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| Herm Edwards (coach) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Herm Edwards |
| Caption | Edwards in 2011 |
| Birth date | 27 April 1954 |
| Birth place | Fort Monmouth, New Jersey |
| Occupation | American football coach, former National Football League player, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Alma mater | San Diego State University |
Herm Edwards (coach) is an American football coach, former National Football League player, and broadcaster known for his roles as head coach of the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs and as a long-time analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports. A two-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards later transitioned to broadcasting with stints on Fox Sports Net and ESPN Monday Night Football, before returning to coaching. His career intersects with major figures and institutions in modern National Football League history and collegiate San Diego State athletics.
Edwards was born at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and raised in Toms River, New Jersey, attending Toms River North High School where he played high school football alongside future collegiate athletes and local sports figures. He accepted a scholarship to San Diego State University, playing under head coach Don Coryell and later Claude Gilbert for the Aztecs, where he developed under defensive coordinators and attracted attention from NFL scouts. Selected in the fourth round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards became a starting cornerback and earned Pro Bowl selections after joining the staff of head coach Dick Vermeil and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. Edwards later played under Marion Campbell and participated in playoff games against teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. After his tenure with the Eagles, he concluded his playing career with the Atlanta Falcons and briefly with the Los Angeles Rams before retiring and moving into coaching and broadcasting.
Edwards began coaching as part of the collegiate ranks and NFL assistant staffs, including roles with the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive assistant and later as special teams coach. He joined the Oakland Raiders organization as head coach in 2001, succeeding Jon Gruden in a tumultuous period that included high-profile interactions with owners like Al Davis and matchups against AFC West rivals such as the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers. Edwards then became head coach of the New York Jets in 2001, guiding the franchise under general managers and executives like Ernie Accorsi and facing AFC opponents including the New England Patriots during the early 2000s dynasty of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. His tenure with the Jets featured playoff appearances and coaching staff members who later became head coaches in their own right, including coordinators who worked with franchises like the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears.
After leaving the Jets, Edwards transitioned to broadcasting with ESPN, becoming an analyst on programs such as NFL Live and Monday Night Countdown, where he worked alongside personalities like Mike Tirico, Chris Berman, and Jon Gruden. In 2018, Edwards returned to coaching as head coach of the Arizona State University football program at Arizona State University, joining the coaching carousel involving the Pac-12 Conference and facing opponents like University of Southern California and University of Oregon. His Arizona State staff included coordinators with experience in the Big Ten Conference and Big 12 Conference, and he recruited players who later entered the NFL Draft.
Edwards emphasizes discipline, situational awareness, and a defensive-minded approach inherited from mentors such as Buddy Ryan and Dick Vermeil. His teams often focused on fundamentals emphasized by special teams innovators like Marvin Lewis and secondary techniques associated with defensive backs coached by Tony Dungy. Edwards is known for motivational communication reminiscent of public approaches used by figures such as Vince Lombardi and for media-savvy interactions similar to contemporaries like Bill Parcells and Sean Payton. Offense-defensive balance under Edwards leaned on ball-control principles and opportunistic turnovers, aligning with strategies deployed historically by coaches in the AFC and by franchises such as the Pittsburgh Steelers under Bill Cowher.
As an NFL player, Edwards was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and part of Eagles defenses that made multiple postseason appearances in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As head coach, he led the New York Jets to several playoff berths and compiled regular-season records that placed him among franchise leaders in wins for his era, facing AFC powerhouses such as the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens. Edwards earned recognition in sports media with awards and nominations during his broadcasting career at ESPN and was credited with revitalizing recruiting pipelines at Arizona State University by securing prospects from regions including California and Texas. His career encompasses staff collaborations with future Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates and interactions with league officials from the NFL competition committee.
Edwards is known for advocacy work and community involvement in areas connected to New Jersey and Arizona, participating in charitable initiatives similar to those supported by other NFL alumni and coaches, including programs addressing youth sports and veteran services. He has been active in media, offering analysis on major events such as the Super Bowl and participating in commentary for college bowl games like the Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl Game. Edwards' family includes relatives who have appeared at university events and alumni gatherings at San Diego State University, and he maintains ties to coaches and executives across the NFL and NCAA communities.
Category:American football coaches Category:African-American coaches of American football Category:San Diego State Aztecs football players