Former NFL coaches go back to schools for leadership positions

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Jack Carey

Colorado State's Steve Fairchild isn't the only coach with a recent NFL background starting a college head coaching job this fall.

Former Washington coach Rick Neuheisel, forced out five years ago for participating in an NCAA basketball tournament pool, among other things, is back at his alma mater, UCLA. He had been an assistant for three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Bobby Petrino quit as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after 13 games last year to take over at Arkansas. Petrino enjoyed a successful tenure at Louisville, which won the Big East and the FedEx Orange Bowl two years ago before he left for the Falcons.

Texas A&M hired Houston Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who was head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Sherman had two...