LAS VEGAS — Former NFL and college coaches entering the world of television broadcasting isn’t a new concept. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban accepted an analyst position with ESPN’s College GameDay this week. Bill Belichick might enter the media after failing to land a head coaching job this offseason.
But transitions going the other way — broadcasters turned coaches — aren’t as common.
San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese took that path heading into the 2022 NFL season, departing ESPN after more than a decade to join Kyle Shanahan’s staff. Speaking to Pro Football Network during Super Bowl week, Griese offered some advice for other commentators who might want to follow his lead.
Who Else Will Follow Brian Griese’s Broadcaster-to-Coach Route?
Griese, 48, won a national championship at Michigan before spending time with four teams over 11 seasons in the NFL.
After retiring in 2009, he was part of ESPN’s college football before joining Steve Levy and Louis Riddick in the Monday Night Football booth from 2020 to 2021.
ESPN hired Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to take over MNF in 2022, forcing Griese to consider career alternatives, and joining Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco made the most sense.
Griese and Shanahan were together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2004 to 2005 when Griese was the club’s sometimes starter, and Shanahan was an offensive quality control coach. Griese was also drafted by Shanahan’s father, former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan.
Years in the booth helped Griese develop a global view of the NFL. Instead of honing in on his own team or upcoming opponent, Griese had to consider the broader landscape of the league.
“I think it can give you a perspective,” Griese said. “I think if you’re asking the right questions, and you can see how other people think. How other coordinators think — because you’re interviewing coordinators every week.
“You can take a pulse as to what’s going on around the league. You’re watching a lot of tape. I think it can help.”
His advice to potential commentators turned coaches?
“Make sure you understand the hours,” Griese said.
Who could follow Griese from the press box to the sideline? A few potential candidates stand out.
Greg Olsen
Widely regarded as the top NFL analyst working in television, Greg Olsen will still be losing his job as FOX’s No. 1 commentator. Tom Brady is set to take over the role alongside play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt after signing a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX following his retirement.
FOX’s entire broadcast is outstanding, but Olsen is the crown jewel. He has a genuine knack for distilling often complicated concepts down to their essence, simplifying X’s and O’s for football diehards and casual fans alike.
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The Athletic reported in November that Olsen would have been interested in the Carolina Panthers’ head coaching vacancy this offseason had he been approached. Olsen spent the most productive years of his 14-year NFL career with the Panthers, earning three Pro Bowls and two second-team All-Pro nods.
Olsen never interviewed for Carolina’s HC job or any other open position around the league. He might have to start as a positional coach like Griese, but Olsen would likely succeed in the coaching ranks if he ever leaves FOX.
Charles Davis
While CBS Sports’ Charles Davis never actually played in the NFL following a productive college career at Tennessee, he offers the varied experience that might aid a transition into coaching.
Davis has a bit of coaching experience, having worked at the University of the Pacific in 1989. He’s worked for the SEC, directed the US Olympic Training Center, served as Stanford’s assistant athletic director, and coordinated the Walt Disney World Golf Classic.
Like Olsen, Davis is a wizard at diagramming what’s happening during an NFL game. A talented communicator and leader, Davis could probably land a positional coaching job. But he may not want to leave the comfort of the booth as he approaches 60 years old.
Dan Orlovsky
After a long NFL career as a backup quarterback, Dan Orlovsky became an ESPN analyst in 2017. One of the most prominent analysts in media, Orlovsky replaced Griese on ESPN’s No. 2 NFL announcing crew in 2022.
Orlovsky was connected to coaching positions last offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Orlovsky had interviewed for “prominent offensive coaching roles” with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers.
Orlovsky seems to have some level of interest in joining an offensive staff, likely as a quarterbacks coach or passing game coordinator. He hasn’t taken any known interviews this year, but that might change in the future.
Darius Butler
A former second-round pick, Darius Butler struggled early in his career with the New England Patriots before finding stable footing with the Colts. Those tribulations might help Butler relate with and coach players if he ever left his role in the media.
Butler held a defensive backs segment on The Pat McAfee Show in 2022 before appearing thrice weekly this past season. He also calls NFL games on ESPN Radio.
MORE: J.J. Watt Opens Up About His Transition From Player to Broadcaster
Given Butler’s level of detail while breaking down DB play on social media, a role as a DBs coach or defensive passing game coordinator would make a lot of sense.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
