The Best NFL Team Coaches Who Have a College Degree

January 14, 2025

On average, a career in the NFL lasts 3 years. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but while this career pays a lot, it usually comes with a short span. That being said, football players are frequently pursuing college education to have options once their career at the NFL is over.

Some of the players become coaches. Others choose to study in schools and universities after they complete their football career, or become a student-athlete while doing so. While being an NFL athlete doesn’t come with the requirement for high education, many of the professionals in this field, including coaches, have pursued college education.

Yes, this is actually the case! Coaches have a degree under their sleeve, a backup plan in case they decide to switch careers. The knowledge obtained in college can also come very handy when you’re a coach. In this article, we’ll list the top NFL team coaches with a college degree. But first, let’s see how people manage to juggle the two with a busy schedule.

Is College an Option When You Play Football Professionally?

If you are wondering whether you should tackle higher education when you plan to be a professional athlete, the answer is yes. College is a big challenge, and many students dread the busy schedule, thinking it will prevent them from practicing and cause them to lose their chance at playing in the NFL.

This doesn’t have to be the case. Getting a college degree is very useful for athletes, too, and you can easily beat the challenge that comes with a busy schedule if you ask for help from professional writers. Essay writing service delivers quality work whenever you need it, so you can simply get assignment help from EduBirdie and free up time for practice. This way, you can get your degree and pursue a career in the NFL, giving you great prospects for later on.

NFL Coaches with a College Degree

Most people look at the athletic qualifications and experience when they research coaches. Another important information to learn is their education. Coaches often use the skills obtained in college in their current work, and here are some of the best NFL coaches with a degree.

1. Kliff Kingsbury

Kliff Timothy Kingsbury is an American coach in the NFL and a former quarterback. He was one of the quarterbacks to put up high numbers at Texas Tech. Kliff played under coach Spike Dykes for the Red Raiders and completed 1,229 of 1,881 passes with 96 touchdowns.

What you probably don’t know is that Kingsbury has a post-graduate education. He received a scholarship and was one of 14 football players that got one from the National Football Foundation. In addition to this, Kliff was awarded with the Academic All-America Player of the Year honors back in 2002. This is the highest academic honor for Texas Tech players.

2. John Harbaugh

If you follow the NFL, you definitely know of Harbaugh, the former varsity football player. John played as a defensive back at the Miami University in Ohio. He graduated back in 1984 and got a degree in political science. Later on, he earned a master’s degree in physical education at the Western Michigan University.

3. Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera was a consensus All-American linebacker in California when he got a football scholarship and played for the Golden Bears. At one point, he held career tackles records and Cal’s all-time sack record. Even now, he holds the record for most tackles for loss per season. In 2020, he was named the 30th head coach in franchise history of the NFL.

4. Matt Patricia

We all know Matt as a brilliant coach for the NFL, but do you know that he has a Bachelor degree in Aeronautical Engineering? He played at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1992 to 1995. Then, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1996.

5. Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn studied at the Salisbury State University, a famous Division III school. Between 1990 and 1993, he played on the football team at the university as a defensive lineman and was a four-year starter in football and track and field. In 2005, Dan was inducted in the Hall of Fame for Salisbury University Athletics.

6. Zac Taylor

Zachary Taylor has a bachelor’s in communication studies, a degree he received in 2006 after studying in the University of Nebraska. He is now the head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.

Wrapping Up

Did you know this about the NFL coaches? Most of them have a college degree, proving that being an athlete and a student is not an impossible endeavor. With persistence and good organizational skills, there’s no reason why you cannot join this group of athletes and get your degree.

Author’s Bio

Kathy Mercado is a sports critic who writes for various journals and online sources. As a child, she attended every match she could with her father, which is where she got her knowledge and love for sports. Today, she’s a well-read sports writer who contributes to various blogs and websites.