Can you coach in the highest leagues if you never even played college ball

Iceman · May 15, 2008

In any sport?

shdw01 · May 15, 2008

Jeff Van Gundy doesn't look like he played college ball.

I thought he was a pretty good NBA coach.

SkinsRaj28 · May 15, 2008

Van Gundy never played major college ball, and current Nets head coach Lawrence Frank never even played in high school.

dominicdg · May 15, 2008

Yes you can be a good coach. Not a hall of fame coach. But you can be a good coach.

Iceman · May 15, 2008

I heard this is the big complainent against Charlie Weiss by ND faithful, he never played above high school football, is that right?

fhmesq44 · May 15, 2008

rare, but yes. In addition to the others, Majerus never played ball either.

fhmesq44 · May 15, 2008

Iceman said:
I heard this is the big complainent against Charlie Weiss by ND faithful, he never played above high school football, is that right?

they didn't seem to care when they were in BCS bowls.

dominicdg · May 15, 2008

fhmesq44 said:
they didn't seem to care when they were in BCS bowls.

Haha kids that aint that good complaining about a guy with a superbowl ring.( Even though they cheated).

Also the kids are complaining after losing off course.

Railbird · May 15, 2008

fhmesq44 said:
rare, but yes. In addition to the others, Majerus never played ball either.

was a walk on

FairWarning · May 15, 2008

Iceman said:
I heard this is the big complainent against Charlie Weiss by ND faithful, he never played above high school football, is that right?

This is true. ND fans would bitch if the sky isn't blue enough.

thegambler711 · May 15, 2008

There are only four D1 college football coaches that played at the college level: Mike Leach of TT, Mark Mangino at Kansas, Paul Johnson at GT, and Weis at ND.

I think Dennis Franchione was also one until he got fired.

fhmesq44 · May 15, 2008

Railbird said:
was a walk on

I don't think he actually made the team as a walk on.

PhilMoneyMargonis · May 15, 2008

ken hitckcock never played hockey but he's one of the best coaches in the league

Gator627 · May 15, 2008

Jon Gruden didnt play, right?

JohnnyB · May 15, 2008

thegambler711 said:
There are only four D1 college football coaches that played at the college level: Mike Leach of TT, Mark Mangino at Kansas, Paul Johnson at GT, and Weis at ND.

This can't be right.

Bielema (Wisconsin head coach) played for Iowa.

thegambler711 · May 15, 2008

Johnny B said:
This can't be right.

Bielema (Wisconsin head coach) played for Iowa.

I meant to say that did not play at the college level.

CtGuy441 · May 15, 2008

bill Belichick played D3

royalfan · May 15, 2008

Ofcourse you can. Just very difficult to get into without having done so.

SayHeyKid · May 15, 2008

Sure you can....As mentioned above, it's just real tough to get a big time job without having played. You usually have to start at the assistant HS level and work your way up.

GreenDoberman · May 15, 2008

Let's see of the four coaches who never played college ball:

Leach- one of the most innovative offensive minds in football, probably better suited as an O coordinator, but has brought consistent bowls to Tech

Mangino- finished arguably the best season even in Jayhawk football, competing with big boys in big ten at a hoops school, damn good coach

Johnson- turned a consistent loser into a winner at Annapolis, broke streak against Dame, as solid as they come

Weis- verdict is out, was God-like first year, then came crashing hard with inexperienced players

So you have two really good coaches, one very solid offensive mind who has been successful, and one undetermined at this time.

For the small sample size, I'd say that's a pretty good measure of success.