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Former NFL player Jared Crick takes over as head coach of his high school alma mater

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•about 21 hours•

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Jared Crick
Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick (93) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While Jared Crick played only six NFL seasons, he found a way to stay close to the game he loves. This time, he gives back to his alma mater by becoming the Cozad High School’s head football coach. Crick will replace Jayce Dueland, the team’s football coach for the last four seasons.

Crick will take over a team that finished with a 7-3 record and reached the Nebraska School Activities Association Class C1 state tournament. Likewise, the Haymakers finished 34th in the Nebraska On3 Composite Team Rankings for the 2024-25 season.

As 1011 Now’s John Clanton wrote, Jared Crick stated via a press release, “I am proud and humbled to be announced as the Head Football Coach of my Alma Mater, to which I owe a great deal of credit and appreciation to the many that have come before me. Great people, who’ve shaped my life, resulting in the responsibility I now have before me as the leader of this program.”

Though Crick was born in New Mexico, he represented the Haymakers before attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During his time with the Cornhuskers, Crick became a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 member and a one-time Second-Team All-American.

The defensive end declared for the 2012 NFL Draft, wherein the Houston Texans selected him in the fourth round (126th overall). In 2014, Jared Crick switched to linebacker and had his best season in the NFL. He finished that year with career highs in tackles (56), passes defended (6), and sacks (3.5). Crick also started 31 out of 32 games played for the Texans in 2014 and 2015.

After four seasons with Houston, the Denver Broncos signed him to a two-year contract. He started 15 regular-season games for the Broncos in 2015, finishing with 48 tackles, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries.

Unfortunately, the Broncos placed him on injured reserve two days before their 2017 Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Sadly, he wouldn’t play another down in the NFL. Crick closed his career with 205 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 19 passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 82 career games.