Former National Champion Michigan Wolverine trending for NFL head coaching jobs

Jerred Johnson | Jan 7, 2025

Unknown date 1997; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Brian Griese (14) in action during the 1997 season at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Imagn Images / RVR Photos-Imagn Images

According to the king of breaking sports news, Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese is being looked at for head coaching vacancies. The former Michigan Wolverine, who helped lead the great 1997 team to a national championship, has reportedly piqued the interest of the New York Jets quite heavily. Schefter reported that the Jets have requested an interview of Griese through his current team.

The Jets struggled mightily this year on offense as first ballot hall of famer quarterback Aaron Rodgers could not maintain consistent play at the position. After falling to 2-3 just five games into the 2024 season, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh. The team went on to win two more games during the 2024 campaign.

Jets requested a head coach interview with 49ers QB coach Brian Griese, per sources. pic.twitter.com/O2bPygKJKd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025

Griese is a Michigan legend, having quarterbacked the team, under head coach Lloyd Carr, to a national championship in 1997. That championship is one that always triggers debates as the Wolverines won the Associated Press national championship and Nebraska was awarded the championship via the coach's poll. There was no method of resolving the issue, so the schools were labeled co-champions. After leaving Ann Arbor, Griese was a third round pick of the Denver Broncos. he played in the NFL for 10-years with the Broncos, Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Bears.

September 28, 2008; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese (8) throws the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images / Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Upon his retirement, Griese stepped into the broadcast booth from 2009-2020 working as an analyst for ESPN college football games. From 2020-2022 he worked on Monday Night Football as an on-air analyst. He then turned his attentions to coaching, taking his current position as the 49ers quarterback coach in 2022.

He is widely praised and acknowledged for turning the last pick of the 2022 draft, affectionately labeled "Mr. Irrelevant", Brock Purdy and turning him into an all-pro caliber starter. In a quarterback driven league, someone with Griese's pedigree and proven track record for quarterback development will surely be atop the list of many NFL teams looking to fill coaching vacancies.

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