordinator Mike Elko and position coach Clark Lea. The momentum carried through to the regular season. The Irish overall were much improved on the field over the 2016 year, and Coney led the way for the defense. He notched a team high 116 tackles, the most by any ND defender since Manti Te’o in 2011. He saved his best overall performance for the Citrus Bowl against LSU. That day he had 17 tackles, the top mark of any bowl game defender that year.
Coney decided to return for his Senior season. He again led the Irish in tackles with 107 and was a key player on a defense that ranked nationally among the elite and ran to an undefeated regular season and to the College Football playoffs. Just like in his junior year he saved his best for last. Against Clemson in the CFP he notched 16 tackles and a sack.
After his days at ND he spent some time with the Raiders and in the USFL.
On the academic side, Coney was an outstanding student at ND graduating in just three years with his degree in philosophy and business economics. He has had success with several business interests including the Onora Whiskey brand, and is author of the book, Breaking through the Barriers of Success (2022).