This week for the These Dads Are Doing It Right series I am looking to showcase some great coaching dad and son duos. These dads and sons have both been coaches in the NFL. These dads have influenced their sons to follow in their footsteps. In addition, if there are any other dads that you think we should check out, leave their name and info in the comment section below.
Coaching Dad Duos
Jim Mora Jr. and Jim Mora
Recently Jim Mora Jr. appeared on my podcast. You can listen to that conversation here. Mora Jr coached four years in the NFL. After that he moved to college football to coach. Currently he is coaching the UConn Huskies. Jim More Sr. might be known for his “PLAYOFFS?!?!” quote outside of football circles. Yet Mora Sr. spent over 10 seasons coaching the Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. In that time he has had double-digit wins before retiring from the NFL.
John and Jim Fassel
Jim Fassel was the head coach of the Giants for seven years. Even though coaching in one of the biggest markets in the NFL, Jim was able to hold his own. In 2000 he guaranteed a playoff berth with the Giants midseason. He and his players made good on that promise. That year they made it to the Super Bowl. His son, John time as a head coach in the NFL was not as long as his father’s coaching tenure. He was the interim head coach of the Los Angeles Rams for three games in 2016. It was a small run, but they still had the fun fact of both being head coaches in the NFL.
Buddy, Rex and Rob Ryan
Buddy Ryan was an NFL head coach for seven seasons in the 1980s and 90s. In addition, he made three consecutive playoff appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles. After his time in Philly, he coached the Arizona Cardinals for a few seasons. One of Buddy’s sons, Rex Ryan was a head coach for The New York Jets. That is where he led the team to the AFC championship in each of his first two seasons. He also coached the Buffalo Bills. Buddy’s other son, Rob Ryan, spent over a decade in the league as a defensive coordinator for a handful of NFL teams.
Wade and Bum Phillips
Bum Phillips coached the Houston Oilers to three playoff appearances. In addition, he coached the New Orleans Saints. His son, Wade Phillips was head coach of six NFL teams for four decades. That is a huge accomplishment in a league where there is high turnover. His was bets known for his time being the head coach for the Dallas Cowboys. That is where fans believe he had the most success.