128 Former NFL Players Are Now Coaching High School Football

128 Former NFL Players Are Now Coaching High School Football

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

128 Former NFL Players Are Now Coaching High School Football

You hear a lot about former NFL players coaching at the collegiate or professional level.

Former NFL players like Jim Harbaugh, Dan Campbell, Mike Vrabel, etc. have gone on to become NFL head coaches. Former NFL stars like Deion Sanders and Michael Vick have gone on to become college football head coaches.

But there are far more former NFL players coaching at the high school level, impacting kids when they're 15 to 18 years old, and doing great work in their local communities.

In total, there are more than 100 former NFL players coaching at the high school football level this year.

Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts after a play during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images© Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

USA TODAY reports that there are 128 former NFL players coaching at the high school football level this year.

There are some big names, too, like Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna, Andre Rison and others.

Several big names are coaching high school football in 2026

USA TODAY mentioned several big names that are coaching at the high school football level, including:

  • C.J. Anderson, Benicia (Benicia, Calif.): Former Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams running back took over the Panthers in February 2025. Rushed for 3,497 yards and 22 touchdowns and is a Super Bowl 50 champion.
  • Jason Ankrah, Great Mills (Great Mills, Md.): The former Houston Texan has led the Hornets since 2023, including the program's first playoff berth in the first season of taking over.
  • JoJuan Armour, Reynoldsburg (Reynoldsburg, Ohio): The former Cincinnati Bengals safety was hired by Reynoldsburg High School in June of 2024.
  • Don Barclay, Seneca Valley (Harmony, Pa.): Following an eight-year NFL career, Barclay was hired by his former high school in February of 2025.
  • Lew Barnes, Olympian (Chula Vista, Calif.): The former kick return specialist was hired by the Eagles in March of 2025.
  • Nick Barnett, Del Norte (San Diego, Calif.): The former first-round pick spent 13 years in the NFL and has served as the head coach of Del Norte since 2023.
  • Jason Belser, Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.): Belser was hired by The Benjamin School in 2025 following a successful 11-year NFL career, which included two interceptions in the postseason.
  • Tyler Brayton, Arapahoe (Centennial, Colo.): The 2003 first-round pick is serving as the head coach for the Warriors.

You can view the full list of coaches, via USA TODAY, here.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Jul 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos