The historic 2024 college football season kicks off this weekend when a limited number of games are scheduled. A full slate of out-of-conference games is set for Labor Day Weekend (Aug 29- Sept 2). This is the first season that 12 teams will be selected to compete in the College Football Playoff to decide a national champion.
Although Jim Harbaugh left Michigan last January to return to the league with the Chargers, there still are several NFL alumni who have transitioned from player to head coach on different levels of collegiate ball.
For example, there are at least five NFL alums entering their second season as head coach at their current schools.
Former NFL quarterback Jeff Brohm is entering his second season as the head coach of his alma mater University of Louisville. He led the Cardinals to a 10-4 record and a Holiday Bowl appearance in 2023. He previously had winning head coaching records at Western Kentucky and Purdue. Brohm played for five NFL teams during a seven-year (1994-2000) career.
Troy Taylor, the former Jets quarterback (1990-91), also returns for his second season as head coach at Stanford. He previously was a two-time Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year at Sacramento State (2019-22).
Deion Sanders is “quietly” beginning his second year at Colorado after starting fast but finishing with a 4-8 record in 2023. He previously had an outstanding 27-6 record with two bowl appearances during his three seasons as head coach at Jackson State.
Former Super Bowl winning quarterback Trent Dilfer at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and ex-NFL safety Quintin Demps at Judson University also are in their second season at their respective schools.
Jerricho Cotchery played wide receiver for 12 seasons (2004-2015) in the league with the Jets, Steelers, and Panthers. He was promoted last February to his first heading coaching position at Limestone University in South Carolina which is a NCAA Division II school.
The National Football Foundation’s annual survey shows there now are 774 four-year schools that have football programs, including 12 colleges and universities that are launching this year or in near future. In the last decade, 51 schools have added football programs. There also are 123 two-year junior colleges that include football in their athletic department.
We at NFL Alumni wish success for our veteran coaching members on all levels of play. That includes Eddie George (Tennessee State), Bubba McDowell (Prairie View), Eddie Robinson, Jr. (Alabama State) and Sam Shade (Miles College).
Let the college season begin and may all the players have healthy years!
