Friday's P.M. Hot Clicks: Kyra Santoro; When NFL Coaches Were Players

Friday's P.M. Hot Clicks feature the lovely Kyra Santoro and a look at when current NFL coaches were players
Friday's P.M. Hot Clicks: Kyra Santoro; When NFL Coaches Were Players
Friday's P.M. Hot Clicks: Kyra Santoro; When NFL Coaches Were Players /

When NFL Coaches Were Players

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​There are nine current NFL coaches who were once players in the league. Can you name them all? (When you're done trying, see our gallery below or the full-size version here. Speaking of the NFL, here's a huge index of fantasy football articles, position rankings and more as you get set to dominate your league.

When NFL Coaches Were Players

Gary Kubiak

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Heinz Kluetmeier; Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Drafted by the Broncos in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL draft, Gary Kubiak served as John Elway's backup for his entire career. After Kubiak retired, it seemed like his coaching career would follow a similar pattern. He served as the offense coordinator in Denver for 11 years, but in 2006 he was named the second head coach in Houston Texans history. On Dec. 6, 2013, Kubiak was fired after eight years in Houston (61-64), but Denver brought him back home when he signed a four-year deal to become their head coach in 2015. Kubiak's Broncos went on to win Super Bowl 50, 24-10 over the Panthers.

Jack Del Rio

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Joseph Patronite, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 1985 NFL draft, Jack Del Rio played with four teams over 11 seasons and made the 1994 Pro Bowl with the Vikings. A ferocious linebacker in his playing days, Jack Del Rio brought the same intensity to the sidelines as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11. After three years as Denver's defensive coordinator, Del Rio was named Oakland's head coach in 2015.

Todd Bowles

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AP; Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Todd Bowles played safety for eight NFL seasons, seven with the Redskins, and started in Super Bowl XXII. Bowles had 15 career interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and two sacks. After two seasons as Arizona's defensive coordinator (2013-14), Bowles signed a four-year deal to become the head coach of the New York Jets in 2015.

Ron Rivera

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Berstein Associates/Getty Images; Simon Bruty

The linebacker out of Cal was selected in the second round of the 1984 draft by the Bears. Despite spending nine seasons in Chicago as a player, Ron Rivera's time as a coach there did not end well. After elevating the Bears' defense to an elite level as the defensive coordinator, Rivera was a hot coaching candidate in 2006. When no other team hired him, the Bears cut their losses, announcing they would not renew Rivera's contract. Rivera landed on his feet as an assistant coach in San Diego, and in 2011 he was named head coach of the Carolina Panthers. In 2015, Rivera led the Panthers to a league-best 15-1 record, and to Super Bowl 50 where his team lost to the Broncos, 24-10.

Jason Garrett

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Stephen Dunn, Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Largely a backup for his entire career, Jason Garrett enjoyed his career highlight in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day 1994. Garrett led the Cowboys to a come-from-behind victory over the Packers, finishing with 311 passing yards and two touchdowns. When he was named the interim head coach of the Cowboys on Nov. 8, 2010, Garrett piloted a similarly shocking upset: a 33-20 victory over the favored New York Giants at the Meadowlands. He has remained the head coach ever since.

Doug Pederson

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Al Bello/Getty Images; Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire

Doug Pederson played quarterback professionally for 12 years, most notably as Brett Favre’s backup in Green Bay. While playing for the Eagles in 1999, he served as a temporary starter ahead of rookie Donovan McNabb. Pederson later joined their coaching staff in 2009, beginning as offensive quality control coach and then serving as quarterbacks coach from 2011-2012. He followed Andy Reid to Kansas City after the head coach parted ways with the Eagles in 2012, working as offensive coordinator for the Chiefs from 2013-15. The Eagles hired Pederson to replace Chip Kelly as the team's head coach in 2016.

Sean Payton

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Bill Smith; Damian Strohmeyer

Undrafted quarterback Sean Payton toiled in the AFL and CFL before catching on with the Bears during the 1987 NFL players strike. His road to a head coaching job was less circuitous, as he rose from quarterback coach to head coach in fewer than 10 years. He led the New Orleans Saints to their first championship with a 31-17 victory over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Why I'm Embarrassed to Be an American

No, it's not because of Ryan LochteThat's too easy a target. I am embarrassed to be an American because of the absurd outfits the athletes will be wearing during closing ceremonies on Sunday. Even Carlton Banks would reject them from his closet.

The Biggest Advocate For Female Athletes

Why Peppermint Patty (yes, Peppermint Patty) is a champion of women's rights.

Kyra Santoro: Lovely Lady of the Day

The great Kyra Santoro invited us along to a photo shoot with Billabong and I suddenly am a big fan of Billabong. Go figure. She is this afternoon's LLOD (click for full-size gallery). 

Kyra Santoro: 2016 SI Swimsuit Casting

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Kyra Santoro :: Justin Marquis for Sports Illustrated

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Justin Marquis for Sports Illustrated

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Kyra Santoro :: Justin Marquis for Sports Illustrated

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Justin Marquis for Sports Illustrated

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Justin Marquis for Sports Illustrated

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Getty Images

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

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Kyra Santoro :: Courtesy of One Management

Hot Clicks Giveaway

You know what isn't fun? Going to an eyeglass store, picking out a pair, then going back a week later to pick them up. You know what's much easier? Ordering on GlassesUSA.com and not having to go to the eyeglass store. So keep that in mind next time you need glasses. As luck would have it, I have three coupons to give away for a free pair of glasses from GlassesUSA.com. I'll send a coupon to the 100th, 200th and 300th person to email me (andy_gray@simail.com) the No. 1 golf course for 2016. The answer was in A.M. Hot Clicks. Please make the subject line "GlassesUSA.com."

Nate, Nick Diaz Like You've Never Seen Them Before

With UFC 202 upon us, here's a good piece on the notorious Diaz brothers and 10 reasons to watch UFC 202.

This Woman's Bravery > My Bravery

I am petrified of heights. This Russian beauty is not. 

Seinfeld Meets Hockey

I Expected More, Too

Odds & Ends

QUIZ: How well do you remember SummerSlam's most thrilling moments? ... Hunter Pence has the best facial expressions ... This dog has a lot of hustle. Wonder if he likes art ... Infomercial situations that have never happened to anyone ... The cheapest places to travel each month of the year ... The Brady Bunch house has been ransacked by burglars ... Gallery: The best photos from Friday at the Rio Olympic Games.

They Are Not Reading a Book!!

Usain Bolt Flip Book

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Sports Style Swipe With Dale Moss

​Who Sang It Best: Return of the Grievous Angel

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Email andy_gray@simail.com with any feedback or ping me on Twitter. Click here for previous editions of Hot Clicks. Visit our Extra Mustard Page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories and the latest Cheerleader of the Week gallery. Also check out the SwimDaily Page for the latest updates and Instagram pictures of models who have appeared in our issues.


Published
Andy Gray
ANDY GRAY

A senior editor atSI.com, Andy Gray oversees Hot Clicks, Extra Mustard and the Swimsuit site. A Boston sports loyalist and Columbia graduate, he joined SI in 2005.