There are six head coaches in the playoffs this month who also played in the league. This is the highest number of player alumni-head coaches in playoffs since there were seven in 1995.
The Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh returned to the league last January after serving as head coach at the University of Michigan for nine years (2015-23). Harbaugh was the 49ers head coach in a 2011-14 span that included a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. The 61-year-old was the Bears first round pick in the 1987 Draft. He later played quarterback for the Colts, Ravens, Chargers, and Panthers during a 15-year career.
The Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles and Broncos’ Sean Payton also are serving as NFL head coaches for the second time. Bowles previously was the Jets coach from 2015-18. He was named head coach of the Bucs in 2022 and has taken them to the playoffs all three years he has been in charge. As a player, Bowles was a strong safety for the Redskins and 49ers from 1986-93.
Sean Payton was named head coach of the Broncos in 2023. He earlier was the Super Bowl XLIV winning coach with the Saints where he worked from 2013-21. He has coached in league for 25 seasons as assistant or head coach. He was undrafted as a college quarterback out of Eastern Illinois but did play with the Bears in 1987.
The Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell has led the Vikings to the playoffs two of the last three seasons. He was the offensive coordinator when the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021. He was a third-round choice of the Patriots in the 2008 Draft after playing quarterback for San Diego State. He later signed with the Jets where he played three seasons (2009-11).
DeMeco Ryans has won the AFC South in both seasons he has been the Texans head coach. He was the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2021 and head coach in Houston starting in 2023. As a player, Ryans was drafted out of Alabama on the second round by the Texans in 2006. His 10-year NFL linebacker career included six years in Houston and four seasons with the Eagles.
Dan Campbell is in his fourth year as Lions head coach. In the last two seasons, he has led Detroit to its first two division titles in 30 years. He was drafted by the Giants on the third round in 1999 and later played tight end for the Cowboys, Lions and Saints during an 11-year playing career.
We wish postseason success starting this weekend to all our fellow alumni-head coaching brothers.
