John Madden career: college where he went, NFL Stats, Super Bowl rings

John Madden gave so much to football as a coach and broadcaster, and his love affair with the sport started early on in his life.

Born in Minnesota and raised in California, he shone even as a teenager, and was a football star in Jefferson High School in Daly City, California. After graduating, he went to the College of San Mateo where he played offensive and defensive line.

Madden and college ball

His talents didn’t go unnoticed, and he moved to the University of Oregon to study pre-law on a football scholarship. This is where he first had trouble with his knees, suffering an injury that needed an operation, after which he attended Grays Harbor College in Washington.

Madden finally moved on to play for the Mustangs at California Polytechnic State University while studying for a Bachelor of Science in education. He took further studies in the field, and completed a Master of Arts in education two years later. He distinguished himself on the football field during his stint at Cal Poly as a standout offensive tackle.

Madden almost turns pro

Like all football players, he dreamed of joining the NFL, and he got his opportunity when he was drafted in the 21st round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958. However, he badly hurt his knee in his first training camp, and he forever lost his chance to play professional football.

This injury may have paved the way for his future stellar career as a coach- while he was undergoing rehab, he studied films with then-Eagles quarterback Norm Van Brocklin who explained the intricacies of the sport to him.

Madden the coach is born

From there he blended his love for football with his background in teaching and channeled it into coaching. In 1960, he started off as an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College, where he soon became head coach. After that he moved San Diego State University to work as defensive coordinator.

His performance at San Diego caught the eye of the Oakland Raiders, and he was hired as a linebackers coach in 1967. The team reached the Super Bowl that season, and just a year later, Madden became the Raiders’ head coach at the age of 32.

What was Madden’s coaching record?

He had a 12-1-1 slate in 1969, and it would the first of seven times the Raiders would reach the AFC Championship (still the AFL in 1969). Madden finally reached the pinnacle in 1976, when the Raiders became the Super Bowl XI champions after defeating the Minnesota Vikings.

Madden announced his retirement in 1979 without having a losing season. The Pro Football Hall of Famer left behind an impressive legacy as coach, his overall winning percentage ranking the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games, with a regular season record standing at a spectacular 103-32-7.

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