Early playing career

Sloan initially bypassed football for basketball, enrolling at Fresno City College, a junior college in Fresno, California. He played basketball for the Rams as a freshman and sophomore, earning All-Conference academic honors both years. Sloan then transferred to the University of New Mexico, where he played college football during his junior and senior years for Lobos head coach Dennis Franchione. He earned All-WAC honorable mention in 1993, and All-WAC first team honors in 1994.

Following his senior year, Sloan participated in the Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray Football Classic. He was also selected to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine prior to the 1995 NFL Draft.

NFL career

Sloan was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (70th overall) of the 1995 National Football League Draft. He was the seventh tight end drafted. Sloan played for the Lions for seven seasons from 1995-2001.

Sloan's best season came in 1999 when he had 47 receptions for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the 2000 NFC Pro Bowl team. He was the first tight end from the 1995 draft class to make a Pro Bowl, and was the first Lions tight end to make a Pro Bowl since David Hill in 1979. Sloan was also named as an alternate to the 2001 NFC Pro Bowl team.

Sloan signed a four-year, $7.05 million contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2002. He was released by the Saints following the 2003 season, and ultimately retired

During his career Sloan dealt with numerous injuries including chronic knee and toe pain that required several surgeries. He also suffered a broken hand and had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder.

Sloan finished his NFL career with 192 receptions for 2,151 yards and 15 touchdowns over 9 seasons.

NFL stats

Year	Team	GAmes	Receptions	Yards	Yards per Reception	Longest Reception	Touchdowns	First Downs	Fumbles	Fumbles Lost
1995	DET	16	17	184	10.8	24	1	9	0	0
1996	DET	4	7	51	7.3	18	0	2	0	0
1997	DET	14	29	264	9.1	25	0	7	0	0
1998	DET	10	11	146	13.3	33	1	8	0	0
1999	DET	16	47	591	12.6	74	4	27	0	0
2000	DET	15	32	379	11.8	59	2	20	0	0
2001	DET	15	37	409	11.1	27	7	24	0	0
2002	NO	16	12	127	10.6	29	0	6	0	0
Career		106	192	2,151	11.0	74	15	103	0	0

Coaching career

In 2009, Sloan embarked on a coaching career, working as an assistant special teams and tight ends coach at Southwest Baptist University, an independent NCAA Division II school in Missouri. Sloan had enrolled in the NFLPA Coaching Intern program, which works with Division II/III schools to help former players begin a career in coaching.

In 2010, Sloan joined Rice University as a graduate assistant under Owls head coach David Bailiff. Baliff had previously served as an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico when Sloan was a player. He remained on staff for the 2011 season as a quality control assistant.

In 2012, Sloan was promoted to tight ends coach and assistant special teams coach. Sloan notably coached two tight ends who were both drafted in 2013: Luke Willson and Vance McDonald.

In 2014, Sloan picked up the title of recruiting coordinator in addition to coaching the tight ends. His primary recruiting area is the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex

Personal

Sloan and his ex-wife Jennifer have two daughters, Trinity and Bently. He has since married Angela Thompson of Houston, TX.

Sloan remains a fan of the Detroit Lions and keeps in touch with several former teammates. On September 30, 2008, he served as an honorary captain for a game against the Chicago Bears.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]