50 Current NFL or College Football Players Who Would Make Great College Coaches

Every season, it seems like there is a young coach getting his break through opportunity. The best part about these stories is sometimes we don't even see it coming.

While coaches have all sorts of backgrounds, having experience in either college football or the pros is a great way to gain some experience and be prepared for what running a program requires.

Here is a list of 50 current NFL or college players who could someday become great collegiate coaches. 

Peyton Manning

For the past decade, Peyton Manning may as well have been the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

Manning has an incredible football IQ that has made him one of the best quarterbacks and leaders of all time, something that would certainly lend itself to being a great coach.

Eli Manning

The apple does not fall too far from the tree, as the other Manning brother would do an outstanding job as well.

With two Super Bowl rings to his credit, Eli has every bit the football IQ of his brother and it would be extremely interesting to see the two go head-to-head against each other as head coaches. 

Tyrann Mathieu

Speaking of a player that never stops going, Tyrann Mathieu is another player who could teach a team quite a lot.

This past year, Mathieu became known for his big plays and never-say-die attitude. If he could find a way to help that attitude translate to coaching, then he could be in for a great second career. 

Ray Lewis

When you think of players who have an extreme passion for the game, the first person that comes to mind is Ray Lewis. Lewis plays with fire and intensity and seems to have a genuine love for football. 

With his fiery attitude and deep understanding of the defensive side of the ball, Lewis would be an outstanding addition to a program as their head coach.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is another example of a great quarterback that could spread some of his knowledge on college players. 

While Brady did not have a ton of success in college, his journey would help him relate with the majority of his players and allow him to be an even better coach. 

Ndamukong Suh

The interesting part about Ndamukong Suh and the potential for him to be a college coach is that if he got his mind straight, he has the experience and skill to show his team how to become an elite athlete in football.

Suh can also help steer his players away from the pitfalls that he has suffered and keep them on the right path. 

Andrew Luck

Before even stepping out onto a professional field, Andrew Luck has gained enough experience during his time at Stanford to be a good head coach.

With the ability to have spent time under Jim Harbaugh, Luck undoubtedly picked up a thing or two and would  be a great addition to a college program. 

Bart Scott

Much like Ray Lewis, Bart Scott would certainly have the energy and fire to be a college football coach.

With the intensity and passion that Scott plays with on the field, the hope would be that it would rub off on his players at the collegiate level. 

LaDainian Tomlinson

It has become clear that the best days are behind LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson had an outstanding career and was one of the best backs of his generation.

Now that his time is drawing to an end, Tomlinson would be a great hire at any program. 

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Kyle Vanden Bosch is another player nearing the end of his career, and would be able to pass along some of the great things he has learned from coaches like Jeff Fisher and Jim Schwartz. 

Vanden Bosch has always had an outstanding work ethic and I am sure that would not change if he moved over to becoming a head coach. 

Matt Barkley

It is clear, after Matt Barkley decided to stay for his fourth year in college, that he loves the college life and atmosphere.

While he should go on to have a solid NFL career, it would not be surprising to see him land back in the college game, a place he clearly loves. 

Aaron Rodgers

Another outstanding NFL quarterback with a chance to make an impact as a head coach is Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers does a great job of understanding what a defense is doing and if he was able to convey that message as a head coach, then Rodgers would do just fine as the head man. 

Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson is another player who seen it all.

From college through the pros, Woodson has experienced big games at both levels and has been around some of the game's best players. 

With all of the experience that Woodson would bring with him, coaching at the collegiate level would be a good fit. 

Jim Sorgi

Jim Sorgi spent his time by being Peyton Manning's backup at Indianapolis. Since Manning had a healthy career, Sorgi rarely played but had plenty of time to study him and pick his brain at any time.  

With the amount of knowledge that Sorgi should have been able to gain over his career, he may be a good option for a college program. 

Tim Tebow

I am not sure that there is another player who is more thankful to be part of the game of football than Tim Tebow.

Tebow seems to have a genuine love for the game that radiates from him and he is truly someone that could inspire his players week in and week out. 

Jared Allen

Jared Allen is another interesting character that would do well as a college coach.

Allen has an unstoppable motor that helps him keep going play after play and would bring the same passion to his program.

If his work ethic rubbed off, then his team would be in business. 

Aaron Murray

Aaron Murray has done a great job at Georgia and is getting to see up close and personal how you deal with adversity.

For the past couple of seasons, Mark Richt has been under fire at Georgia but has persevered. Murray would be able to take the lessons that he has learned from Richt and apply them at his own program. 

James Harrison

James Harrison has a lot of good things that he could show to a team.

He never takes a play off, keeps himself in shape and is an amazing talent in the NFL. If Harrison, much like Suh, can tone down his negatives, it would make his positives stand out even more so than they do now. 

Ed Reed

The ballhawking safety for the Baltimore Ravens would be another great fit in the college game.

Reed spent his college years at Miami (Fla.). With his work ethic and experience, Reed may be a great fit back in Miami to help them get through what will end up being some very difficult times. 

Calvin Johnson

If being the best wide receiver in the NFL doesn't work out for Calvin Johnson, he certainly would be accepted back into the college community quickly. Johnson carries himself very well on the field and has a good understanding of the game of football. 

One thing is for sure—if Johnson coached a team, the defensive backs would be the most prepared in the country. 

Alex Smith

It seems like at every turn, someone is looking to replace Alex Smith at quarterback.

Given the lack of love that the NFL community is showing Smith, a return to the collegiate ranks may be a good change of pace for the signalcaller. 

Smith is an extremely smart player who would be able to offer a lot to a college program. With his experience in the NFL, Smith would be able to relate to all parts of his team.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Ryan Fitzpatrick has found a way to make things work on the field.

After going to Harvard, I am confident that Fitzpatrick could make it work on the sidelines.

Fitzpatrick is an extremely smart man and if given some time, could really help elevate a college program. 

Chad Ochocinco

While Chad Ochocinco has a serious work ethic and commitment to the game of football, he also has a lighter side that has allowed him to enjoy the spot that he is in.

Based on the caring nature that Ochocinco has shown over the past few years, he would be someone that kids around the nation would love to play for. 

Montee Ball

With the announcement by Montee Ball that he would return for his senior season, Ball showed the commitment and loyalty that any head coach would like to see from a recruit.

With time and ability to gain more football experience, Ball is someone that any player would like to line up for. 

Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly was a serious leader at Boston College and never let his surroundings get him down.

For the past two years, Kuechly has a tackling machine and if given the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, he would certainly be able to help the defensive side of the ball. 

Jeff Saturday

Jeff Saturday has experienced a long career in the NFL and has done a lot of good, both on and off the field.

Saturday should be able to translate nicely to the college game if that is what he wanted to do. 

Saturday is intelligent and hard-working, definitely a combination that could help him be successful.

Myron Rolle

Anyone who was as talented as Myron Rolle was and won the Rhodes Scholarship definitely has the smarts to be a head coach in the college ranks.

Along with his incredible mind, Rolle was an outstanding player at Florida State and is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tony Romo

Tony Romo is an extremely talented quarterback who has been playing on one of the biggest stages in America with the Dallas Cowboys.

While Romo hasn't always handed the pressure well, he has experienced the big games and with his knowledge of football, he could be a good fit in the college game. 

Charlie Batch

Charlie Batch has been a career backup since leaving the Detroit Lions with plenty of time to study the game.

Batch has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has seen how a great organization runs. With the knowledge he has received first-hand, Batch could use that to create a winning environment in college football. 

Brett Favre

Is Brett Favre ever really retired?

While he currently isn't on a NFL roster, the quarterback always seems open to coming back. 

During his long and storied career, Favre was a gunslinger who was hard to beat.

Since he can't seem to give up football, maybe Favre should take his efforts and put them into coaching at the collegiate level. 

Brady Quinn

Let's be honest—this whole being a quarterback in the NFL is just not working out for Quinn.

From the draft-day disaster to being a career backup, Quinn is going nowhere fast. 

While Quinn's NFL career may be fluttering, he has the football IQ and experience that would help him be a successful head coach, maybe even at Notre Dame.

Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins has graduated from Michigan State and is hoping to catch on with a NFL team. 

During his career, Cousins showed incredible leadership and had a great understanding for the game.

He also seemed to truly enjoy the college experience and it would be a great fit to see him back on the college sidelines as a head coach.

Michael Vick

The value of having Michael Vick as a coach is he can relate and help kids who are athletic and help them fit the right position for them, and Vick also appears like he could be of assistance off the field. 

After going through the dogfighting incident, Vick has come back as a model citizen and would be a huge draw at a college program.

Tyler Wilson

Another college quarterback that has decided to stay for his final year is Tyler Wilson. 

Playing at Arkansas and in the SEC, Wilson is surrounded by outstanding players that can push him to be better.

With the love and commitment he has for his team, recruits would respect that and want to play for him should the time come for him to be done playing football.

Dennis Dixon

After injuring his knee in 2007, Dennis Dixon got a feel for the sideline as he helped coach a couple of the quarterbacks that were stepping in for him. 

Since leaving Oregon, Dixon has been in Pittsburgh and has gotten some invaluable experience that would help make him an outstanding head coach. 

Hines Ward

Granted Hines Ward did retire this week, there is no better time for him to come back to college than now.

Ward clearly has a love for the game and with the way he played, college kids would learn a lot and make him a successful, loved college coach.

Brandon Jacobs

Brandon Jacobs is an extremely tough and strong-willed player that continues to contribute in the NFL. 

This hard-nosed running back in the NFL may be able to bring a style of toughness to the college ranks that is rarely seen. 

Landry Jones

Oklahoma Sooners fans were extremely thankful to see that Landry Jones has decided to return for his final season in college. Jones is an outstanding quarterback that makes the correct reads and has a deep understanding of football. 

With his knowledge and abilities, Jones should have a nice NFL career, but a college head coaching job is not too far out of the realm of possibility. 

Jesse Holley

Jesse Holley has a great story, one that could inspire college players to keep fighting.

Holley was part of a reality show that eventually landed him on the Dallas Cowboys' roster. His ability to look at all of his players and tell them not to quit is something that will have meaning instead of being just words. 

Jay Cutler

For all of the crap that Jay Cutler takes for being soft and not being able to get the job done, if you do not include his season-ending injury from last year, Cutler had only missed a handful of games and that is even while taking a beating in the Bears offense.

On top of being tough, Cutler is extremely bright and coming from Vanderbilt, he would be a great fit for a smaller program. 

Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford had an outstanding first year in the NFL, but his second season was a step back as the Rams suffered some inconsistencies and Bradford suffered an injury.

Bradford is an outstanding quarterback who appears to have the patience and leadership skills needed in St. Louis and if he can be successful there, he can certainly come back to the college game when he is done. 

Collin Klein

Collin Klein is fortunate enough right now to be learning from the great Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

Klein is both a run and pass threat and while his skills in college may fit the Wildcats well, they may not translate great to the NFL. 

If Klein has a short stint in the pros, he certainly will have gotten an education under Snyder that will allow him to come back to college. 

Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the best corners in the NFL.

Last year, he made the move to Philadelphia and should be fully adjusted by this year. 

On top of being an outstanding player, Asomugha is a caring person off the field and does a lot of charity work. 

With his skills, work ethic and ability to be a role model, he is every parent's dream when sending a child to a college he may coach at. 

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez is on this list because we may be able to truly relate to kids and offer them some great insight after coming to the NFL after his junior season.

While some, including his own head coach, questioned his choice, Sanchez continues to try and make it work with the Jets. 

After playing at USC and New York, Sanchez should have no issues dealing with the pressures of being a head coach. 

Matt Flynn

The star pupil of Aaron Rodgers is Matt Flynn.

Now with the Dolphins, Flynn is finally getting his shot after leaving LSU and is hoping to make the most of it.

Over the next year or two, we will see how good of a student Flynn was while under Rodgers and if he has the skills to now become the teacher.

If the answer is "yes," then a coaching career in the future may not be out of the question. 

Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan has seen his ups and downs throughout his career, but one thing that most people do not question is his knowledge of his position and the game of football. 

During the game, Ryan seems to have a firm grasp of the offense and the overall game and with his game management skills, a coaching career could be the next logical step for him. 

A.J. McCarron

Much like Collin Klein, A.J. McCarron is getting the opportunity to receive a free education, be the starting quarterback and learn from one of the greatest coaches of our generation. 

McCarron should listen closely because if things do not work out in the NFL, he has all the help he needs by listening to Nick Saban and observing how to be an elite college coach. 

Kellen Moore

With his time at Boise State over, Kellen Moore hopes to move on and have a career in the NFL.

Moore surprised a lot of people and even after losing two of his top receiving targets last year, he still found a way to utilize the offense and get the best performance possible out of his team.

The ability to get players around him to elevate their play is a skill that would come in handy, should the opportunity to coach present itself. 

Trent Richardson

He's fresh out of college and we are already talking about Trent Richardson's retirement plan.

Like McCarron, Richardson had the privilege of playing under Nick Saban and learning from the best.

Also, Richardson had to work his way through the depth chart which should provide him with some more credibility with players and recruits. 

Case Keenum

Despite injuries, Case Keenum had an outstanding college career and now people are about to find out if his numbers are a product of the talent he played against or if he is for real.

Regardless of the outcome, Keenum seems to have a firm grasp on his position and the game and could be a great coach at a smaller college.