1 of 10
Before becoming head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bill Cowher was employed as a defensive coordinator under what coach?
ANSWER: Cowher was Schottenheimer's defensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs. He'd also worked with Schottenheimer in Cleveland as a special teams and secondary coach. Cowher was Schottenheimer's defensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs. He'd also worked with Schottenheimer in Cleveland as a special teams and secondary coach.
2 of 10
Immediately before becoming head coach of the Washington Redskins, Joe Gibbs served as offensive coordinator under which coach?
ANSWER: Gibbs was offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers in 1979 and 1980. Gibbs was offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers in 1979 and 1980.
3 of 10
Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel had been an assistant under which legendary coach?
ANSWER: Fassel was an assistant at Stanford during Walsh's first stint before working under Ray Handley (Giants), Wade Phillips (Broncos), Mike White (Raiders) and Vince Tobin (Cardinals). Fassel now coaches the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. They won the league's inaugural title. After his brilliant, analogy-laden press conference in 2000 ("I'm driving the bus . . . I'm raising the stakes . . . I'm upping the ante . . . I see the finish line . . . I've got to get my horse to run faster"), it's fitting that he's coaching a team with a transportation-themed mascot. Fassel was an assistant at Stanford during Walsh's first stint before working under Ray Handley (Giants), Wade Phillips (Broncos), Mike White (Raiders) and Vince Tobin (Cardinals). Fassel now coaches the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. They won the league's inaugural title. After his brilliant, analogy-laden press conference in 2000 ("I'm driving the bus . . . I'm raising the stakes . . . I'm upping the ante . . . I see the finish line . . . I've got to get my horse to run faster"), it's fitting that he's coaching a team with a transportation-themed mascot.
4 of 10
Jeff Fisher is usually placed in the Bill Walsh coaching tree, because he served as an assistant to George Seifert in San Francisco. But under which head coach did Fisher begin his coaching career?
ANSWER: Fisher was a defensive assistant under Mike Ditka (and Buddy Ryan) the year the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. Fisher followed Ryan to Philadelphia the following season. Fisher was a defensive assistant under Mike Ditka (and Buddy Ryan) the year the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. Fisher followed Ryan to Philadelphia the following season.
5 of 10
Before he became head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (and Stanford Cardinal—twice), Bill Walsh served as offensive coordinator for 8 years under what coach?
ANSWER: From Wikipedia: When Paul Brown retired as head coach following the 1975 season and appointed Bill "Tiger" Johnson as his successor, Walsh resigned and served as an assistant coach for Tommy Prothro with the San Diego Chargers in 1976. In a 2006 interview, Walsh claimed that during his tenure with the Bengals, Brown "worked against my candidacy" to be a head coach anywhere in the league. "All the way through I had opportunities, and I never knew about them," Walsh said. "And then when I left him, he called whoever he thought was necessary to keep me out of the NFL." From Wikipedia: When Paul Brown retired as head coach following the 1975 season and appointed Bill "Tiger" Johnson as his successor, Walsh resigned and served as an assistant coach for Tommy Prothro with the San Diego Chargers in 1976. In a 2006 interview, Walsh claimed that during his tenure with the Bengals, Brown "worked against my candidacy" to be a head coach anywhere in the league. "All the way through I had opportunities, and I never knew about them," Walsh said. "And then when I left him, he called whoever he thought was necessary to keep me out of the NFL."
6 of 10
Which Super Bowl-winning head coach did not cut his teeth as an assistant under Bill Parcells?
ANSWER: Belichick and Coughlin won Super Bowl rings with Parcells with the Giants (Belichick as defensive coordinator in 1986 & 1990, Coughlin as wide receivers coach in 1990). Before coming to the Baltimore Ravens for the 1999 season, Billick was the offensive coordinator under Dennis Green in Minnesota. Belichick and Coughlin won Super Bowl rings with Parcells with the Giants (Belichick as defensive coordinator in 1986 & 1990, Coughlin as wide receivers coach in 1990). Before coming to the Baltimore Ravens for the 1999 season, Billick was the offensive coordinator under Dennis Green in Minnesota.
7 of 10
Before becoming head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1995, Mike Shanahan won a Super Bowl as offensive coordinator under what coach?
ANSWER: Seifert, Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX. The following year, Shanahan became head coach of the Denver Broncos, where he'd win two more titles. Seifert, Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX. The following year, Shanahan became head coach of the Denver Broncos, where he'd win two more titles.
8 of 10
The first NFL job held by Marvin Lewis was linebackers coach under what future Super Bowl-winning head coach?
ANSWER: Lewis joined the Pittsburgh Steelers' staff in 1992. He became defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. Lewis joined the Pittsburgh Steelers' staff in 1992. He became defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 1996.
9 of 10
Which future head coach was NOT on Mike Holmgren's staff when the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XXXI?
ANSWER: Gruden did coach in Green Bay earlier that decade, but by 1996 he was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Marty Mornhinweg and Andy Reid were position coaches. Gruden did coach in Green Bay earlier that decade, but by 1996 he was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Marty Mornhinweg and Andy Reid were position coaches.
