Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer among 128 former NFL players coaching high school football

Former players often make great coaches.

The experience of playing at the collegiate and professional levels often give these former players something to teach the new generation of players.

That is always the case in high school football. Former NFL players leading high school programs have always been a popular way for the former players to stay attached to the game, while also helping the next crop of players.

Here’s a look at the former NFL players coaching high school football:

Former NFL players who coach high school football

C.J. Anderson, Benicia (Benicia, Calif.): Former Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams running back took over the Panthers in February 2025. Rushed for 3,497 yards and 22 touchdowns and is a Super Bowl 50 champion.
Jason Ankrah, Great Mills (Great Mills, Md.): The former Houston Texan has led the Hornets since 2023, including the program’s first playoff berth in the first season of taking over.
Don Barclay, Seneca Valley (Harmony, Pa.): Following an eight-year NFL career, Barclay was hired by his former high school in February of 2025.
Lew Barnes, Olympian (Chula Vista, Calif.): The former kick return specialist was hired by the Eagles in March of 2025.
Nick Barnett, Del Norte (San Diego, Calif.): The former first-round pick spent 13 years in the NFL and has served as the head coach of Del Norte since 2023.
Jason Belser, Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.): Belser was hired by The Benjamin School in 2025 following a successful 11-year NFL career, which included two interceptions in the postseason.
Tyler Brayton, Arapahoe (Centennial, Colo.): The 2003 first-round pick is serving as the head coach for the Warriors.
Bucky Brooks, Granada Hills Charter (Granada Hills, Calif.): The 1994 second-round pick has built Granada Hills into a powerhouse since taking over as the head coach in 2019, with the use of a traditional double-wing offense.
Shawn Bryson, Asheville School (Independent) (Asheville, N.C.): Following a successful NFL career from 1999 to 2006, Bryson has served as the Blues’ head coach since 2020.
D.J. Campbell, Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.): Campbell took over a struggling program to lead it to back-to-back state titles in 2023 and 2024.
John Carlson, Gilbert Christian (Gilbert, Ariz.): After hauling in 210 passes for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns in his NFL career, Carlson has been leading the Knights since 2023.
Jason Carter, Valhalla (Valhalla, Calif.): Carter was named the head coach for Valhalla in March.
Sammie Coates, Columbia (Huntsville, Ala.): Coates took over the Eagles in January of 2025, looking to turn around a program that needed a rebuild after losing seasons.
Lavon Coleman, Sunnyside High School in Sunnyside, Washington: Despite playing in just one NFL game, Coleman has brought his experience to the high school ranks. He’s in his first year at Sunnyside after coaching at Interlake (Bellevue, Wash.) since 2024.
Rashard Cook, Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista, Calif.): After a career in which he totaled 57 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions over 47 games from 1999-2002, Cook was promoted to head coach of the high school superpower in 2024.
Josh Cooper, Casady School (Oklahoma City, Okla.): Cooper is in his first year as the head coach at Casady School after serving as the head coach at Hinton High School for one season.
Jared Crick, Cozad (Neb.): After recording 8.5 sacks in the NFL, Crick has served as Cozad’s head coach since 2025.
Reggie Davis, Dallas HSAA (Plano, Texas): Davis recorded 13 interceptions in two seasons with the Chargers in 1999 and 2000. He has served as the Angels’ head football coach since 2021.
Phil Dawson, Midland Christian (Midland, Texas): Dawson’s 21-year NFL career resulted in 441 career field goals made, the ninth most in NFL history.
Trent Dilfer, Lipscomb Academy: Dilfer returned to Lipscomb Academy following a brief stint as the UAB football head coach. The former NFL QB led the Mustangs from 2019 to 2022.
Koy Detmer, Somerset (Texas): The former NFL backup QB has followed in the footsteps of his father, whom he succeeded in 2021.
Ty Detmer, ALA-Gilbert North (Gilbert, Ariz.): The former Heisman-winning and NFL QB has led the Eagles since 2024.
Maurice Douglass, Springfield (Ohio): With a claim to fame of picking off Randall Cunningham in the playoffs, Douglas has led the Wildcats since 2014, turning the program into a powerhouse.
David Dunn, Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.): The former NFL wide receiver has spent a decade leading the Hornets and earning 100 career wins as a head coach.
Terrence Edwards, Mount Vernon (Atlanta, Ga.): Edwards was hired by Mount Vernon ahead of the 2024 high school football season.
Michael Egnew, Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.): The former NFL tight end has served as the Father Tolton head coach since 2019.
Keith Ellison, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.): Ellison helped lead his alma mater to a state championship in 2025.
John Fullington, North Mason (Belfair, Wash.): The former NFL offensive lineman made one NFL appearance. He has served as North Mason’s head coach since 2024.
Willie Gaston, North Shore (Houston, Texas): The former Baltimore Raven led the Mustangs — his alma mater — to a state championship in 2026.
Justin Geisinger, Franklin Road Academy (Nashville, Tenn.): The former NFL offensive lineman has been the head coach for FRA since 2022, following a 13-year stint at Pope John Paul II Preparatory School.
Joe Germaine, ALA-Mesa North (Mesa, Ariz.): The former NFL backup QB and Super Bowl XXXIV champion helped launch American Leadership Academy in 2024.
Kedric Golston, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.): After securing 224 tackles in a decade-long NFL career, Golston has led Stone Bridge since 2024.
Dan Goodspeed, Land O’ Lakes (Land O’ Lakes, Fla.): The former New York Jet has been the head coach at Land O’ Lakes since 2022.
Robbie Gould, Saint Viator (Arlington Heights, Ill.): The 2006 NFL Pro Bowler has been the head coach at Saint Viator since 2024, following a successful run at Rolling Meadows.
Jeff Graham, Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood, Ohio): The former NFL wide receiver led the Rams to the OHSAA Division III State Championship in 2017 and 2019.
T.J. Graham, St. David’s (Raleigh, N.C.): The former third-round pick WR has led T.J. Graham’s 8-man football program since July of 2025.
Jacquez Green, Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.): Green has translated his 1996 championship with the Florida Gators and NFL career by leading one of the strongest programs in Florida.
Jordan Gross, Fruitland (Idaho): The former NFL offensive lineman and three-time Pro Bowler has been coaching at his alma mater for the past four seasons.
Cary Harris, Calabasas (Calif.): One of his two NFL interceptions was off Peyton Manning. Now he leads Calabasas High School as the head coach.
Erik Harris, Gulf Breeze (Fla.): Following an eight-year NFL career that included 267 tackles and five interceptions, Harris has served as the Dolphins’ head coach since 2025.
Clinton Hart, Trinity Catholic (Ocala, Fla.): Not many can say they picked off both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Hart can. He has led Trinity Catholic since 2025.
Tim Hasselbeck, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.): Hasselbeck traded in his ESPN career for coaching with his brother, Matt, at Ensworth.
Matthew Hatchette, Huntington Beach (Calif.): After recording 60 receptions for 887 yards and six touchdowns in six NFL seasons, Hatchette now leads Huntington Beach.
Troy Hill, St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.): Hill returned to teaching at his alma mater in May of 2025.
Will Hunter, Nottingham (Syracuse, N.Y.): Hunter took over Nottingham’s football program in 2025 following a two-year stint in the NFL with the Vikings.
Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne (Fla.): The former Gator and Philadelphia Eagle briefly stepped down as the head coach at Hawthorne for a month in 2026 but quickly returned. He has led the Hornets to three state championships in 10 years as head coach.
Corey Jenkins, Dreher (Columbia, S.C.): The former Miami Dolphin returned to coach his alma mater in 2023, where he was a three-sport athlete.
Dennis Johnson, Woodford County (Versailles, Ky.): The 1997 USA TODAY National High School Defensive Player of the Year has been the head coach at Woodford County since 2015.
George Johnson, Asheville Christian Academy (Swannanoa, N.C.): Johnson was hired as the ACA head coach in 2025.
Jarvis Jones, Carver (Columbus, Ga.): The 2013 first-round pick returned to coaching at his alma mater in 2025. He led the Tigers to their first state title in 2007.
Napoleon Kaufman, Dublin (Calif.): The former 1995 first-round pick has been the head coach at Dublin since 2024.
Jeff Kelly, Saraland (Ala.): Kelly has amassed a 145–37 record leading Saraland since 2011 after being a seventh-round pick.
Kenny King, Daphne (Ala.): King has served as the Daphne head football coach since 2016, following an NFL career that saw him record 18 tackles and two sacks over 11 games, but was cut short due to injuries.
Jon Kitna, Lakota East (Liberty Township, Ohio): Following a 15-year NFL career, Kitna has served as the head coach for Lakota East since 2023. 29,745 yards and 169 touchdowns in the NFL.
Dan Koppen, La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.): The two-time Super Bowl champion has been the head coach for La Salle Academy since 2025, following a nationwide coaching search.
Kenard Lang, Leesburg (Fla.): The former first-round pick recorded 50 tackles in his NFL career and took over as the head coach in Leesburg in 2024.
Dave Logan, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.): After an NFL career in which he recorded 263 receptions for 4,250 yards and 24 touchdowns between 1976-84, Logan has continued his football success with 12 state titles.
Dwight Lowery, Soquel (Calif.): The former NFL defensive back led his alma mater to the CIF-CCS, regional, and state championship in 2023.
Anthony Lucas, Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, Ark.): The former Green Bay Packers wide receiver was hired as the head coach in March.
Tremain Mack, Jefferson (Auburn, Wash.): The 1999 Pro Bowler took over at Thomas Jefferson following a 13-year stint at Mount Rainier.
Jeremy Maclin, Kirkwood (Mo.): Following a nine-year NFL careeer when 514 catches for 6,835 yards and 49 touchdowns, Maclin returned to coaching at his alma mater in 2025.
Adrian Madise, Hillcrest (Dallas, Texas): Madise appeared in 11 games with the Broncos in 2003. In 2024, he was hired as the Hillcrest head football coach.
Jerome Mathis, Petersburg (Va.): The 2005 Pro Bowler was hired as the head coach at his alma mater in 2025.
Oscar McBride, Bishop (Bishop, Calif.): The former Arizona Cardinal tight end was named the head football coach by Bishop Montgomery in January.
Marvin McNutt, Keokuk (Iowa): McNutt was hired as the new head coach for Keokuk in 2024. He appeared in five games in the NFL across 2012-13.
Brad Meester, Mt. Vernon (Iowa): After a 14-year NFL career with the Jaguars, Meester has been the head coach for Mt. Vernon since 2024.
Zach Mettenberger, Father Ryan (Nashville, Tenn.): In his three-year NFL career, Mettenberger threw for 2,347 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was hired as the head coach at Father Ryan in February 2025.
Heath Miller, St. Anne’s-Belfield (Charlottesville, Va.): The two-time Pro Bowl tight end has served as the head coach at St. Anne’s-Belfield since 2024, leading the program to a state championship appearance in 2025.
Kory Minor, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.): Minor returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2025. He led the Lancers to a CIF title in 1992 as a player.
Rod Milstead, Milford (Del.): The Super Bowl XXIX champion was named the Milford head coach in March 2026.
Matt Morgan, Plum (Pittsburgh, Pa.): Morgan has led Plum High School since 2013.
Captain Munnerlyn, Chambers (Charlotte, N.C.): Following a 10-year NFL career, Munnerlyn became the head coach at Chambers in 2025, leading them to a playoff win in the first season.
Hardy Nickerson, JSerra Catholic High School (Calif.): The 16-year NFL veteran was hired as the first Black head coach in the Trinity League in December 2025.
Nick Novak, Maranatha Christian (San Diego, Calif.): After making 182 career field goals between 2005-17, Novak has served as the head coach of Maranatha Christian since 2021.
A.J. Ofodile, Festus (Mo.): Ofodile took over as the Festus head football coach in 2020 following a three-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens.
Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.): After winning the Heisman in college and being a three-time Pro Bowler, Palmer led Santa Margarita to a CIF State Open Division championship and was named the 2025 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year in his first season.
John Parrella, Lutheran West (Rocky River, Ohio): After recording 407 tackles and 26.5 sacks during his 12-year NFL career, Parrella has led Lutheran West since 2020.
Josh Parry, Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.): Parry had a catch in Super Bowl XXXIX from Donovan McNabb. He has been the coach at Del Oro since 2025.
Chad Pennington, Sayre (Lexington, Ky.): After a strong NFL career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, Pennington now serves as the Sayre School, a program he helped restart in 2018 and has led to a state title.
Rashaad Penny, Long Beach Jordan (Long Beach, Calif.): The former first-round running back was named the head coach at Long Beach Jordan in May.
Ricky Powers, Brush (Lyndhurst, Ohio): The former Cleveland Brown has led Brush High School since his hiring in 2001.
Stanley Pritchett, Douglass (Atlanta, Ga.): After scoring 1,793 yards and 13 total touchdowns, the former Dolphin, Eagle, Patriot and Falcon has been the head coach at Frederick Douglass since 2021.
Jonathan Quinn, Davidson Academy (Nashville, Tenn.): The former NFL backup QB has coached at Davidson Academy since 2014, leading the program to three straight state titles from 2019-21.
Brian Rimpf, Camden (S.C.): The former Raven won his 100th career game as a head coach in 2023.
Andre Rison, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.): The five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XXXI champion has been the head coach at University Liggett School since 2024.
Philip Rivers, St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Ala.): Rivers, the NFL Hall of Fame QB, has been coaching the program since 2021. He left high school coaching briefly in 2025 to play for the Colts.
J.D. Runnels, Mount St. Mary (Oklahoma City, Okla.): Runnels was hired as the head coach for Mount St. Mary’s in 2025.
Ace Sanders, Bayshore (Bradenton, Fla.): Sanders, who caught 57 passes for 539 yards and a touchdown in the NFL for the Jaguars, took over as the Bayshore coach in 2024.
Matt Schobel, Columbus (Texas): After recording 117 receptions for 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns in the NFL, Schobel has led Columbus to a state title in 2024.
Sammy Seamster, Brainerd (Chattanooga, Tenn.): Seamster has served as the head football coach at Brainerd since 2023, while also serving as a firefighter.
George Selvie, Sumner (Riverview, Fla.): The former NFL defensive end has been the head coach of the Stingrays since 2024. He is coaching his son, George Selvie III.
Mark Simoneau, Shawnee Mission East (Shawnee Mission, Kan.): Simoneau has served as the head coach for Shawnee Mission East since 2023.
Evan Smith, Manitowoc Lincoln (Manitowoc, Wis.): The former Packers offensive lineman has served as the head coach for Manitowoc Lincoln since 2024.
Lawrence Smith, Washington (Atlanta, Ga.): Smith was hired by his alma mater in April 2025.
Rodney Smith, Somerset Academy (Silver Palms) (Miami, Fla.): Smith was named the head coach of Somerset Academy in 2024.
Brian St. Pierre, St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.): The former NFL backup QB returned to St. John’s Prep as the head coach in 2014 after starring there as a player. He led them to an MIAA Division 1 State Championship.
Philip Stambaugh, Notre Dame-Green Pond (Easton, Pa.): Another former backup QB, Stambaugh is entering his 11th season as the head coach.
Mac Stephens, Garfield Heights (Ohio): The former Jet and Viking backup has been the Garfield Heights high school football coach since 2024.
Jaelen Strong, AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.): The former third-round wide receiver has turned around AZ Compass Prep since taking over in 2024. The Dragons are transitioning to 11-man football.
Reggie Swinton, Jacksonville (Ark.): After going undrafted, Swinton caught 41 passes for 493 yards and two touchdowns from 2001-04. He’s been the head coach at Jacksonville since 2025.
Phillip Tanner, Burleson (Texas): The former Dallas Cowboy was named the head coach at Burleson in 2024.
Jaimie Thomas, Red Land (Lewisberry, Pa.): The former Indianapolis Colts guard was named the Red Land head coach in 2025.
Lamont Thompson, Indio (Calif.): Thompson, who once intercepted Brett Favre twice in a game, is entering his third year as the head coach for Indio.
Syd’Quan Thompson, Grant (Sacramento, Calif.): Thompson has served as the head coach at his alma mater since 2022, leading the Pacers to two CIF state championships.
Jason Trusnik, Strongsville (Ohio): Following a career with 232 career tackles and 3.5 sacks in 120 games between 2007-16, Trusnik has been coaching Strongsville since 2017.
Uani Unga, Mountain View (Orem, Utah): The former NFL linebacker who once picked off Tony Romo has been the head coach at Mountain View since 2025.
Eric Vance, Keller Central (Keller, Texas): The former NFL safety has served as the head coach at Keller Central since 2024.
Bryan Wagner, Hilltop (Chula Vista, Calif.): The former NFL punter who posted a Super Bowl record 48.8 yards average punt in Super Bowl XXIX has been the head coach at Hilltop since 2020.
Sean Weatherspoon, Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.): The 2010 first-round pick took over the Knights program in February 2025.
Joe Webb, Jackson-Olin (Birmingham, Ala.): The former NFL QB has returned to his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, to be the head coach at Jackson-Olin since 2024.
Eric Weddle, Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.): The Super Bowl LVI champion took over as the head coach at Rancho Bernardo in 2023. He had 29 interceptions and 9.5 sacks in his NFL career.
Reggie White Sr., Milford Mill Academy (Baltimore, Md.): The former sixth-round pick returned to his alma mater and led the program to a state title.
Chavis Williams, Dora (Ala.): The former Baltimore Raven took over as the head coach at his alma mater, Dora, in 2021.
Maurice Williams, Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.): The former second-round pick and star offensive lineman for the Jaguars took over at The Providence School in 2022.
Sherman Williams, Murphy (Mobile, Ala.): The Super Bowl XXX champion was named the Murphy head coach in 2025.
Joe Wong, Kailua (Hawaii): The 1994 graduate of Kailua returned to his alma mater as the head coach in 2014.
Rashaun Woods, Tyler (Texas): The 2004 first-round pick played just one season in the NFL. He has been the head coach at Tyler High School since January 2003.
Tom Zbikowski, St. Patrick (Chicago, Ill.): Zbikowski had interceptions off Aaron Rodgers, Daunte Culpepper and Ryan Fitzpatrick during his five-year NFL career. He has served as Shamrocks’ head coach since the spring of 2025.