Former Panthers in The
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FORMER PANTHERS IN THE NFL EASTERN EARNS TITLE OF 'CRADLE OF COACHES' Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Quarterback From 2006-2008, Eastern Illinois University held the distinction of being the new ‘Cradle of Coaches’ in the National Football Romo was a free agent signee League with three alumni serving as head coaches in the NFL and with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. four more former players serving as assistant coaches. He started his first game with In 2006 and 2007, EIU was matched with USC and San Diego the Cowboys in 2006 earning State as the only three universities with three current NFL head All-Pro honors in 2006 and 2007 coaches as alumni. In 2008 that number was trimmed down to after guiding the team to back-to- just USC and EIU having three head coaches. In 2010 EIU once back NFC playoff appearances again was the "NFL Cradle of Coaches" as Mike Shanahan took including an NFC East title in over as head coach of the Washington Redskins. 2007. He was also an All-Pro following the 2009 season. Former All-American quarterback Sean Payton, Class of 1987, became the newest member of the distinguished club when he was named head coach of the New Orleans Saints early in 2006. Sean Payton He was an All-American quarterback with Eastern from 1983-86, New Orleans Saints and threw for a school record 10,655 yards. He still holds 11 Head Coach single game, season and career passing records. In 2006 he was named the NFL Coach of the Year guiding the Saints to the NFC Payton, a former EIU All-American, Championship game. In 2009 he led New Orleans to the Super was hired by New Orleans in 2006. Bowl Championship defeating the Indianapolis Colts. He made an immediate impact Brad Childress, a 1988 graduate, was named head coach in 'post Katrina' New Orleans of the Minnesota Vikings, following the 2005 season. In 2008 guiding the Saints to the NFC Childress led the Vikings to the NFC North Division championship Championships game in 2006. He and in 2009 he led the Vikings tot he NFC Championship game was named the NFL Coach of the where they lost to fellow EIU alumnus Sean Payton and the New Year for his efforts that season. In Orleans Saints. Childress was released from his contract with the 2009 he led the Saints to a Super Vikings midway throught the 2010 season. Bowl Championship. Mike Shanahan, Class of 1974, is the most recognized alumni who has served as a head coach. He led the Denver Broncos to a pair of Super Bowl championships in 1998 and 1999. He was a quarterback with the Panthers in the early 1970s, and then returned Brad Childress as offensive coordinator for the EIU team that won the 1978 NCAA Minnesota Vikings Division II National Championship. Former Head Coach Mike Heimerdinger, Class of 1974, is the offensive coordinator Childress earned his first head with the Tennessee Titans helping guide the team to a 13-3 record coaching job with Minnesota in and AFC South Division title in 2008. A former three year letter 2006 after several seasons as winner for the Panther baseball team, he still holds the school a top assistant in Philadelphia. career stolen base record. In 2008 & 2009 Childress led Greg McMahon, Class of 1983, is an assistant special teams the Vikings to the NFC North coach, with the New Orleans Saints. title. In 2007 Childress coached John Teerlinck, Class of 1980, is the defensive line coach NFL Rookie of the Year Adrian for the Indianapolis Colts. Teerlinck earned a masters at EIU Peterson. as an assistant coach for the 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship team. Eastern Illinois has been an NCAA Division I football program since 1981 but it's relationship with the National Football League Mike Shanahan dates back to the early 1920's. Lenny High a former EIU Panther Head Coach football player was a member of the 1920 Decatur Staleys and Washington Redskins teammate of George Halas. The Staleys preceded the modern day Mike Shanahan returned to Chicago Bears with High appearing the sidelines in 2010 as the in one game. head coach of the Washington Redskins. Previously he was a The Panthers have been well two-time Super Bowl Champion represented in the NFL with pro-bowl coach with the Denver Broncos selections Jeff Gossett (Oakland winning the Lombardi Trophy Raiders) and Tony Romo (Dallas with Denver in 1998 and 1999. Cowboys) to Super Bowl Champions Shanahan was an assistant coach in Ted Petersen (Pittsburgh). on the Panthers 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship team. WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2011 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL FORMER PANTHERS IN THE NFL Mike Heimerdinger Bill Glenn Former Assistant Coach Tennessee Titans Chicago Bears Mike Heimerdinger previously served as Bill Glenn played quarterback for the Bears in the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee 1944 appearing in four games for the team. Titans. He helped the team win the AFC He was a two-year member of the team after South Division title in 2008. Heimerdinger earning Little All-American honors at Eastern played baseball at Eastern Illinois before Illinois. joining the football coaching profession. Greg McMahon Ray Fisher Assistant Coach New Orleans Saints Dallas Cowboys Greg McMahon was promoted to special Ray Fisher played tackle for two seasons for teams coordinator for the Saints in 2009. the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1960 he would He enters his third season with the team. become an original member of the Dallas McMahon was a defensive back on Eastern Texans playing defensive tackle. Illinois 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship team. John Teerlinck Ted Petersen Assistant Coach Indianapolis Colts Pittsburgh Steelers John Teerlinck has been a defensive line Ted Petersen enjoyed a ten year NFL coach with Indianapolis for eight years. career playing center and offensive line for Teerlinck earned a masters degree at EIU Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Indianapolis. He while serving as an assistant for the 1978 won Super Bowl rings in 1979 and 1980 as NCAA Division II National Championship a member of the Steelers. He ended his team. career in 1987. Randy Melvin Jeff Gossett Former Assistant Coach Cleveland Browns Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Randy Melvin recently served as the Jeff Gossett had a 15-year NFL career as a defensive line coach for the Cleveland punter for Kansas City, Cleveland, Houston Browns on Romeo Crennel's staff. Melvin and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He was an All-American defensive lineman at was a Pro Bowl selection in 1991 averaging EIU and returned to the college ranks as a 44.2 yards per punt. Gossett ended his coach for the 2009 season. career in 1996. Ken Baker Jeff Christensen NFL Replay Official Cleveland Browns Ken Baker currently works as an NFL replay Jeff Christensen was active on three NFL official after several years as an NFL referee. rosters as a quarterback for the Cincinnati He worked the 2008 Super Bowl and served Bengles, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia one year as EIU's interim athletic director. Eagles. He saw action for both the Browns He is a former Panther baseball player. and Bengals ending his career with Cleveland in 1987. Lenny High Kevin Gray Decatur Staleys New Orleans Saints Lenny High was the first EIU player to play Kevin Gray played one season for the New in the NFL. He was a member of the 1920 Orleans Saints as a corner back and special Decatur Staleys appearing in one game at teams player. He appeared in eight games in end. He was a teammate of George Halas. the 1982 season. The Staleys would later become the modern day Chicago Bears. 2011 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL... ...13-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT FORMER PANTHERS IN THE NFL Steve Parker John Jurkovic Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts Green Bay Packers Steve Parker played defensive end for the John Jurkovic played nine seasons in the Colts for two seasons. He appeared in 16 NFL as a defensive tackle for the Green Bay games in the teams final season in Baltimore Packers (1991-95), Jacksonville Jaguars in 1983 and nine games in their first season (96-98) and Cleveland Browns (99). In 1993 in Indianapolis in 1984. he registered 5.5 sacks for the Packers. Robert Williams Brad Fichtel Pittsburgh Steelers Los Angeles Rams Robert Williams played briefly with the Brad Fichtel was a two year member of the Pittsburgh Steelers appearing in two games Los Angeles Rams appearing in three games during the 1984 season. He played safety at center in 1994. and special teams. Evan Araposthathis Ray McElroy St. Louis Cardinals Indianapolis Colts Evan Araposthathis appeared in five games Ray McElroy had a six year NFL career as as a punter for the St. Louis Cardinals football a defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts, franchise in 1986. He averaged 38 yards per Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. He played punt. from 1995-98 with the Colts before retiring in 2001 as a Detroit Lion. Mel Black Bob Rosenstiel New England Patriots Oakland Raiders Mel Black was a two-year member of the Bob Rosenstiel played in four games for the New England Patriots playing in six games at Oakland Raiders in 1997 as part of a two linebacker and special teams in the 1986 and year career at tight end and special teams. 1987 seasons. Chris Geile Chris Watson Detroit Lions Buffalo Bills Chris Geile (#71) appeared in three games Chris Watson played four seasons at corner during the strike season of 1987 playing back first for the Denver Broncos and last for offensive line for the Detroit Lions.