In a growing trend, ex-NFL quarterbacks returning to run high school programs

It has never been uncommon for former quarterbacks to come back and coach, whether that be at the NFL, college or high school football ranks. Staffs at all levels of the sport feature former signal-callers, but there’s a growing trend at the prep level in particular: hiring ex-NFL quarterbacks to run the program.

The most notable — and successful — example in recent years was 14-year NFL veteran Trent Dilfer taking over Nashville’s Lipscomb Academy in 2019. Over the next four seasons, he led the Mustangs to a 44-10 record, three Division II Class AA state championship appearances and two titles before moving on to coach at UAB.

He was subsequently replaced by NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Kevin Mawae, who only lasted one season before a losing record and multiple TSSAA violations ended his tenure.

But Dilfer started (or at a minimum made popular) the idea that former pros could return to the high school level and begin coaching careers. Since then, multiple others have done the same with varying degrees of success.

Chad Pennington leading Kentucky high school program

While Dilfer’s move to Lipscomb got more attention because of his previous involvement in the Elite 11 quarterback camps, former New York Jets signal-caller Chad Pennington actually beat him to the high school ranks in 2018. After retiring from the league in 2011, Pennington took over at Kentucky private school Sayre seven years later and helped build the football program from scratch.

The Spartans finished 1-9 in 2019, but have become one of the Bluegrass State’s most dominant small-school programs in recent years. After a 12-1 campaign in 2023 that ended with a loss in the state championship game, Sayre finished 15-0 this season and capped it with a 27-22 victory in the title game.

Even more special, two of his sons were on the team this year, including one starting at quarterback while leading on of the state’s best offenses.

“We have certainly improved over time with facilities and bells and whistles, but more importantly, we stay true to who we are as a program,” Pennington told the Lexington Herald-Leader last week. “And that’s the focus being on developing young men and using the game of football to do that, not only for football, but for the next chapter of their lives. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Brothers Matt, Tim Hasselbeck leading another Nashville program

In a potential nod to the success that Dilfer had at Lipscomb, Nashville’s Ensworth High hired former NFL quarterback and ESPN commentator Tim Hasselbeck to lead its program last December.

He and his family have lived in Nashville since 2016 and after working at ESPN since 2008, he jumped at the opportunity to get back onto the field.

“In Coach Hasselbeck, we see someone who will shape young men and who will be able to assemble and lead a talented and committed coaching staff,” Ensworth’s headmaster Prentice Stabler said when they hired him. “Coach Hasselbeck’s extensive experience as a former NFL player, analyst, and coach will be a tremendous asset to our football program.”

The Tigers won their first 11 games of this season — Hasselbeck’s first — before falling to McCallie School in the Division II Class AAA state semifinals earlier this month. The program hadn’t won a playoff game in five years prior to Hasselbeck taking over and last won a state championship in 2013.

Teddy Bridgewater returns alma mater to the pinnacle

Younger generations of quarterbacks are embracing the chance to return to the prep levels, as well. After a 10-season NFL career that was ultimately cut short by injuries, former Louisville star and 2014 NFL Rookie of the Year Teddy Bridgewater took over at Miami-area powerhouse Northwestern this year.

The program had fallen into disarray over the past couple of seasons by its own high standards, which included state titles in 1995, 1998, 2006, 2007, and 2017-19. Once Bridgewater officially announced his retirement, he expressed interest in taking over at his alma mater.

He led them to an 8-2 regular season, and the Bulls were considered one of the top contenders for the Class 3A state title entering the playoffs. They not only won all of their games, but outscored their opponents by a combined score of 262-12. That included a 41-0 rout rout of Jacksonville Raines in the state title game on Saturday night.

“He’s means a lot,” Northwestern star wide receiver Calvin Russell said of Bridgewater to the Palm Beach Post. “He changed the way we think about everything. The way we do things, how we go about things. He changed a whole lot.”

Last month, Bridgewater expressed interest in returning to the NFL coaching ranks and reportedly did not address his future with Northwestern after the game.

Former Heisman winner Carson Palmer looking to make his own mark

With the trend only continuing to spread, the latest to try their hand coaching at the high school level is none other than USC Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer.

Earlier this week, Palmer was announced as the new head coach at his alma mater Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.).

Palmer will also get the chance to coach his son, Fletch Palmer, a quarterback that is currently a freshman in the program. He was a volunteer coach for the freshman team last season when his son was playing quarterback. Santa Margarita, one of the top programs in southern California, finished 5-7 overall this year, after head Anthony Rouzier was put on administrative leave in early October following reported hazing incidents in the locker room.

Palmer starred at Santa Margarita, where he led the Eagles to back-to-back CIF titles and earned All-American, All-State, All-Southern Section, and All-CIF State honors before graduating in 1998. He threw for 2,685 passing yards and 31 touchdowns while leading his team to their second-straight state crown.

He later shined at USC, becoming one of the most decorated players in college football history during his time with the Trojans.