What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
A defensive back in the NFL, Don Shula played for the Cleveland Browns in 1951. He also played for the Baltimore Colts and Washington Commanders before becoming a coach at the University of Virginia and then the University of Kentucky for one year each. Then at only 33 years old, he was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Colts. Afterward, from 1970 to 1995, Shula coached the Miami Dolphins.
Ken Wisehunt played as a tight end in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons from 1985 to 1988 after which he spent time playing with the Washington Commanders and the New York Jets. He began coaching at Vanderbilt in 1996 and evolved from there. In 2007, he was hired by the NFL team the Cardinals.
Dan Reeves holds nine Super Bowl appearances as a player and/or coach. He was originally a quarterback in college at South Carolina and was then signed into the NFL by the Dallas Cowboys. He served as an assistant coach with the Cowboys from 1972 to 1980 before becoming the head coach of the Denver Broncos and other teams in the following years.
In 1953, Ringo was drafted from Syracuse University as a center for the Green Bay Packers. Then from 1969 to 1971 he served as offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears and had subsequent stints elsewhere. In 2007, Ringo passed away.
Tom Dungy was originally signed in 1977 as a free agent for the Pittsburgh Steelers to be a safety. In 1979, he was traded to San Francisco. Then, from 1981 to 1983, Dungy served as a defensive backs coach for Pittsburgh. His first head coaching role was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001.
Norm Van Brocklin was the Los Angeles Rams Quarterback from 1949 to 1957 and then played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1958 to 1960. In 1961 he became the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings until 1966 when he became head coach of the Atlanta Falcons (until 1974). In 1983, he suffered a stroke and sadly passed away.
Jeff Fisher was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1980 draft. He played as a defensive back and punt returner until an injury sidelined him in 1985. During the time he was injured, Fisher began learning under Buddy Ryan, eventually following Ryan to the Philadelphia Eagles as a secondary coach, then rising to defensive coordinator, and later becoming head coach of the Houston/Tennessee franchise.
Playing as a corner and safety in the NFL, Nolan's career lasted for about nine years. Later, Nolan was head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1978 to 1980. He passed away in 2007.
Jauron was picked by the Detroit Lions in 1973 and became a starter. Until 1977, he played for Detroit and then joined the Cincinnati Bengals from 1978 to 1980. In 1985, he became a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills and from 1986 to 1994 he held the same role but for the Green Bay Packers. Over the next few years, he helped coach various teams. Then in 2006, he became head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Jauron later joined the Cleveland Browns as their defensive coordinator.
Herm Edwards played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1977 to 1986. Then, from 1987-1989 he became a secondary coach at San Jose State. He then became a scout and secondary coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1990 to 1995. In 2001, he became the New York Jets head coach.
From 1950 to 1955, Tom Landry played in the NFL for the New York Giants. In 1955, he retired from being a player and focused on coaching. From 1956 to 1959 he served as the Giants' defensive coordinator and then became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 1960.
Chuck Noll was a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns from 1953-1959. Noll coached the defensive line for the San Diego Chargers from 1960 until 1961, then from 1962 until 1965 he was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts. He finally became head coach of the Steelers in 1969.
Art Shell played for the Oakland Raiders from 1968 to 1982. In 1983, he became the assistant coach for the Raiders, and in 1989, he was promoted to head coach.
Marty Schottenheimer played linebacker for the Bills from 1965 to 1968. In 1974, he started coaching linebackers for the Portland Storm in the World Football League. He eventually moved teams and held various coaching roles until 1984 when the Browns made him their head coach. In 2001, he next coached the Washington Commanders.
Bill Cowher joined the NFL in 1979 and played for the Philadelphia Eagles. His coaching career began in 1985 when he served as special teams coach for the Browns. In 1992, his head coaching dreams became a reality when the Pittsburgh Steelers offered him a role.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Jim Haslett in 1979 as a linebacker. After his career as an athlete, he went into coaching. He started as the assistant coach at the University of Buffalo from 1988 to 1990. In 1993, he started coaching in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders, followed by the New Orleans Saints. In 2000, he became the Saints' head coach.
Jack Del Rio started out playing for the New Orleans Saints in 1985. He had a very successful career as a player. He became the strength and conditioning coach for the Saints in 1997 and then spent time with several other teams. In 2003, he became the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach.
Munchak spent his entire career with the Tennessee Oilers from 1982 to 1993. In 1994, he became the Oilers' offensive and quality control coach. In 2011, he was made head coach.
Mike Singletary is best known for his NFL playing career as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears. After retiring in 1992 and being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, he transitioned to coaching, and from 2008 to 2010, he coached the San Francisco 49ers. Singletary is currently the linebackers coach and assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
This Super Bowl champ has been both a player and a head coach in the NFL. He served as a player for the Denver Broncos and became a coach in 1992 for the running back at Texas A&M. Later, in 2006, he was offered a head coach role by the Houston Texans.
From 1981 to 1985, Leslie Frazier was a defensive back for the Chicago Bears. After a few coaching opportunities, the Minnesota Vikings chose Frazier to be their defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2010. Then in 2011, he became the full-time head coach.
Jim Harbaugh was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1987. After playing for years, Harbaugh began his coaching career at Western Kentucky where he was an assistant coach from 1994 to 2001. In 2011, he rejoined the NFL as a head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Today, he coaches for the Los Angeles Chargers.
In 1956, the Green Bay Packers drafted Forrest Gregg. He played with them until 1970. In 1972, he began his coaching career as an offensive line coach with the San Diego Chargers. Years later, from 1984 to 1987, Gregg coached the Packers.
Raymond Barry played for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967. He took on a head coach role for the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989.
First drafted into the NFL in 1961 by the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka went on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. From 1982 until 1992, Ditka served as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Bart Starr played for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 until 1971. Then from 1975 until 1983, Starr took on a head coach role for the Packers.
Otto Graham was part of the Cleveland Browns in the AAFC from 1946 to 1949 before joining the NFL in 1950. His first head coach role was with the Washington Commanders.
From 1937 to 1952, Sammy Baugh played in the NFL for the Washington Commanders. He served as head coach of the New York Titans from 1960 to 1961, then the Houston Oilers from 1964 to 1965.
Sources: (ESPN) (B/R Insiders)
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In a ninth-round pick, Mike Mularkey was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. He was waived before the final cuts and ended up playing for the Minnesota Vikings from 1983 to 1988. After subsequent years of playing for various other teams, in 1994, Mularkey became the tight end coach for Tampa Bay until 1995. Years later, and after other coaching opportunities, he served as head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2004 to 2005. After a few additional career moves, Mularkey became head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.
Throughout history, NFL legends have dominated the field as players. They have won countless awards, inspired millions of people, and changed the world of American football as we know it. Many of these players have elevated their careers and become influential head coaches too. This list ranges from Mike Mularkey to Art Shell, and far beyond, and will share insights into each coach, their career as a player, and their time in coaching.
Curious about who made the list? Click through now to find out.
American football players who became coaches
From athletes to advisors
LIFESTYLE Sports
Throughout history, NFL legends have dominated the field as players. They have won countless awards, inspired millions of people, and changed the world of American football as we know it. Many of these players have elevated their careers and become influential head coaches too. This list ranges from Mike Mularkey to Art Shell, and far beyond, and will share insights into each coach, their career as a player, and their time in coaching.
Curious about who made the list? Click through now to find out.