Vermeil Final Bio 2005.indd

NFL Coach: 19 Years
NFL Head Coach: 15 Years
Overall Coaching Experience: 32 Years
Head Coaching Experience: 21 Years
NFL Overall Record: 126-114 (.525)
Regular Season Record: 120-109 (.524)
Postseason Record: 6-5 (.545)
Record with Philadelphia: 54-47 (.535)
Record with St. Louis: 22-26 (.458)
Record with Kansas City: 44-36 (.550)
College: San Jose State (’58)
One of the most distinguished coaching careers in National Football League history officially concluded when Dick Vermeil
announced his retirement from professional football on January 1, 2006. Vermeil spent 15 seasons as an NFL head coach
— including the past five campaigns with Kansas City — and was a member of the league’s coaching fraternity for a total of
19 seasons.
Vermeil’s lasting contributions to the game of the football
COACHING CAREER
date back far longer than his tenure in pro football which
1959
Del
Mar
HS (San Jose, CA). . . . Assistant Coach
began as the NFL’s first special teams coach working for Pro
1960-62
Hillsdale HS (San Mateo, CA) . . . . . Head Coach
Football Hall of Fame coach George Allen and the L.A. Rams
1963
San Mateo College . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Coach
in ’69. While there were numerous big victories — including a
1964
Napa Junior College . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach
triumphant win in Super Bowl XXXIV with St. Louis — Vermeil’s
1965-68
Stanford University. . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Coach
life’s work can best be measured through the countless lives
1969
L.A. Rams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Special Teams
1970
UCLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Offensive Coordinator
of individuals he has touched over the years. The lineage of
1971-72
L.A. Rams . . . . . . . . . Offensive Coordinator/QBs
former players and coaches he has impacted dates back to his
1973
L.A. Rams . . . . . . Running Backs/Special Teams
initial coaching assignment at San Jose’s Del Mar High School
1974-75
UCLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach
in ’59.
1976-82
Philadelphia Eagles . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach
The best testament to Vermeil’s ability to connect with his
1997-99
St. Louis Rams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach
players is the fact that he owns the rare distinction of being
2001-05
Kansas City Chiefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach
named “Coach of the Year” on four levels: high school, junior
college, NCAA Division I and the NFL. Vermeil is also just one
of four coaches in NFL history to lead two different teams to
the Super Bowl, joining the illustrious likes of Bill Parcells (Giants and Patriots), Dan Reeves (Broncos and Falcons) and Don
Shula (Colts and Dolphins). Vermeil was granted entry into that prestigious group after leading St. Louis to a win in Super Bowl
XXXIV following the ’99 season.
Whether it was upsetting #1 ranked Ohio State 23-10 in the Rose Bowl following the ’75 college season or resurrecting
a long-dormant Philadelphia Eagles franchise to claim the ’80 NFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XV, Vermeil’s
gridiron triumphs have been well-documented. In 15 seasons as an NFL head coach, Vermeil produced a 120-109 (.524)
regular season record. Combined with a 6-5 career postseason record that included a perfect 3-0 mark during the ’99 campaign
with the Rams, his final overall NFL head coaching record stands at 126-114 (.525).
Vermeil was named the ninth head coach in Chiefs history on January 12, 2001 by Chiefs President Carl Peterson. In five
seasons with Kansas City, Vermeil produced a 44-36 (.550) regular season slate, the third-highest victory total in franchise
history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Hank Stram (124) and Marty Schottenheimer (101). Vermeil went 2226 with the St. Louis Rams (’97-99) and posted a 54-47 regular season record with the Philadelphia Eagles (’76-82).
Unquestionably one of the finest innovators and motivators the game has ever known, Vermeil’s style truly stood the test of
time. Whether it was coaching championship football and swimming teams as a high school coach in California, re-establishing
UCLA as a national collegiate powerhouse or reaching the highest echelon at the profession level by leading a club to a Super
Bowl championship, Vermeil has simply enjoyed success at every step along his coaching journey.
During Vermeil’s five-year stint as Kansas City’s head coach, the Chiefs enjoyed one of the most prolific offensive runs in
franchise history. Over that five-year span from 2001-05, Kansas City led the NFL by averaging 380.9 yards of total offense
per game and scored a league-high 131 rushing TDs. The Chiefs also ranked second in the NFL in scoring over that five-year
period, averaging 27.0 points per game. In total, the Chiefs established 34 different single-season team records and 14 singlegame team records during Vermeil’s distinguished tenure.
In Vermeil’s final season on the NFL sidelines in 2005, he guided the Chiefs to a 10-6 record as the Chiefs posted four wins
over teams that qualified for the playoffs, including home victories vs. Washington, New England, Denver and Cincinnati. That 10-6
finish marked the sixth double-digit victory total of Vermeil’s coaching career. In 2004, Kansas City rebounded from an 0-3 start and
constructed a late-season, four-game winning streak to finish the year at 7-9. In the process, the Chiefs set a league record with
398 first downs and led the NFL in total offense for the first time in franchise history, averaging 418.4 yards per game.
In 2003, Vermeil guided Kansas City to a 13-3 record and an AFC West title, marking the club’s first postseason berth
since ’97. The Chiefs began the season with a 9-0 record, becoming the first team in franchise history and just the ninth squad
since the AFL-NFL merger to accomplish that feat. During that season, Kansas City extended its regular season winning streak
at Arrowhead Stadium to a franchise-record 13 games as the Chiefs became the first AFC squad to lead the NFL in scoring
offense in back-to-back seasons since San Diego in ’81-82. Among many notable honors, Vermeil was named Co-Sportsman
of the Year by The Sporting News along with Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon. The NFL Alumni Association inducted
Vermeil into its prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet in April of 2004, while the Touchdown Club of New Orleans bestowed
the Chiefs head coach with its 2004 Rozelle Award, a pair of honors that recognize substantial contributions to the game of
professional football.
Vermeil etched his name amongst some of the NFL’s coaching elite in 2003, becoming one of just five head coach in
league history to take three different teams to the playoffs, joining Chuck Knox (Rams, Bills and Seahawks), Reeves (Broncos,
Giants and Falcons), Parcells (Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys) and Schottenheimer (Browns, Chiefs and Chargers). That
quintet of coaches also represent the only men in NFL history to record a 10-victory season with three different teams. With
a 17-10 win at Baltimore (9/28/03), Vermeil became the 31st coach in NFL history to record 100 career victories (regular and
postseason). He registered his 100th regular season NFL win in a 27-24 triumph vs. Oakland (11/23/03), making him the 27th
coach in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
After taking a 14-year sabbatical from the coaching profession from ’83-96, Vermeil returned to the league as President
of Football Operations and head coach of the St. Louis Rams on January 22, 1997. Vermeil took over a St. Louis team which
had suffered seven consecutive losing seasons and hadn’t been to the postseason since ’88. In just his third season as head
coach of that club in ’99, he guided the Rams to a 13-3 regular season record and a thrilling 23-16 victory vs. Tennessee in
Super Bowl XXXIV. St. Louis limited its opponents to 21 points or less in all 13 of those regular season victories, winning those
contests by an average margin of 22.9 points per game.
Nineteen years after winning the NFL Coach of the Year honor for the initial time with the ’80 Philadelphia Eagles, Vermeil
was once again honored as the NFL’s Coach of the Year following the ’99 season with St. Louis and was a consensus “Coach
of the Year” selection among pro football publications and by virtually every major event in the country, including Kansas City’s
own 101 Banquet.
Despite losing QB Trent Green to a season-ending injury in the preseason, a former Arena League and NFL Europe
quarterback named Kurt Warner emerged to lead St. Louis to the promised land. While Vermeil was the season’s most
decorated coach, Warner was the league’s most honored player, taking home the NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl
MVP trophies. Just 11 days following that Super Bowl victory, Vermeil announced what would be a short-lived retirement from
the Rams on February 1, 2000 and joined the Chiefs less than a year later.
In ’76, Vermeil began his 15-year tenure as an NFL head coach when he was chosen to guide the fortunes of the
downtrodden Philadelphia Eagles franchise. Just three years after inheriting a team that hadn’t enjoyed a winning season
since ’61, Vermeil helped lead the Eagles to their first playoff appearance in 18 seasons following the ’78 campaign. In seven
seasons with the Eagles from ’76-82, Vermeil engineered four Philadelphia playoff appearances. The highlight of that four-year
postseason run came in ’80 when Philadelphia claimed its first division title since winning the NFL Championship in ’60 as
Vermeil’s Eagles won the NFC Championship Game and advanced to Super Bowl XV in January of ’81.
After that highly-successful seven-season run with Philadelphia, Vermeil retired from coaching during an emotional farewell
speech on January 10, 1983. He finished his Eagles career with a 54-47 (.535) record. Only Andy Reid (70-42) and Pro
Football Hall of Fame inductee Earl “Greasy” Neale (66-44-5) have produced more regular season victories as head coach of
the Eagles. In an ironic twist, Vermeil became the first two-time winner of the Earle “Greasy” Neale Award in 2003, an honor
presented annually by Philadelphia’s Maxwell Club to the NFL Coach of the Year. He previously received that accolade with
the Rams in ’99.
During his many years in the Philadelphia area — where he calls a 114-acre homestead in rural Chester County,
Pennsylvania his home — Vermeil has found the time to help many worthy causes. Numerous Philadelphia-area organizations
have benefited from his involvement including: The Mary Campbell Center, The Second Mile Center and The Boy Scouts of
Chester County whose golf tournament which bears Vermeil’s name annually earns $100,000 for the organization.
Shortly after departing the sidelines in Philadelphia, he began a 14-year broadcasting career, serving as an NFL and
college football analyst for CBS and ABC from ’83-96. Although he declined the opportunity to become Kansas City’s head
coach in ’89, he did provide color commentary for the Chiefs preseason television broadcasts from ’89-96. In addition to being
the only head coach to lead his team to victories in both the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl, he is also the only individual to
coach a team in the Rose Bowl and later broadcast a Rose Bowl contest.
After beginning his coaching career at San Jose’s Del Mar High School in ’59, Vermeil received his initial head coaching
assignment at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, California in ’60. After a one-year stint as an assistant at San Mateo College,
he produced an 8-1 mark in his lone season as the head coach at Napa Junior College in ’64.
Vermeil began his NCAA Division I coaching tenure at Stanford from ’65-68 working under head coach John Ralston. That
star-studded staff included five other future NFL head coaches: Ralston (Denver ’72-76); Bill Walsh (San Francisco ’79-88), Jim
Mora (New Orleans ’86-96, Indianapolis ’98-01), Rod Rust (New England ’90) and Mike White (Oakland ’95-96).
Vermeil entered the pro ranks in ’69 when he was designated as the first special teams coach in NFL history working for
the L.A. Rams. After a one-year stint on Tommy Prothro’s staff as offensive coordinator at UCLA in ’70, he moved with Prothro
back to the Rams, where he served as offensive coordinator from ’71-72. He then coached running backs and special teams
for Rams head coach Chuck Knox in ’73 before taking over the head coaching reins at UCLA the following year. He compiled
a 15-5-3 (.717) record in two seasons as head coach at UCLA (’74-75), including a 9-2-1 record in ’75 when Vermeil led the
Bruins to their first Pac 8 Championship.
Born in Calistoga, California at the northern end of the world-renowned Napa Valley, Vermeil was a four-sport star at
Calistoga High School and was also employed in the auto repair garage of his father, Louis Vermeil. The younger Vermeil
applied that work ethic learned in “The Garage” for one season at Napa Junior College, before moving on to San Jose State. He
graduated from San Jose State with degrees in physical education (B.A. ’58, M.A. ’59) after serving as a collegiate quarterback
for the Spartans. In 2000, he was inducted into the San Jose State Hall of Fame. True to his wine country roots, Vermeil
partners with OnThEdge Winery to produce his own self-proclaimed “Garage Cabernet” named in honor of his grandfather,
Jean Louis Vermeil. Vermeil’s great-grandfather — also named Jean Louis Vermeil — once owned the land where the fruit
utilized for this Cabernet Sauvignon vintage is grown.
Vermeil and his wife, Carol were active in a number of charitable endeavors during their time in Kansas City. Most notably,
they served as chairpersons for the Chiefs Children’s Fund Benefit Game. The 2005 beneficiary of that game was Operation
Breakthrough, a day care center for inner-city families in Kansas City. Carol and the Chiefs wives took a hands-on role as volunteers
at Operation Breakthrough and the Vermeils were actively involved in the efforts to build a new facility for the program.
The Vermeils have three children and 11 grandchildren. Their son Rick and his wife Colleen are parents of grandchildren
Kelly, Rick, Michael and Megan. Their son Dave and his wife Janet are parents of grandchildren Jack, Amy and Andy. Their
daughter Nancy and her husband Steve Barnett are parents of grandchildren James, Tommy, Stevie and Christopher.
VERMEIL VS. THE NFL
REGULAR SEASON
Team
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
W
7
5
3
4
3
4
2
4
3
5
2
3
2
3
1
0
3
L
9
6
0
1
4
1
3
2
11
7
2
2
1
1
2
1
2
T
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pct.
.438
.455
1.000
.800
.429
.800
.400
.667
.214
.417
.500
.600
.667
.750
.333
.000
.600
Team
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
N.Y. Giants
N.Y. Jets
Oakland Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
St. Louis Rams
San Diego Chargers
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
Washington Redskins
Totals
W
L
1
5
3
3
9
3
13
5
5
1
8
5
0
4
2
1
1
2
6
5
2
5
3
3
2
1
3
1
8
9
120 109
T
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pct.
.167
.500
.750
.722
.833
.515
.000
.667
.333
.545
.286
.500
.667
.750
.471
.524
VERMEIL VS. THE NFL
PLAYOFFS
Team
Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts
Minnesota Vikings
W
0
1
1
0
2
L
1
0
0
1
0
Pct.
.000
1.000
1.000
.000
1.000
Team
N.Y. Giants
Oakland Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
Totals
W
0
0
1
1
6
L
1
1
1
0
5
Pct.
.000
.000
.500
1.000
.545
A LEGENDARY CAREER
DICK VERMEIL
2
1
8
7
6
5
3
4
A COACH FOR ALL SEASONS
1 Vermeil compiled a 15-5-3 (.717) record in two seasons as head coach at UCLA (’74-75), including a 9-2-1
record in ’75 when Vermeil led the Bruins to their first Pac 8 Championship. UCLA made its first Rose Bowl
appearance in 10 years as the Bruins upset #1 ranked Ohio State by a score of 23-10.
2 Vermeil began his 19-year NFL coaching career in ’69 when he was hired by Pro Football Hall of Fame
inductee George Allen, who served as head coach of the L.A. Rams. Vermeil was designated as the league’s
first special teams coach that season and would later return to the Rams working as an assistant for Tommy
Prothro in ’71-72 and for Chuck Knox in ’73.
3 Vermeil is one of just four coaches in NFL history to lead two different teams to the Super Bowl, joining
Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves and Don Shula. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in ’80 after guiding the
Philadelphia Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XV.
4 Just three years after inheriting a team that hadn’t enjoyed a winning season since ’61, Vermeil helped
lead Philadelphia to its first playoff appearance in 18 seasons following the ’78 campaign. In seven seasons
with the Eagles from ’76-82, Vermeil engineered four Philadelphia playoff appearances.
5 Vermeil’s finest hour came with St. Louis after his ’99 Rams squad captured a thrilling 23-16 victory in
Super Bowl XXXIV vs. Tennessee. Nineteen years after initially winning the award, Vermeil was once again
named NFL Coach of the Year.
6 Vermeil is one of five coaches in NFL history to guide three different teams to the playoffs, joining Chuck
Knox, Dan Reeves, Bill Parcells and Marty Schottenheimer. He led Kansas City to an AFC West title with a
13-3 record in 2003. Vermeil finished his Chiefs career with a 44-36 (.550) regular season record, the thirdhighest victory total in franchise history, trailing only Hank Stram (124) and Marty Schottenheimer (101).
7 Vermeil’s relationship with Chiefs President Carl Peterson dates back to ’74 when Vermeil was the head
coach at UCLA. Peterson was later on Vermeil’s Philadelphia staff before becoming the Eagles Director of
Player Personnel in ’77.
8 Vermeil served as a television analyst for NFL and college football broadcasts by CBS and ABC from
’83-96 and is the only individual to coach a team in the Rose Bowl and to broadcast a Rose Bowl. Among his
many broadcaster partners over that 14-year was Brent Musburger (right), pictured here with Vermeil at the
’93 Army-Navy game.
VERMEIL’S HEAD COACHING RECORD
Years
1960-62
1964
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1997
1998
1999
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Team
Hillsdale High School
Napa College
UCLA
UCLA
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City
Totals
W
17
8
6
8
4
5
9
11
12
10
3
5
4
13
6
8
13
7
10
159
REGULAR SEASON
L
T
9
1
1
0
3
2
2
1
10
0
9
0
7
0
5
0
4
0
6
0
6
0
11
0
12
0
3
0
10
0
8
0
3
0
9
0
6
0
124
4
Pct
.648
.889
.636
.773
.286
.357
.563
.688
.750
.625
.333
.313
.250
.813
.375
.500
.813
.438
.625
.561
POSTSEASON
W
L
------1
0
----0
1
1
1
2
1
0
1
------3
0
----0
1
----7
5
VERMEIL FAST FACTS
•
Married, wife Carol with three children and 11 grandchildren.
•
Spent 32 seasons overall as a coach, 19 as an NFL coach and 15 as an NFL head coach.
•
Is one of just four coaches in NFL history to lead two different teams to the Super Bowl - Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves and
Don Shula are the others.
•
Is one of five coaches in NFL history to guide three different teams to the playoffs, joining Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Bill
Parcells and Marty Schottenheimer. Vermeil, Knox, Reeves, Parcells and Schottenheimer are also the only five coaches
in NFL annals to guide three different teams to a 10-win season.
•
Posted a 126-114 (.525) overall NFL record (regular and postseason), including a 120-109 (.524) mark in the regular
season.
•
Became the 27th coach in NFL history to register his 100th regular season win, doing it in 2003.
•
Owns a 44-36 (.550) regular season record as head coach of the Chiefs, the third-highest victory total in franchise history,
trailing only Hank Stram (124) and Marty Schottenheimer (101).
•
Guided Kansas City to a 30-18 (.625) regular season record over the past three seasons. The Chiefs were one of only
seven clubs to post 30 or more wins over that span.
•
Produced a 22-26 (.458) regular season record with St. Louis from ’97-99 and was 3-0 in playoff action with the Rams.
•
Registered a 6-5 career playoff record as an NFL head coach, 0-1 with the Chiefs, 3-0 with the Rams and 3-4 with the
Eagles.
•
Relationship with Chiefs President Carl Peterson and Vice President of Football Operations/Player Personnel Lynn Stiles
dates back to ’74 when Vermeil was the head coach at UCLA. Peterson and Stiles were both members of the Bruins
coaching staff.
•
During Vermeil’s stint as head coach of the Eagles from ’76-82, Peterson served as receivers and tight ends coach in ’76
before assuming the role as Director of Player Personnel from ’77-81. Stiles coached special teams for Vermeil from ’7981 before taking over as Philadelphia’s Director of Player Personnel in ’82 when Peterson departed to head the USFL’s
Philadelphia Stars.
•
Was been named “Coach of the Year” at four different levels - high school, junior college, NCAA Division I and has earned
the honor twice in the NFL.
•
Is the only head coach to lead teams to victories in both the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl.
•
Is the only individual to coach a team in the Rose Bowl and to broadcast a Rose Bowl.
•
Named NFC Coach of the Year in ’78 after guiding Philadelphia to a 9-7 record and a Wild Card berth. It marked the
Eagles first winning season since ’66.
•
Named NFL Coach of the Year in ’80 after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a franchise-best 12-4 record and a berth in
Super Bowl XV.
•
Nineteen years after initially winning the award, Vermeil was once again named NFL Coach of the Year in ’99 after leading
the St. Louis Rams to a franchise-best 13-3 record and a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV over Tennessee.
•
Originally entered the NFL in ’69 with the L.A. Rams and was designated as the league’s first special teams coach.
•
Compiled a 15-5-3 (.717) record in two seasons as head coach at UCLA (’74-75), including a 9-2-1 record in ’75 when
Vermeil led the Bruins to their first Pac 8 Championship. UCLA made its first Rose Bowl appearance in 10 years as the
Bruins upset #1 ranked Ohio State 23-10.
•
Served as an assistant coach on head coach John Ralston’s staff at Stanford from ’65-68 that included six future NFL
head coaches: Vermeil (Philadelphia ’76-82, St. Louis ’97-99, Kansas City 2001); Ralston (Denver ’72-76); Bill Walsh (San
Francisco ’79-88), Mike White (Oakland ’95-96), Jim Mora (New Orleans ’86-96, Indianapolis ’98-01) and Rod Rust (New
England ’90).
•
Served as the head coach of the freshman team at Stanford in ’65, posting a 4-0 record.
•
Had an 8-1 (.889) record in one season as head coach at Napa Junior College in Napa, California.
•
Compiled a 17-9-1 (.648) record in his first head coaching job at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, California from ’6062.
•
Served as a television analyst for NFL and college football broadcasts by CBS and ABC from ’83-96.
•
Served as a color analyst for Kansas City Chiefs preseason television broadcasts from ’89-96.
VERMEIL’S NFL HEAD COACHING CAREER
1976 – Philadelphia Eagles (4-10)
9/12
9/19
9/27
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
@ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
9/18
9/25
10/2
10/9
10/16
10/23
10/30
Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
L.A. Rams . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
7-27
20-7
17-20 OT
14-13
14-33
13-28
12-31
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
12/5
12/12
@ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
10-0
14-17
3-24
7-26
0-24
7-26
27-10
1977 – Philadelphia Eagles (5-9)
@
@
@
@
13-3
0-20
13-17
28-10
17-21
10-16
17-23
11/6
11/13
11/20
11/27
12/4
12/11
12/18
New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ New England . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
28-7
14-17
16-21
6-14
14-24
17-14
27-0
1978 – Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
9/3
9/10
9/17
9/24
10/1
10/8
10/15
10/22
10/29
L.A. Rams . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ New England . . . . . . . . . .L
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
14-16
30-35
24-17
17-3
17-14
14-24
17-10
7-14
10-16
11/5
Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/12
N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/19 @ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/26 @ St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/3
@ Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/10
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/17
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC WILD CARD
12/24 @ Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
10-3
17-9
19-17
14-10
27-28
13-31
20-3
13-14
1979 – Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
9/2
9/10
9/16
9/23
9/30
10/7
10/14
10/21
10/28
11/4
@
@
@
@
@
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Pittsburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
23-17
10-14
26-14
17-13
17-14
28-17
24-20
7-17
13-37
19-24
11/12 @ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/18
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/25 @ Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/2
Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/8
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/16 @ Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC WILD CARD
12/23
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
12/29 @ Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .L
31-21
16-13
21-10
44-7
17-24
26-20
27-17
17-24
1980 – Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
9/7
9/14
9/22
9/28
10/5
10/12
10/19
10/26
11/2
11/9
11/16
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
27-6
42-7
35-3
14-24
24-14
31-16
17-10
17-14
27-20
34-21
24-0
11/23
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/30 @ San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/7
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/14
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/21 @ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
1/3
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1/11
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
SUPER BOWL XV (@ New Orleans)
1/25
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
10-7
21-22
17-20
17-3
27-35
31-16
20-7
10-27
1981 – Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
9/6
9/13
9/17
9/27
10/5
10/11
10/18
10/25
11/1
@ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
New England . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
9/12
9/19
11/21
11/28
12/5
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
24-10
13-3
20-14
36-13
16-13
31-14
23-35
20-10
14-17
11/8
@ St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/15
Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/22
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .L
11/30 @ Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/6
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/13 @ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/20
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC WILD CARD
12/27
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .L
52-10
38-13
10-20
10-13
13-15
10-21
38-0
21-27
1982 – Philadelphia Eagles (3-6)
34-37 OT
24-21
14-18
9-13
20-23
12/11
12/19
12/26
1/2
@ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .L
7-23
35-14
24-20
24-26
1997 – St. Louis Rams (5-11)
8/31
9/7
9/14
9/21
9/28
10/12
10/19
10/26
New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
San Francisco . . . . . . . . .L
@ Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ San Francisco . . . . . . . . .L
Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . .L
9/6
9/13
9/20
9/27
10/11
10/18
10/25
11/1
New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .L
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
San Francisco . . . . . . . . .L
@ Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
38-24
12-15
14-35
13-3
17-35
10-30
9-17
20-28
11/2
11/9
11/16
11/23
11/30
12/7
12/14
12/20
@ Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
31-34
7-17
21-27
10-16
23-20
34-27
10-13
30-18
1998 – St. Louis Rams (4-12)
17-24
31-38
34-33
17-20
30-10
0-14
10-28
15-37
11/8
11/15
11/22
11/29
12/3
12/13
12/20
12/27
@ Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .L
Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . . .L
New England . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ San Francisco . . . . . . . . .L
20-12
3-24
20-24
10-21
14-17
32-18
13-20
19-38
1999 – St. Louis Rams (13-3)
9/12
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
@
@
@
@
@
Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
San Francisco . . . . . . . . .W
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
San Francisco . . . . . . . . .W
New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
27-10
35-7
38-10
42-20
41-13
34-3
21-24
27-31
35-10
23-7
43-12
12/5
@ Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/12 @ New Orleans . . . . . . . . . .W
12/19
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/26
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
1/2
@ Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . . .L
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
1/16
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1/23
Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
SUPER BOWL XXXIV (@ Atlanta)
1/30
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . .W
34-21
30-14
31-10
34-12
31-38
49-37
11-6
23-16
2001 – Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
9/9
9/23
9/30
10/7
10/14
10/21
10/25
11/4
@
@
@
@
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Washington . . . . . . . . . . .W
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Pittsburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . .L
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .W
24-27
3-13
45-13
6-20
17-20
16-24
28-35
25-20
11/11
11/25
11/29
12/9
12/16
12/23
12/30
1/6
@ N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Jacksonville . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
7-27
19-7
10-23
26-28
26-23 OT
20-17
30-26
18-21
2002 – Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
9/8
9/15
9/22
9/29
10/6
10/13
10/20
10/27
@ Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Jacksonville . . . . . . . . . . .L
@ New England . . . . . . . . . .L
Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
9/7
9/14
9/21
9/28
10/5
10/12
10/20
10/26
11/9
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Pittsburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
40-39
16-23
38-41 OT
48-30
29-25
34-35
34-37 OT
20-10
11/10
11/17
11/24
12/1
12/8
12/15
12/22
12/28
@ San Francisco . . . . . . . . .L
Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .W
@ Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
13-17
17-16
32-39
49-0
49-10
24-31
24-22
0-24
2003 – Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)
@
@
@
@
27-14
41-20
42-14
17-10
24-23
40-34 OT
17-10
38-5
41-20
11/16 @ Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
11/23
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
11/30 @ San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/8
@ Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/15
Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
12/22 @ Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . .L
12/28
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
1/11
Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . .L
19-24
27-24
28-24
27-45
45-17
20-45
31-3
31-38
2004 – Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/4
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
@ Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Jacksonville . . . . . . . . . .
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . .
@ Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . .
L
L
L
W
L
W
W
L
24-34
17-28
21-24
27-24
16-22
56-10
45-35
31-34
11/14
11/22
11/28
12/5
12/13
12/19
12/25
1/2
@ New Orleans . . . . . . . . .
New England . . . . . . . . .
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . .
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ San Diego . . . . . . . . . . .
L
L
L
W
W
W
W
L
20-27
19-27
31-34
34-27
49-38
45-17
31-30
17-24
L
W
W
W
L
L
W
W
3-14
45-17
26-16
31-27
28-31
17-27
20-7
37-3
2005 – Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
9/11
9/18
9/26
10/2
10/16
10/21
10/30
11/6
N.Y. Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . .
Washington . . . . . . . . . .
@ Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ San Diego . . . . . . . . . . .
Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . .
W
W
L
L
W
W
L
W
27-7
23-17
10-30
31-37
28-21
30-20
20-28
27-23
11/13
11/20
11/27
12/4
12/11
12/17
12/24
1/1
@ Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New England . . . . . . . . .
Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
@ N.Y. Giants . . . . . . . . . . .
San Diego . . . . . . . . . . .
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DICK VERMEIL
Lamar Hunt
Founder - Kansas City Chiefs
“On behalf of the entire Hunt family, I would like to personally thank Dick Vermeil for
his five years of service to the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. He and his staff helped
provide the Chiefs with one of the most exciting five-year spans in franchise history.
Just as importantly, we congratulate him on his many contributions to the game of
professional football over his dedicated and distinguished coaching career. The Hunt
family owes a debt of gratitude to both he and his wife Carol for coming to Kansas City.
We have a tremendous admiration and appreciation for his career accomplishments as
he departs the coaching profession with the third-highest victory total in Chiefs history. We wish Dick, Carol and
the entire Vermeil family the very best.
“It would be impossible to chronicle all of the many memorable moments over the past five seasons, however
I would be remiss if I did not mention a few. We witnessed the emergence of Priest Holmes as the NFL’s leading
rusher in 2001. There was an improbable win at Cleveland in 2002, as well as back-to-back 49-point games
near the end of that season. Of course, a 9-0 start and a season full of highlights marked the 2003 season that
culminated with a 13-3 record and an AFC West title. Dante Hall raced into the record books that year, becoming
one of nine Chiefs to make the Pro Bowl that season. And who can forget Priest Holmes scoring 27 rushing
touchdowns that season.
“In 2004, there was a dominating win vs. Atlanta that featured an NFL-record eight rushing touchdowns
and a thrilling victory at Arrowhead against our 2003 playoff nemesis, Indianapolis. Tony Gonzalez continued
his assault on the Chiefs record book and set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 102 catches,
furthering his case as one of the finest players to ever play his position. In 2005, the stellar play of our blocking
unit was once again highlighted as Kansas City’s all-time games started ironman Will Shields joined with Willie
Roaf and Brian Waters to form a trio of Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the second consecutive season. That
offensive line paved the way for a remarkable late-season run of success for Larry Johnson. And perhaps most
importantly, for every game of the Vermeil era that covered 80 regular season games and one postseason
contest, Trent Green served as the consummate leader calling the signals as our starting quarterback. Again, on
behalf of the Hunt family, we thank Coach Vermeil for helping making these past five seasons one of the most
memorable periods in Kansas City Chiefs history.”
Carl Peterson
President - Kansas City Chiefs
“Dick Vermeil gave the Kansas City Chiefs, this community, the Hunt family and
me personally five years of his life. His lovely wife, Carol, was very gracious to allow
us to share him. Dick, and particularly Carol, have really contributed greatly to our
community. Dick is, in my mind, truly a Hall of Fame coach and the best that I have
ever worked with. He has taken three NFL teams that were not winning preceding his
arrival and made them winners. Moreover, he’s won division championships with three
different teams and taken two of his NFL teams to the Super Bowl. Those are Hall of
Fame credentials, as I see them.
“But perhaps his best asset is that he is the finest person I have ever known in building and maintaining
personal relationships. They range across the entire spectrum of this business and include players, football
support staff, media, fans – literally everyone in a football organization and really anyone he’s met. With him,
relationships last forever. He’s truly the finest person I have ever met and it’s been my privilege to call him a
friend and to have worked with him at UCLA, Philadelphia and Kansas City.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DICK VERMEIL
Trent Green
Quarterback - Kansas City Chiefs
“When you talk about quality coaches and quality people like Coach Vermeil and
the opportunity that he had the chance to coach three different NFL teams and the fact
that he hand-picked me to be his quarterback on two of those three occasions, I don’t
take that lightly. I take a great deal of pride in that, but I also feel a tremendous sense
of responsibility.
“My goal when I got here was to get Coach Vermeil another championship, to
get Lamar Hunt another championship and get the City of Kansas City another
championship. We haven’t gotten that done, yet. Because Coach Vermeil has decided to move on, that doesn’t
change what my goals are. It doesn’t change what I’m trying to get accomplished for this organization and for
this community. I take that as a very big responsibility. This isn’t just a job where I show up and play football,
it’s much bigger than that. As much as I’m going to miss Coach Vermeil, I’m still going to be striving to lead our
team to those goals. I just really appreciate the time that I’ve had with him. There’s been so many lessons he’s
taught me, not only about football, but also about life and how to treat people. For all of that, I can never thank
him enough.
“He really is as much a teacher and a father figure as he is a coach. I think he takes as much pride in seeing
how guys develop as young men, whether it be as a high school coach, a college coach or an NFL coach. When
he goes on and he sees these guys who he’s been able to help mold to go onto their lives after football and
when he sees what they’ve been able to accomplish, I think he takes as much pride in that as all the wins he’s
gotten over the years and the Super Bowls he’s been to. I just hope that now that the football aspect of his life
has come to an end, that he just enjoys it. He’s worked hard, so now it’s time to sit back, drink some wine and
watch some football. I know he’ll never completely get away from football, but I hope he’s able to enjoy his family
and friends. I just wish he and Carol all the best.”
Dante Hall
Wide Receiver - Kansas City Chiefs
“I could write a novel about Coach Vermeil. He has meant the world to me as far as
my career is concerned. I really don’t believe I would have enjoyed this type of success
unless he came to Kansas City. Nobody else believed in me the way he did. As far as
my career is concerned I really believe no Dick Vermeil, no Dante Hall, no X-Factor.
“On a personal note he is like a father figure to me, something that I did not have
growing up. He has taught me so many things pertaining to life that have helped me
mature as both a player and as a father to my own son. I got support in my life from my
mother, but I didn’t have that father figure. Coach Vermeil has been that father figure for me and I’m glad he’ll
always be there for me, even if he’s not coaching the Chiefs anymore.
“The belief he had in me and the faith he had in me early in my career really made all the difference in the
world to me. The thing I will always remember about Coach Vermeil is the hug that we shared on the field when
I got my first touchdown on a punt return (vs. Arizona – 12/1/02). I have that picture up at my house. It means a
lot to me. It was the best way I could reward him for believing in me that I could be an NFL player.”
Marty Schottenheimer
Head Coach - San Diego Chargers
“Dick Vermeil has been one of the finest coaches in the NFL for many years. His
attention to detail and his ability to prepare his teams to play their best is widely
recognized. An outstanding ability to communicate and relate to his players is
the foundation of his success. I consider Dick a most worthy adversary and more
importantly, among the finest individuals I have known in over 35 years of professional
football.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DICK VERMEIL
Joe Gibbs
Head Coach - Washington Redskins
“We used to talk a lot when he was doing TV work and everything. We talked about
him coaching and we coached against each other obviously. I always appreciate him
because he is always so honest and frank. I thought he is really a sharp and squaredaway guy. We also have an interest in motor sports and his family is involved in some
way. So we shared a lot in common and when I came back to be truthful I think he
probably talked to me more than anybody else. He sent me some material when we
were kind of going through a tough time last year. He was one of the guys that helped
pick me up. I have a lot of respect for him. He is a very disciplined, sharp person and
a very hard worker.”
Marvin Lewis
Head Coach - Cincinnati Bengals
“He is tremendous. Anybody that’s ever played for him or coached with him or for
him, he means a great deal to them. I got to meet him the first time when he was
doing TV. He’s as genuine as you see. There’s nothing fake about him. He and his
wife are tremendous people. The game will lose something if Coach does retire. What
he went through in St. Louis, and to be there opening game that year when they went
on to win the Super Bowl, and all the things he was going through, it’s amazing. It’s a
great lesson for many coaches that have gone through that. They stayed the course,
quarterback gets hurt in the third preseason game, they got a new quarterback to open
the season and supposedly his job’s on the line ... all of those things. And then they go on to win the Super
Bowl. Just tremendous.”
Brent Musburger
Broadcaster - ABC Sports
“Coach Vermeil is one of my favorite people in all of sports, not just as a colleague
or someone I worked with in the broadcast booth. He’s an individual who I dearly
respect. I can really understand why football through the decades, whether it be in
high school, college or the NFL rallied around him. He’s warm, he’s knowledgeable and
above all else, he’s honest. I think if you asked the Kansas City Chiefs players what
they respected the most about Dick Vermeil, it’s his honesty in dealing with them.
“After making the jump from UCLA to the Philadelphia Eagles, he guided that
team all the way from the depths of the NFC East all the way to the Super Bowl. That was a wonderful
accomplishment. When I was on the NFL Today and covering the Eagles, they always gave us a hard-fought
contest. They always showed up on Sunday and they always played hard. Then he goes to St. Louis and that
team was way, way down when he got there. He loses QB Trent Green, yet he’s still able to guide that team to
the Super Bowl. Then he goes to Kansas City and the final result was not the same as Philadelphia or St. Louis.
But the Chiefs were always a team that you enjoyed watching every week. Dick Vermeil’s teams always played
hard and played with emotion. He belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Bill Parcells
Head Coach - Dallas Cowboys
“Dick Vermeil is a good friend and someone I enjoyed competing against over the
past 25 years. He had a great respect for the game of football and is a credit to the
sport. The NFL will not be the same without him.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DICK VERMEIL
Tom Coughlin
Head Coach - New York Giants
“Dick Vermeil is a great guy. He is probably, to a fault, one of the most loyal people
you will ever, ever meet. If you are a friend of Dick Vermeil’s, you are a friend forever. If
you are a player who has played for Dick Vermeil, has been a good football player, you
have got someone who will champion your cause forever. He is that kind of guy.
“He has tremendous energy about what he is doing. He has been doing it for a long
time. He is very eloquent and he is obviously very emotional. But he does a great job
of expressing himself and he is a worker. There is no question about that. His training
camps always were bang, bang, bang, padded, work hard kind of a camps. He has a good sense. He has
veteran players in key positions that are Dick Vermeil guys. I really enjoyed my time with him (during training
camp of 2003). It was fun to be around his camp and get to know the coaches and the equipment guys and the
trainers – those kinds of people.
“I met Dick Vermeil a long time ago when I first went to Philadelphia as an assistant coach (in ’84). Marion
Campbell had hired me. Dick was still in the area and he would come to training camp. He wanted to get to know
the coaches and who you were. And then I really got to know him well when I was the head coach at Boston
College and he was working in television. He would come in on a Thursday, which was different from other guys.
He looked at tape Thursday and Friday. So I got to know him really well at that time.
“In addition to acknowledging what kind of person Dick is, we are also paying tribute to the fact that he is an
excellent coach. He has been named coach of the years at the high school, junior college, Division I and NFL
levels. He has an uncompromising work ethic. I know a lot of the guys who were on his staff in Philadelphia, and
my sense is they had to be very disciplined to keep up with Dick. The guys who had been with Dick and that
Marion Campbell kept on his staff – Fred Bruney, Ken Iman, Chuck Clausen, George Hill – those guys loved
Dick Vermeil. To this day, when you talk to those guys, and people like Mike Dougherty – the video director, they
love him.
“The true quality of the man is that he is absolutely sincere when he asks how you are doing or how your
family is doing. He’s not asking because it says to do so in line 39 of the coach’s manual. He is doing it because
he cares and that comes through very strongly when you are in his presence. He is a great guy and a great
friend. I am going to miss not having him in this league. The coaching fraternity has changed. Because of the
pressure and the turnover in these jobs, we go out on the field and we each stand at our respective ends and
we don’t talk. But not with Dick. Even in that setting, with the competition just minutes away, he is like a magnet
and he wants to know how you are doing because he cares.”
Mike Shanahan
Head Coach - Denver Broncos
“Dick Vermeil was a great coach and leader, and the game will miss him. I know he
is as committed to his family as he was to his teams and I wish him the very best in his
well-earned retirement.”