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USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
John Harbaugh's legendary career gets its due with eye-opening HC ranking
The proper respect is given to the Ravens' John Harbaugh in a recent ranking of NFL head coaches. Whenever we discuss the Baltimore Ravens' rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers, we mention bruised bodies and longtime animosity. We mention legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers, and though we talk about the longevity of two great head coaches, we probably don't delve into what they have accomplished often enough. No two current leaders of any two football teams have met at midfield to exchange postgame handshakes more often than John Harbaugh and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. In total, they've locked horns 38 times, and it will be a long time before any two meet or exceed their number. Harbaugh enters year 18 as Ravens head coach. His tenure is second only to, you guessed it, Mike Tomlin. He enters year 19. John Harbaugh lands third on Pro Football Network's ranking of NFL head coaches. Time has flown. Though he still looks like he is in his twenties, Harbaugh's near-20-year run enters another season with much on the line. The same is true for Tomlin. The Steelers will be expected to qualify for postseason contention as well. Their annual pair of clashes will have much to say about where they are seeded. Pro Football Network's Brandon Austin recently ranked the NFL's head coaches. These two rivals both earned top-ten rankings. Tomlin lands at seven. Harbaugh is ranked third. Here's Austin's reasoning behind placing John among the top three. "John Harbaugh has been a model of consistency since taking over as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach in 2008. A Super Bowl champion, Harbaugh has delivered double-digit win seasons in six of the past seven years, with just one losing record since 2016... Harbaugh's adaptability is one of his greatest strengths. He won with Joe Flacco. Then, once Lamar Jackson arrived, he and the staff reshaped the team around his unique skill set, and it worked faster than many expected." No lies have been told so far. Let's continue... "Harbaugh has stood the test of time, battling in two separate loaded AFC eras. He went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger. Now, he's perennially challenging Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow for conference supremacy." Coach Harbaugh is only exceeded on this list by Andy Reid and Sean McVay. Nick Sirianni (ranked fourth) and Dan Campbell (fifth) round out the top five. Kyle Shanahan (sixth), Jim Harbaugh (eighth), Matt LaFleur (ninth), and Sean Payton (tenth) round out the top ten. Typically, when we discuss the brilliance of what we see on the sidelines weekly, Harbaugh isn't brought up. Some see that as being disrespectful. That's understandable, but perhaps this happiness serves another purpose. Could an argument be made that John Harbaugh is so good that he is taken for granted? Don't worry. Another Vince Lombardi Trophy will place him in rare air. He'll have a chance to win one next February as, thanks to his leadership, Baltimore will again be among the AFC's top Super Bowl contenders.
Fox News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Which college coaches have the most first-round NFL draft picks of all time?
When recruits are picking where they want to play college football, the vast majority of them prioritize which program will give them the best path to the NFL. Many coaches have been able to help fulfill those dreams, but a select few have been elite at getting their players drafted in the first round over the years. Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, eleven college football head coaches have at least 20 players selected in the first round. Georgia's Kirby Smart and Ohio State's Ryan Day could join that list soon. Smart has seen 16 of his Bulldogs get selected in Round 1 since he became their head coach in 2016, with linebacker Jalon Walker, edge rusher and safety Malaki Starks being viewed as potential first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Day, meanwhile, has coached 10 first-round picks since becoming Ohio State's head coach in 2019, with offensive tackle Josh Simmons, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and running back TreVeyon Henderson each being featured as first-round picks ahead of this year's draft. For now, Smart and Day are on the outside looking in. Here are the top 10 coaches at producing first-round picks. As Osborne turned Nebraska into a powerhouse during his 25-year stint (1973-97), he coached a lot of first-round talent over the years. Wide receiver Irving Fryar was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft and one of seven players that was a top-five pick that Osborne coached at Nebraska. Neil Smith was arguably the best off the bench, with the defensive end recording six Pro Bowls after the Chiefs selected him with the second overall pick in 1988. Cooper's Ohio State teams in the 1990s were loaded with NFL talent and future Hall of Famers. Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson (1994) and offensive tackle Orlando Pace (1997) were the No. 1 overall picks in their respective draft years. Six more of Cooper's players at Ohio State were selected in the top 10, including wide receivers Joey Galloway and Terry Glenn. Hall of Fame guard Randall McDaniel also became a first-round pick after Cooper coached him at Arizona State. Coker coached a few of the most NFL-talent-infused teams in college football at Miami. Naturally, a bunch of those players became first-round picks. While he never coached a player who became the No. 1 overall pick, the first-round picks that Coker coached at Miami became Pro Football Hall of Famers (Andre Johnson, Ed Reed, Devin Hester). Ten other players coached by Coker that were selected in the first round also became Pro Bowlers. In the 2004 NFL Draft, six Miami players were drafted in the first round, which is tied for the most all-time from one school. Holtz's coaching career is mostly associated with Notre Dame as he helped return the Fighting Irish to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, but the national championship-winning coach coached up first-round picks at three stops. At Arkansas, he helped make defensive tackle Dan Hampton become the fourth overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft. At South Carolina, Holtz coached defensive end John Abraham, who was the 13th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Of course, most of the first-round picks Holtz coached came during his stint at Notre Dame. Thirteen of his former Fighting Irish players were first-round picks, with Hall of Famer Tim Brown being chief among them. In two separate stints as USC's head coach, Robinson coached 22 first-round picks over 12 seasons. Two of them were No. 1 overall picks (RB Ricky Bell in 1977, WR Keyshawn Johnson in 1996), with seven of Robinson's other USC players being selected in the top five. The group of players Robinson selected who were picked in the top five includes Hall of Famers Anthony Munoz and Tony Boselli. Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott was also a first-round pick coached by Robinson. Brown coached first-round picks during both of his stints at UNC and during his reign at Texas. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft after playing for Brown, while Drake Maye will likely be the last player coached by Brown to be a first-round pick. Among Brown's former Texas players, Vince Young was also the third pick in the draft, like Maye. But Ricky Williams, Leonard Davis, Casey Hampton, Roy Williams, Brian Orakpo and Earl Thomas were among the players who played for Brown at Texas that were first-round picks and became Pro Bowlers. Meyer made Florida and Ohio State factories for NFL prospects during his time at each program. With the Gators, he helped mold Reggie Nelson, Percy Harvin, Joe Haden and the Pouncey twins (Maurkice and Mike) into first-round picks. He coached another pair of brothers into top-three picks at Ohio State, with Joey and Nick Bosa each being a top-three pick in their respective draft years. Ryan Shazier, Ezekiel Elliott, Taylor Decker, Denzel Ward, Chase Young and Joe Burrow are also among the group of players who became first-round picks after Meyer coached them at OSU. Quite possibly no school has developed NFL talent better than Ohio State, so it's no surprise to see three Ohio State coaches on this list. Tom Cousineau was the only former player of Hayes to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick, as the Buffalo Bills drafted the linebacker first in 1979. There were four years in the 1970s when multiple Ohio State players were selected in the first round. Bowden enjoyed a great deal of success during his time at Florida State, winning two national titles as the Seminoles became perennial contenders over 25 years at the helm. But he got some help from marquee NFL talent along the way, too. Deion Sanders was the most prominent player under Bowden who became a first-round pick, but Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks and Walter Jones and three-time Pro Bowler Warrick Dunn are among the others on that list. Just like Bowden, Paterno coached up a lot of first-round picks at one stop while making his program a near perennial contender. Franco Harris became a Hall of Famer after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. Mike Munchak also became a Hall of Famer after the Houston Oilers took him with the eighth overall pick in 1982. Eleven other former Nittany Lions players who were first-round picks became Pro Bowlers after playing for Paterno, but neither of them were Ki-Jana Carter and Courtney Brown, who are the only former Penn State players to be taken with the first overall pick. Saban is the only coach who could legitimately field a full team of players who became first-round picks after playing college football for him. He coached Plaxico Burress to become a first-round pick during his time at Michigan State, with three of his former Spartans players becoming first-round selections. Dwayne Bowe was the most notable player Saban coached at LSU who later became a first-round pick. Of course, Saban's time at Alabama is where most people will associate with him. Twenty players Saban coached at Alabama who were first-round picks also became Pro Bowlers, and that doesn't include the likes of DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle. They were a part of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Alabama tying the record for most first-round picks in a single draft class that year with six. Check out all of our Daily Rankers. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Which college coaches have the most first-round NFL draft picks of all time?
When recruits are picking where they want to play college football, the vast majority of them prioritize which program will give them the best path to the NFL. Many coaches have been able to help fulfill those dreams, but a select few have been elite at getting their players drafted in the first round over the years. Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, eleven college football head coaches have at least 20 players selected in the first round. Georgia's Kirby Smart and Ohio State's Ryan Day could join that list soon. Smart has seen 16 of his Bulldogs get selected in Round 1 since he became their head coach in 2016, with linebacker Jalon Walker, edge rusher and safety Malaki Starks being viewed as potential first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Day, meanwhile, has coached 10 first-round picks since becoming Ohio State's head coach in 2019, with offensive tackle Josh Simmons, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and running back TreVeyon Henderson each being featured as first-round picks ahead of this year's draft. For now, Smart and Day are on the outside looking in. Here are the top 10 coaches at producing first-round picks. Top 10 coaches who've coached most first-round NFL picks T-9. Tom Osborne: 20 As Osborne turned Nebraska into a powerhouse during his 25-year stint (1973-97), he coached a lot of first-round talent over the years. Wide receiver Irving Fryar was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft and one of seven players that was a top-five pick that Osborne coached at Nebraska. Neil Smith was arguably the best off the bench, with the defensive end recording six Pro Bowls after the Chiefs selected him with the second overall pick in 1988. T-9. John Cooper: 20 Cooper's Ohio State teams in the 1990s were loaded with NFL talent and future Hall of Famers. Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson (1994) and offensive tackle Orlando Pace (1997) were the No. 1 overall picks in their respective draft years. Six more of Cooper's players at Ohio State were selected in the top 10, including wide receivers Joey Galloway and Terry Glenn. Hall of Fame guard Randall McDaniel also became a first-round pick after Cooper coached him at Arizona State. T-9. Larry Coker: 20 Coker coached a few of the most NFL-talent-infused teams in college football at Miami. Naturally, a bunch of those players became first-round picks. While he never coached a player who became the No. 1 overall pick, the first-round picks that Coker coached at Miami became Pro Football Hall of Famers (Andre Johnson, Ed Reed, Devin Hester). Ten other players coached by Coker that were selected in the first round also became Pro Bowlers. In the 2004 NFL Draft, six Miami players were drafted in the first round, which is tied for the most all-time from one school. 8. Lou Holtz: 21 Holtz's coaching career is mostly associated with Notre Dame as he helped return the Fighting Irish to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, but the national championship-winning coach coached up first-round picks at three stops. At Arkansas, he helped make defensive tackle Dan Hampton become the fourth overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft. At South Carolina, Holtz coached defensive end John Abraham, who was the 13th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Of course, most of the first-round picks Holtz coached came during his stint at Notre Dame. Thirteen of his former Fighting Irish players were first-round picks, with Hall of Famer Tim Brown being chief among them. T-6. John Robinson: 22 In two separate stints as USC's head coach, Robinson coached 22 first-round picks over 12 seasons. Two of them were No. 1 overall picks (RB Ricky Bell in 1977, WR Keyshawn Johnson in 1996), with seven of Robinson's other USC players being selected in the top five. The group of players Robinson selected who were picked in the top five includes Hall of Famers Anthony Munoz and Tony Boselli. Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott was also a first-round pick coached by Robinson. T-6. Mack Brown: 22 Brown coached first-round picks during both of his stints at UNC and during his reign at Texas. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft after playing for Brown, while Drake Maye will likely be the last player coached by Brown to be a first-round pick. Among Brown's former Texas players, Vince Young was also the third pick in the draft, like Maye. But Ricky Williams, Leonard Davis, Casey Hampton, Roy Williams, Brian Orakpo and Earl Thomas were among the players who played for Brown at Texas that were first-round picks and became Pro Bowlers. 5. Urban Meyer: 23 Meyer made Florida and Ohio State factories for NFL prospects during his time at each program. With the Gators, he helped mold Reggie Nelson, Percy Harvin, Joe Haden and the Pouncey twins (Maurkice and Mike) into first-round picks. He coached another pair of brothers into top-three picks at Ohio State, with Joey and Nick Bosa each being a top-three pick in their respective draft years. Ryan Shazier, Ezekiel Elliott, Taylor Decker, Denzel Ward, Chase Young and Joe Burrow are also among the group of players who became first-round picks after Meyer coached them at OSU. 4. Woody Hayes: 27 Quite possibly no school has developed NFL talent better than Ohio State, so it's no surprise to see three Ohio State coaches on this list. Tom Cousineau was the only former player of Hayes to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick, as the Buffalo Bills drafted the linebacker first in 1979. There were four years in the 1970s when multiple Ohio State players were selected in the first round. 3. Bobby Bowden: 32 Bowden enjoyed a great deal of success during his time at Florida State, winning two national titles as the Seminoles became perennial contenders over 25 years at the helm. But he got some help from marquee NFL talent along the way, too. Deion Sanders was the most prominent player under Bowden who became a first-round pick, but Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks and Walter Jones and three-time Pro Bowler Warrick Dunn are among the others on that list. 2. Joe Paterno: 33 Just like Bowden, Paterno coached up a lot of first-round picks at one stop while making his program a near perennial contender. Franco Harris became a Hall of Famer after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. Mike Munchak also became a Hall of Famer after the Houston Oilers took him with the eighth overall pick in 1982. Eleven other former Nittany Lions players who were first-round picks became Pro Bowlers after playing for Paterno, but neither of them were Ki-Jana Carter and Courtney Brown, who are the only former Penn State players to be taken with the first overall pick. 1. Nick Saban: 52 Saban is the only coach who could legitimately field a full team of players who became first-round picks after playing college football for him. He coached Plaxico Burress to become a first-round pick during his time at Michigan State, with three of his former Spartans players becoming first-round selections. Dwayne Bowe was the most notable player Saban coached at LSU who later became a first-round pick. Of course, Saban's time at Alabama is where most people will associate with him. Twenty players Saban coached at Alabama who were first-round picks also became Pro Bowlers, and that doesn't include the likes of DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle. They were a part of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Alabama tying the record for most first-round picks in a single draft class that year with six. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox News
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Cowboys' All-Pro offensive lineman Zack Martin retires after 11 seasons
Dallas Cowboys star offensive lineman Zack Martin is retiring after 11 seasons. Martin, 34, informed Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones of his decision on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Martin started 162 games over the course of his 11-year career and was a foundational piece of the Cowboys offensive line. Martin made the Pro Bowl nine times and was named an All-Pro seven times. Throughout his illustrious career, Martin only had seven accepted holding penalties, equaling his number of All-Pro selections. Since being drafted 16th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Martin became an anchor for the Cowboys offensive line. The only two years Martin did not make the Pro Bowl were the only seasons in which he played fewer than 14 games. Only Bob Lilly (11), Larry Allen (10), Mel Renfro (10), and Jason Witten (11) made the Pro Bowl more times than Martin in Cowboys history. Lilly, Allen, and Renfro are Pro Football Hall of Famers, while Witten is eligible for the first time this season. The only player with more first-team All-Pro selections since Martin entered the league in 2014 is Aaron Donald, who has eight and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer once eligible. Martin considered retiring in the preseason of 2023, when he was holding out for a new contract, but then agreed to a reworked contract that was essentially a two-year deal. With Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith, the Cowboys had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Smith was the stalwart left tackle who made eight Pro Bowls, with Frederick as the center and Martin at right guard. Smith departed for the New York Jets in free agency prior to last season. Frederick surprisingly retired after his sixth season in 2019. He was sidelined all for of 2018 by Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the nervous system. Frederick decided after returning for one more season that he couldn't perform to his expectations. Smith, Martin and Frederick were the Cowboys' first-round picks in 2011, 2014 and 2013, and they hit on all of them. Now all of them are gone, and the Cowboys are looking to rebuild their offensive line. Brock Hoffman started in Martin's place late last season and figures to continue in that role, as the Cowboys look to get back to the playoffs after going 7-10 last season. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Story from James Hardie Invitational: From the gridiron to the green, see football and golf greats on PGA TOUR Champions stage
Melissa Karns, for the James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational This spring, sports fans have a unique chance to see legends of football and golf on the same stage. Trading the gridiron for the green, football greats will show off their skills, alongside today's hottest golf pros, all while raising money for a good cause. The James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational will take place March 31 through April 6 at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Florida. This inaugural event pairs 26 Pro Football Hall of Famers with 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals for an unforgettable experience. The invitational is part of the PGA TOUR Champions, featuring professional golfers aged 50 and older, including some of the biggest names in PGA TOUR Champions history. Players will compete for a $2.2 million purse, ensuring intense competition over the three-day event. Having football legends play alongside the golfing pros on Friday and Saturday rounds is sure to create a unique atmosphere that blends two sports worlds. Here's who you can expect to see at the James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. From the gridiron to the green The tournament brings some of the biggest names in football to the golf course. Superstar Marshall Faulk, widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, and Tim Brown, one of the top receivers of his era with 1,000 receptions and 100 touchdowns in his career, will be among the participants. Defensive stars like Warren Sapp and Rondé Barber will trade the gridiron for the fairways, while offensive linemen Orlando Pace and Anthony Muñoz will harness their power for putting. Other notable Pro Football Hall of Famers committed include Calvin Johnson, Derrick Brooks, and DeMarcus Ware. These players, all celebrated for their accomplishments on the gridiron, will test their skills in a different sport, adding a new layer of excitement for fans at the invitational. And the list goes on. Additional football legends who have committed to play include Mike Haynes, a smooth and skilled cornerback known for his exceptional coverage, and Steve Hutchinson, a dominant offensive guard celebrated for his run-blocking abilities. Morten Andersen, one of the sport's most reliable kickers, will also take part. These stars will join wide receiver Andre Reed and defensive tackle John Randle, among others, rounding out a roster of athletes whose achievements span decades. Celebrating 100 years of Boca Raton This event is a highlight of Boca Raton's 100th anniversary celebrations. Known for its vibrant community and historical significance, the city is a fitting host for an occasion that brings together those who have achieved the most in their chosen fields. It's for these reasons that Boca has become known as the 'Home of Legends,' befitting an event that unites legends in golf, football and more. As the city reflects on its history, the tournament is expected to serve as a reminder of its bright future. And The Old Course at Broken Sound, recognized for its challenging layout and pristine conditions, will provide an appropriately stunning backdrop for the event. Giving back to the community Proceeds from the event will support local and national charities, including Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County, and First Tee. The Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation will benefit from contributions that enhance area health care services. Habitat for Humanity will use the funds to continue building safe, affordable housing for families in need, while First Tee aims to teach valuable life skills and character development through golf. Giving back is one way the event will make a difference beyond the golf course. 'We're filled with anticipation to see the legends of golf and football together on the course, but we're most excited about the possibilities this platform will offer us to activate our purpose — Building A Better Future for All,' said Aaron Erter, chief executive officer at James Hardie™. The James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational promises to be a memorable blend of football and golf, complemented by a full schedule of parties, celebratory events, and off-course happenings to ensure a fun and exciting week for everyone involved. Tickets are now available at Find out more about the James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, the Home of Legends, including updates on participants and schedules at
