View source for Dick Vermeil

{{Short description|American football coach (born 1936)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name               = Dick Vermeil
| image              = dickvermeil.jpg
| caption            = Vermeil in 2010
| position           =
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1936|10|30}}
| birth_place        = [[Calistoga, California]], U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| college            = [[San Jose State]]
| high_school        = Calistoga
| pastcoaching       = * [[Del Mar High School|Del Mar HS]] (1959)<br>Assistant coach
* [[Hillsdale High School (San Mateo, California)|Hillsdale HS]] (1960–1962)<br>Head coach
* [[San Mateo Bulldogs football|San Mateo]] (1963)<br>Backfield coach
* [[Napa Chiefs football|Napa]] (1964)<br>Head coach
* [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]] (1965–1968)<br>Assistant coach
* [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1969}})<br>Special teams coach
* UCLA (1970)<br>Offensive coordinator
* Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1971|1972}})<br>Quarterbacks coach
* Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1973}})<br>Quarterbacks & special teams coach
* UCLA (1974–1975)<br>Head coach
* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1976|1982}})<br>Head coach
* [[Los Angeles Rams|St. Louis Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1997|1999}})<br>Head coach, General manager & President of Football Operations 
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|2001|2005}})<br>Head coach
| highlights         = * [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXIV|XXXIV]])
* [[AP NFL Coach of the Year Award|AP NFL Coach of the Year]] (1999)
* 2× [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award#Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of the Year|''Pro Football Weekly'' NFL Coach of the Year]] (1979, 1999)
* 2× [[NFL Coach of the Year Award#The Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year|''The Sporting News'' NFL Coach of the Year]] (1979, 1999)
* 2× [[NFL Coach of the Year Award#Greasy Neale Award (Maxwell Football Club)|Greasy Neale Award]] (1999, 2003)
* [[List of NFL Coach of the Year awards#UPI National Football League Coach of the Year|UPI NFC Coach of the Year]] (1978)
* [[Philadelphia Eagles#Eagles Hall of Fame|Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame]]
* [[Los Angeles Rams awards#St. Louis Football Ring of Fame|St. Louis Football Ring of Fame]]
* [[Pacific-12 Conference football awards#Coach of the Year|Pacific-8 Coach of the Year]] (1975)
* [[Pacific-8]] Conference Championship (1975)
* [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]] Championship (1975)
| pfrcoach           = VermDi0
| coachregrecord     = 120–109 ({{winpct|120|109}}) (NFL)<br>{{Winning percentage|22|7|3|record=y}} (college)
| coachplayoffrecord = 6–5 ({{winpct|6|5}})
| coachrecord        = 126–114 ({{winpct|126|114}})
| HOF                = dick-vermeil 
}}
'''Richard Albert Vermeil''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ər|ˈ|m|iː|l}} {{respell|vər|MEEL}}; born October 30, 1936) is an American former [[American football|football]] coach who served as a [[head coach]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 15 seasons. He was the head coach of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] for seven seasons, the [[History of the St. Louis Rams|St. Louis Rams]] for three, and the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] for five. Prior to the NFL, he was the head football coach at [[Hillsdale High School (San Mateo, California)|Hillsdale High School]] from 1960 to 1962, [[Napa Valley College|Napa Junior College]] in 1964, and [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]] from 1974 to 1975. With UCLA, Vermeil led the team to victory in the [[1976 Rose Bowl]]. Vermeil's NFL tenure would see him improve the fortunes of teams that had a losing record before he arrived and bring them all to the playoffs by his third season, which included a [[Super Bowl]] title with the Rams.

Becoming Philadelphia's head coach in 1976, Vermeil took over for a team that had not qualified for the postseason, won a playoff game, or clinched their division since 1960. He ended each of these droughts between 1978 and 1980 en route to the Eagles' first Super Bowl appearance in [[Super Bowl XV]]. Retiring after the 1982 season, Vermeil spent 15 years away from the NFL until he returned in 1997 with the Rams, who had not achieved a winning season or playoff berth since 1989. Vermeil again ended these droughts during the 1999 season, also obtaining the Rams' first winning season in St. Louis. The season culminated with the Rams winning [[Super Bowl XXXIV]], which was their first Super Bowl victory, their first championship since [[1951 NFL Championship Game|1951]], and their only NFL title in St. Louis. Vermeil retired a second time following the Super Bowl, but returned with the Chiefs in 2001. During the 2003 season, he guided the Chiefs to their first division title and postseason berth since 1997, although he did not win any playoff games.

Vermeil holds the distinction of being named Coach of the Year on the high school, junior college, collegiate, and professional levels. He was the [[Pacific-12 Conference football awards#Coach of the Year|Pacific-8 Coach of the Year]] during UCLA's 1975 championship season, also becoming the first to receive the honor, and the [[AP NFL Coach of the Year|NFL Coach of the Year]] during the Rams' 1999 championship season. Vermeil was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2022.

==Early life and college==
Vermeil was born in [[Calistoga, California]], one of four children. He worked at his father's auto repair shop as a teenager and played at quarterback on the Calistoga High School football team.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/> After graduating from Calistoga High in 1954, Vermeil enrolled at Napa Junior College (now [[Napa Valley College]]). He transferred to [[San Jose State University|San Jose State College (now University)]] after two years at Napa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-15 |title=San Jose State University's Dick Vermeil inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} KRON4 |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-jose-state-universitys-dick-vermeil-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215080631/https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-jose-state-universitys-dick-vermeil-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=February 15, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-06 |title=Spartan Great Dick Vermeil Named To Pro Football Hall Of Fame - SJSU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - San Jose State Spartans |url=https://sjsuspartans.com/news/2022/2/10/spartan-great-dick-vermeil-named-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame |access-date=2024-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006171858/https://sjsuspartans.com/news/2022/2/10/spartan-great-dick-vermeil-named-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame |archive-date=October 6, 2024 }}</ref> After one year as a backup quarterback on the [[1956 San Jose State Spartans football team]], Vermeil became starting quarterback on the [[1957 San Jose State Spartans football team|1957 team]], throwing for 580 yards, one touchdown, and nine interceptions on a team that finished 3–7.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/>

Vermeil completed a bachelor's degree in 1958 and master's degree in 1959 at San Jose State, both in physical education.<ref name="Chiefs">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231035455/http://www.kcchiefs.com/coach/dick_vermeil/|archivedate=December 31, 2005|title=Dick Vermeil|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/coach/dick_vermeil/|publisher=Kansas City Chiefs|accessdate=March 26, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Early coaching career (1959–1973)===
Vermeil began his football coaching career as assistant coach for [[Del Mar High School]] in San Jose in 1959. Then from 1960 to 1962, he was head coach at [[Hillsdale High School (San Mateo, California)|Hillsdale High School]] in [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]]. Moving up to the junior college level, he was defensive backfield coach at the [[College of San Mateo]] in 1963.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/>

In his first head coaching position, Vermeil returned to [[Napa Valley College|Napa Junior College]] in 1964, leading the Chiefs to a 7–2 record, best in the school history. While at Napa JC his younger brother Al played for him.<ref name="ESPN Classic">{{cite web |last1=Puma |first1=Mike |title=There is crying in football |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Vermeil_Dick |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=February 12, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813164240/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Vermeil_Dick|archivedate=August 13, 2006|date=May 18, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1965 to 1968, Vermeil was an assistant coach at [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]] under [[John Ralston (American football)|John Ralston]].<ref name="Stanford">{{cite web|url=https://gostanford.com/news/2019/9/16/football-ralston-remembered.aspx|title=Remembering Ralston|publisher=Stanford University|date=September 16, 2019|accessdate=February 10, 2022}}</ref>

Vermeil shares the distinction of being hired as one of the NFL's first [[special teams]] coaches with Hall of Fame Coach [[Marv Levy]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buckheit |first1=Mary |title=Vermeil talks 'Invincible,' tears |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=buckheit/060825 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN|date=August 25, 2006 |access-date= August 10, 2019}}</ref> Vermeil was hired by [[George Allen (coach)|George Allen]]'s [[Los Angeles Rams]] in [[1969 Los Angeles Rams season|1969]] the same year Levy was hired by [[Jerry Williams (American football)|Jerry Williams]], then head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Except for 1970, when Vermeil was an assistant coach with [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]], he remained with the Rams until [[1974 NFL season|1974]] when he was named as head coach by UCLA.

===UCLA (1974–1975)===
As the head coach for the UCLA Bruins, Vermeil compiled a 15–5–3 record in two seasons (1974–75), including a 9–2–1 record in [[1975 UCLA Bruins football season|1975]] when he led the Bruins to their first [[Pacific-10 Conference#Football|conference championship]] in 10 years, and a win in the [[1976 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]] over an undefeated and number 1 ranked [[1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State team]]. He was inducted into the [[Rose Bowl Game#Rose Bowl Hall of Fame|Rose Bowl Hall of Fame]] as a member of the Class of 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tournamentofroses.com/news/knute-rockne-dick-vermeil-and-ki-jana-carter-be-inducted-rose-bowl-hall-fame|title=Knute Rockne, Dick Vermeil and Ki-Jana Carter to be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame|date=August 26, 2014|work=TournamentOfRoses.com|access-date=August 26, 2014|archive-date=January 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103232406/http://www.tournamentofroses.com/news/knute-rockne-dick-vermeil-and-ki-jana-carter-be-inducted-rose-bowl-hall-fame|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1982)===
Vermeil began his [[National Football League|NFL]] head coaching career in [[1976 NFL season|1976]] with the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], taking over after the team went 4–10 the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O70MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2239,224559&dq=dick+vermeil&hl=en|title=Eagles search ends with Vermeil|date=February 9, 1976|work=St Petersburg Times |access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>
Due to past trades by the Eagles, Vermeil's teams did not have a first-round draft pick until [[1979 NFL draft|1979]].<ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/03/28/new-life | title=A New Life | date=March 28, 1983 | magazine=Sports Illustrated | access-date=March 4, 2022}}</ref>

After suffering through two losing seasons under Vermeil, the Eagles made the playoffs for the first time in 18 seasons in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |title=FORMER NFL COACH DICK VERMEIL WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE SU FOOTBALL CLINIC |url=https://cuse.com/news/2006/2/15/2006fbclinic_vermeil.aspx?path=football |website=cuse.com |access-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234958/https://cuse.com/news/2006/2/15/2006fbclinic_vermeil.aspx?path=football |url-status=dead }}</ref> That [[1978 Philadelphia Eagles season|1978 season]] featured breakthrough years by NFL stars [[Ron Jaworski]], [[Wilbert Montgomery]], and one of the greatest games in Eagles history—the seminal [[Miracle at the Meadowlands]]. The Eagles were losing to the [[1978 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] with seconds to play but when the Giants fumbled the ball, Eagles' cornerback [[Herman Edwards]] recovered it and ran it back for a touchdown and a miraculous 19&ndash;17 victory.<ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Ellenport | first1=Craig | title=The Fumble That Changed Football: Miracle at the Meadowlands, 40 Years Later | date=November 14, 2018 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/11/15/miracle-meadowlands-40th-anniversary-giants-eagles-joe-pisarcik-herman-edwards-harry-carson | magazine=Sports Illustrated | access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref>  In the [[1979 Philadelphia Eagles season|1979 season]], Vermeil's Eagles went 11–5 and won their first playoff game since the [[1960 NFL Championship Game]].

In the [[1980 Philadelphia Eagles season|1980 season]], Vermeil led the Eagles to [[Super Bowl XV]] after defeating the [[1980 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] for the NFC championship. The Eagles lost the Super Bowl to [[1980 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland]], 27&ndash;10.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tomasson |first1=Chris |title=Dick Vermeil led Eagles to first Super Bowl, hoping for different outcome on Sunday |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/02/dick-vermeil-led-eagles-to-first-super-bowl-will-cheer-for-them-sunday/ |website=twincities.com |date=February 2, 2018 |publisher=MediaNews Group, Inc. |access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref>  Philadelphia recorded a 10–6 record in [[1981 Philadelphia Eagles season|1981]], but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by a 9–7 [[1981 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] team that was playing with their starting quarterback ([[Phil Simms]]) and middle linebacker ([[Brad Van Pelt]]) out with injuries. After the Eagles ended the [[1982 Philadelphia Eagles season|1982 season]] with a dismal 3–6 record in a 9-game season shortened by a [[National Football League Players Association#1982 strike|players' strike]], Vermeil retired for the first time on January 10, 1983, citing [[occupational burnout]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Vermeil Quits, Saying He Is 'Burned Out' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/11/sports/vermeil-quits-saying-he-is-burned-out.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 11, 1983 |access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref>

Vermeil's time with the Eagles is featured in the 2006 movie ''{{film year|Invincible|2006}}''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buckheit |first1=Mary |title=Vermeil talks 'Invincible,' tears |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=buckheit/060825 |website=espn.com |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |date=August 25, 2006 |access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref> in which the movie depicts open tryouts and how 30-year Philadelphia native [[Vince Papale]] made the team. In actuality, Vermeil had seen tape of Papale playing semi-pro ball in Philadelphia and invited him to a workout and a subsequent tryout.

===Hiatus from coaching (1983–1996)===
For the next 15 years, Vermeil spent time working as a sports announcer for [[CBS Sports|CBS]] and [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eskenazi |first1=Gerald |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Tearful Vermeil Goes Out on Top |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/02/sports/pro-football-tearful-vermeil-goes-out-on-top.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 2, 2000 |access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref> Following the [[1994 NFL season|1994 season]], the Eagles fired [[Rich Kotite]] and owner [[Jeffrey Lurie]] inquired about bringing back Vermeil as coach. However, the Eagles and Vermeil could not come to a contractual agreement. The Eagles eventually hired [[Ray Rhodes]] to be their head coach. Vermeil issued a statement saying, "I'm not going to beg Jeffrey Lurie to coach this football team."

===St. Louis Rams (1997–1999)===
Vermeil returned to coaching with the [[St. Louis Rams]] in [[1997 St. Louis Rams season|1997]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/31/sports/they-answer-to-themselves.html|title=They Answer to Themselves|last=Freeman|first=Mike|date=August 31, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 17, 2018|language=en}}</ref> His first two years with the Rams were abysmal: the Rams won 5 and lost 11 games in 1997, and the following season they went 4&ndash;12. The [[1999 St. Louis Rams season|1999 season]] looked to start just as badly, when new starting quarterback [[Trent Green]] was injured in the [[Exhibition game|pre-season]]. However, Green's injury allowed then-unknown [[Kurt Warner]] to start. Under Warner, the Rams offense exploded, and they finished the 1999 season with a record of 13–3 in one of the biggest single-year turnarounds in NFL history, ushering in the era of what would become known as "[[The Greatest Show on Turf]]". Vermeil led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory in [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] with a 23–16 win over the [[1999 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]]. He was also named [[NFL Coach of the Year Award|NFL Coach of the Year]] for the second time for the 1999 season. He walked away from coaching again after the Rams' Super Bowl victory.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eskenazi |first1=Gerald |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Tearful Vermeil Goes Out on Top |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/02/sports/pro-football-tearful-vermeil-goes-out-on-top.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 2, 2000 |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> Years later, Vermeil regretted leaving the Rams saying that was "one of the worst decisions I ever made."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2023/6/29/23778155/rams-history-dick-vermeil-retire-andy-reid | title=What if Dick Vermeil didn't retire after Rams '99 Super Bowl win as GSOT? | date=June 29, 2023 }}</ref>

===Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2005)===
Vermeil signed with the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] on January 12, 2001, despite his retirement following the Super Bowl win with the Rams. His [[2001 Kansas City Chiefs season|first season with the Chiefs]] was substandard, finishing with a 6&ndash;10 record, their worst record since [[1988 Kansas City Chiefs season|1988]]. Vermeil and the [[2002 Kansas City Chiefs season|Chiefs]] made some major changes for the [[2002 NFL season|2002 season]], where the Chiefs improved to 8&ndash;8. The Chiefs had the NFL's best offense in 2002, led by [[Priest Holmes]], [[Trent Green]], [[Tony Gonzalez]], [[Dante Hall]], and offensive linemen [[Willie Roaf]] and [[Will Shields]]. In [[2003 NFL season|2003]] the [[2003 Kansas City Chiefs season|Chiefs]] started the season 9&ndash;0 and finished with a 13&ndash;3 record, making the [[2003–04 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] and winning the [[AFC West]]. They also had the NFL's top ranked offense for the second straight year. The [[2004 Kansas City Chiefs season|Chiefs]] went 7&ndash;9 in [[2004 NFL season|2004]], even though they had the NFL's top-ranked offense for the third consecutive year under offensive coordinator [[Al Saunders]]. The Chiefs performed poorly due to their soft defense, which was ranked 31st out of 32 teams in the league.

Vermeil returned with the [[2005 Kansas City Chiefs season|Chiefs]] for the [[2005 NFL season|2005 season]] with one of the NFL's best offenses, and an improved defense. In 2005 Vermeil and Saunders uncharacteristically included more high-risk calls. [[Pro Bowl]] [[running back]] and team leader Priest Holmes suffered a season-ending injury against the [[2005 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] in the eighth week of the season. However, his injury allowed the emerging [[Larry Johnson (running back)|Larry Johnson]] to start in his place. Under Johnson, the Chiefs' offense continued at its usual explosive pace. On December 31, Vermeil announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2005 season,<ref>{{cite web |title=Vermeil to retire at end of season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2276661 |website=ESPN.com |date = January 2006|publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref> and the next day he led the Chiefs to a 37&ndash;3 rout over the [[2005 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]. However, the Chiefs failed to make the [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|playoffs]], despite their 10&ndash;6 record.

==Post-coaching career and legacy==
Vermeil is remembered for his frequent emotional breakdowns during press conferences, including crying when getting emotional. This display of emotion has helped make him a popular coach among fans. Vermeil lives in the historic [[Country Club Plaza]] district of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]. When not in Kansas City, the entire Vermeil family enjoys spending time and working on "The Ranch", a {{convert|114|acre|km2|adj=on}} homestead located outside [[Philadelphia]] in rural [[Chester County, Pennsylvania]]. He is also a huge supporter of the Chester County Council [[Boy Scouts of America]] and is a recipient of the [[Silver Beaver Award]], which was coincidentally awarded at the same time he was named head coach of the Chiefs in [[2001 NFL season|2001]]. His annual golf invitational has brought in over US$1 million to the council's operational fund.

[[File:Vermeil Wines in Calistoga.JPG| thumb | Vermeil Wines/On The Edge Winery in [[Calistoga, California]] ]]
Vermeil partnered with OnTheEdge Winery and produced his own self-proclaimed "Garage Cabernet" wine, named in honor of his father, Jean Louis Vermeil. Vermeil was actually once reprimanded by the NFL when during a game he promised kicker [[Morten Andersen]] a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon if he could kick the game-winning field goal versus Oakland. Andersen made the kick, but upon hearing about the offer, the NFL reminded Vermeil and the Chiefs that the $500 bottle of wine was considered a performance-based incentive bonus not written into Andersen's contract, and the gift was disallowed.<ref>{{cite web |title=No expensive wine for Andersen |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1671231 |website=espn.com |date = November 26, 2003|publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>

Vermeil and former Redskins head coach [[Joe Gibbs]] are close friends. It was under Vermeil's recommendation that Gibbs hired Vermeil's former offensive coordinator and 2005 ''USA Today''{{'}}s Offensive Coach of the Year [[Al Saunders]] as a top assistant coach.

Vermeil has been portrayed in several films. The 2006 film, ''{{film year|Invincible|2006}}'', showed Vermeil (played by [[Greg Kinnear]]) when he was head coach of Philadelphia and gave [[Vince Papale]] an opportunity to play for the [[Philadelphia Eagles|Eagles]]. In the 2021 film ''{{film year|American Underdog}}'', Vermeil is portrayed by [[Dennis Quaid]] when he gave [[Kurt Warner]] an opportunity to play for the [[St. Louis Rams]]. Vermeil is known for his exceptional judge of character capabilities and decisions to give chances to underdogs.

During his first retirement, Vermeil worked as a game analyst for both [[CBS]] (1983–87) and [[ABC Sports]] (1988–96), most of the time paired with [[Brent Musburger]]. Currently, Vermeil works as a game analyst on broadcasts of college football and NFL games on [[NFL Network]], with work during the [[2006 Insight Bowl]]. Vermeil also served as head coach in the 2012 and 2013 editions of the [[NFLPA Collegiate Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Alper|first=Josh|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/07/nflpa-will-hold-pre-draft-game-in-los-angeles/|title=NFLPA will hold pre-draft game in Los Angeles|publisher=[[Profootballtalk.com]]|date=November 7, 2011|access-date=January 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Finley|first=Ryan|url=http://azstarnet.com/sports/blogs/finley/arizona-wildcats-football-tutogi-and-quinn-accept-invites-to-nflpa/article_32cc76e2-59ce-11e2-abab-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Arizona Wildcats football: Tutogi and Quinn accept invites to NFLPA Bowl|newspaper=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|date=January 8, 2013|access-date=January 9, 2013}}</ref>

A [[Coors Light]] commercial featuring manipulated archival footage of Vermeil at a press conference debuted in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mullman |first1=Jeremy |title=COORS HOPES TO TURN FORMER FOOTBALL COACH'S TIRADE INTO AD |url=https://adage.com/article/news/coors-hopes-turn-football-coach-s-tirade-ad/119804 |website=adage.com |date=August 9, 2007 |publisher=AdAge |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

On November 2, 2008, Vermeil was honored by the St. Louis Rams organization with the placing of his name on the "Ring of Honor" around the inside of the [[Edward Jones Dome]] in St. Louis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vermeil to be added to Rams "Ring of Honor" |url=https://www.missourinet.com/2008/10/23/vermeil-to-be-added-to-rams-ring-of-honor/ |website=missourinet.com |date=October 23, 2008 |publisher=Learfield News & Ag, LLC |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Kurtcoach2014.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Vermeil (right) along with Kurt Warner, 2014.]]

Vermeil had a short cameo in the 2011 film ''The Greening of Whitney Brown'', set in Chester County, in which he plays a football coach for the local middle school.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinkerton |first1=Nick |title=The Greening of Whitney Brown |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/11/09/the-greening-of-whitney-brown/ |website=villagevoice.com |date=November 9, 2011 |publisher=VILLAGE VOICE, LLC. |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

The 2001 book autobiography ''Touched: The [[Jerry Sandusky]] Story'' ({{ISBN|9781582612706}}) includes a quote in a foreword<ref name=ES01>Merrill, Elizabeth, [https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7219828/no-one-seems-really-know-former-penn-state-assistant-coach-jerry-sandusky "No one, it seems, knows Jerry Sandusky"], ''ESPN.com'', November 11, 2011, 4:17 pm ET. Retrieved November 14, 2011.</ref> from Vermeil: "He could very well be the [[Will Rogers]] of the coaching profession."<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/11/jerry-sandusky-book-touched.html Jerry Sandusky's book titled 'Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story'], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.</ref> In 2011 former [[Penn State]] defensive coach Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts of [[child sexual abuse]]. A 2011 account about the book said "Sandusky paints a picture of himself as someone who would consistently take risks in pursuit of what he often refers to as 'mischief'" and there are many other citations and quotes which look "different in light of the horrendous allegations".<ref>[http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/jerry_sandusky_autobiography_t.html#incart_mce "Jerry Sandusky's autobiography 'Touched' contains passages that now make the reader cringe"], Harrisburg PA ''[[The Patriot-News]]'', November 12, 2011, 4 pm/10:27 pm. Retrieved November 14, 2011.</ref> After the firing of PSU president [[Graham B. Spanier]], it was reported that Vermeil on November 8, 2011, "told [Philadelphia] Action News, 'I don't think there's anything that could discolor the quality of Joe Paterno's legacy.'"<ref>Rys, Richard, [http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2011/11/09/ditka-vermeil-sound-psu-scandal/ "Ditka, Vermeil Sound Off On PSU Scandal: Apparently, the media's to blame for JoePa's ruined rep"], ''The Philly Post'', September 11, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.</ref> Vermeil also served on the Honorary Board of Sandusky's Second Mile children's foundation, along with Philadelphia Eagles coach [[Andy Reid]], [[Matt Millen]] from [[ESPN]], actor [[Mark Wahlberg]] and football player [[Franco Harris]], among others.<ref>Shorr-Parks, Eliot, [http://www.buzzonbroad.com/2011/11/andy-reid-dick-vermeil-on-honorary-board-for-sandusky-organization.html "Andy Reid, Dick Vermeil on Honorary Board for Sandusky Organization"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425163105/http://www.buzzonbroad.com/2011/11/andy-reid-dick-vermeil-on-honorary-board-for-sandusky-organization.html |date=April 25, 2012 }}, ''Yard Barker'' blog; "with [[FoxSports.com]] on [[MSN]]" upper right in page logo; October 11, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.</ref> It was reported on November 11, 2011, that Vermeil hadn't "spoken to [Sandusky] since the scandal broke. 'It's a blindside,' Vermeil said. 'That's all I can say.' 'If it's true, he's a sick man. He had an illness none of us knew about. That's all.'&nbsp;"<ref name=ES01/>

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia named Vermeil their Person of the Year in 1985 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2003.

Vermeil served as head coach for the National Team in the [[NFLPA Collegiate Bowl]] from 2012 to 2014,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markazi |first1=Arash |title=Coaches named for NFLPA Bowl |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nfl/story/_/id/8690907/herm-edwards-dick-vermeil-serve-coaches-nflpa-collegiate-bowl |website=espn.com |date=November 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Muma |first1=Steven |title=NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2013 coaching staff: Dick Vermeil leads National team |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/13/3873306/nflpa-collegiate-bowl-2013-dick-vermeil-coaching |website=sbnation.com |date=January 13, 2013 |publisher=Vox Media, Inc. |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zucker |first1=Joseph |title=NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2014: Stats and Analysis from Collegiate All-Star Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1928627-nflpa-collegiate-bowl-2014-stats-and-analysis-from-collegiate-all-star-game |website=bleacherreport.com |publisher=Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> leading his team to victory in each of his three appearances.

In August 2015, Vermeil bought a 2.5% share of the [[Philadelphia Soul]] [[arena football]] team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dick Vermeil buys into Arena League Philly Soul|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soul/20150820_Dick_Vermeil_buys_into_Arena_League_Philly_Soul.html|last=Barkowitz|first=Ed|work=Philly.com|publisher=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> With Vermeil owning a minority stake of the team, the Philadelphia Soul won [[ArenaBowl XXIX]] in 2016 & [[ArenaBowl XXX]] in 2017.

In 2020, he was named coaching finalist for the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]'s "Centennial Slate." He was again up for the class of 2021, but was among the coaches part of the final cut.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} He was chosen as the coaching finalist for the class of 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kerr|first1=Jeff|title=Cliff Branch, Dick Vermeil selected as finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cliff-branch-dick-vermeil-selected-as-finalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2022/ |work=CBS Sports |date=August 24, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>

In 2022, Vermeil was elected into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Legwold | first=Jeff | title=Vermeil, Boselli, Seymour headline '22 HOF class | website=ESPN.com | date=2022-02-11 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33263468/coach-dick-vermeil-tackle-tony-boselli-de-richard-seymour-headline-pro-football-hall-fame-class-2022 | access-date=2025-05-21}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
===Junior college===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Napa Chiefs football|Napa Chiefs]]
 | conf      = [[Golden Valley Conference]]
 | startyear = 1964
 | endyear   = single
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1964 junior college football season|1964]]
 | name         = Napa
 | overall      = 7–2
 | conference   = 4–1
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = no
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Napa
 | overall    = 7–2
 | confrecord = 4–1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 7–2
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = no
 | polltype = 
 | legend   = no
}}

===College===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | conf = yes | bowl = yes | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name = [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA Bruins]]
 | conf = [[Pac-12 Conference|Pacific-8 Conference]]
 | startyear = 1974
 | endyear = 1975
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year = [[1974 NCAA Division I football season|1974]]
 | name = [[1974 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
 | overall = 6–3–2
 | conference = 4–2–1
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | ranking = 
 | ranking2 = 
 | bowlname = 
 | bowloutcome = 
 | bcsbowl =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year = [[1975 NCAA Division I football season|1975]]
 | name = [[1975 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
 | overall = 9–2–1
 | conference = 6–1
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | ranking = 5
 | ranking2 = 5
 | bowlname = [[1976 Rose Bowl|Rose]]
 | bowloutcome = W
 | bcsbowl =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name = UCLA
 | overall = 15–5–3
 | confrecord = 10–3–1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall = 15–5–3
 | bowls= no
 | poll = two
 | legend = 
}}

===NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Post-season
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1976 NFL season|1976]]
||4||10||0||.286||4th in NFC East|| - || - || - || -
|-
![[1977 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1977 NFL season|1977]]
||5||9||0||.357||4th in NFC East|| - || - || - || -
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1978 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1978 NFL season|1978]]
||9||7||0||.563||'''2nd in NFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <Small>'''Lost to [[1978 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] in [[1978–79 NFL playoffs|NFC Wild Card Game]]'''</Small>
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1979 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1979 NFL season|1979]]
||11||5||0||.688||'''2nd in NFC East'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <Small>'''Lost to [[1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in [[1979–80 NFL playoffs|NFC Divisional Game]]'''</Small>
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1980 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1980 NFL season|1980]]
||12||4||0||.750||'''1st in NFC East'''|| 2 || 1 || .667 || <Small>'''Lost to [[1980 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in [[Super Bowl XV]]'''</Small>
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1981 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1981 NFL season|1981]]
||10||6||0||.625||'''2nd in NFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <Small>'''Lost to [[1981 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in [[1981–82 NFL playoffs|NFC Wild Card Game]]'''</Small>
|-
![[1982 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1982 NFL season|1982]]
||3||6||0||.333||13th in NFC || - || - || - || -
|-
! colspan="2"|PHI Total||54||47||0||.535||||3||4||.429||
|-
![[1997 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]||[[1997 NFL season|1997]]
||5||11||0||.313||5th in NFC West|| - || - || - || -
|-
![[1998 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]||[[1998 NFL season|1998]]
||4||12||0||.250||5th in NFC West|| - || - || - || -
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1999 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]||[[1999 NFL season|1999]]
||13||3||0||.813||'''1st in NFC West'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || <Small>'''[[Super Bowl XXXIV]] champions'''</Small>
|-
! colspan="2"|STL Total||22||26||0||.458||||3||0||1.000||
|-
![[2001 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]||[[2001 NFL season|2001]]
||6||10||0||.375||4th in AFC West|| - || - || - || -
|-
![[2002 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]||[[2002 NFL season|2002]]
||8||8||0||.500||4th in AFC West|| - || - || - || -
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[2003 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]||[[2003 NFL season|2003]]
||13||3||0||.813||'''1st in AFC West'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <Small>'''Lost to [[2003 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] in [[2003–04 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''</Small>
|-
![[2004 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]||[[2004 NFL season|2004]]
||7||9||0||.438||3rd in AFC West|| - || - || - || -
|-
![[2005 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]||[[2005 NFL season|2005]]
||10||6||0||.625||2nd in AFC West|| - || - || - || -
|-
! colspan="2"|KC Total||44||36||0||.550||||0||1||.000||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total<ref name="pfr">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/VermDi0.htm|title=Dick Vermeil Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>||120||109||0||.524||||6||5||.545||
|-
|}

==Personal life==
Vermeil and his wife, Carol, have three children and 11 grandchildren.<ref name="Chiefs"/> Vermeil's nephew, [[Louie Giammona]], played in the NFL for Vermeil with the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. Giammona also played for the [[New York Jets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19801027&id=QN4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2807,4626464|title=Louie Giammona Back On Uncle's Good Side|newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]]|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|date=October 27, 1980|via=Google News Archive Search}}</ref>

After [[John Madden]] passed on December 28, 2021, Vermeil became the oldest living coach of a Super Bowl winning team. Following the passing of former Vikings Hall of Fame coach [[Bud Grant]] on March 11, 2023, Vermeil and Super Bowl XV counterpart [[Tom Flores]] share the title for the earliest Super Bowl coached by a living coach; they are the only living coaches from any of the first 16 Super Bowls.

==See also==
* [[List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards]]
* [[List of National Football League head coaches with 50 wins]]
* [[List of teachers portrayed in films]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Dick Vermeil—awards, championships, and honors
| list =
{{San Jose State Spartans quarterback navbox}}
{{UCLA Bruins football coach navbox}}
{{Philadelphia Eagles coach navbox}}
{{Los Angeles Rams coach navbox}}
{{Los Angeles Rams general manager navbox}}
{{Kansas City Chiefs coach navbox}}
{{Super Bowl XXXIV}}
{{Pac-12 Coach of the Year}}
{{AP NFL Coaches of the Year}}
{{SN Sportsman of the Year}}
{{Eagles Honor Roll}}
{{St. Louis Football Ring Of Fame}}
{{Thursday Night Football}}
{{2022 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vermeil, Dick}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:Kansas City Chiefs head coaches]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams coaches]]
[[Category:NFL Europe broadcasters]]
[[Category:NFL announcers]]
[[Category:NFL general managers]]
[[Category:New England Patriots coaches]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles head coaches]]
[[Category:San Jose State Spartans football players]]
[[Category:San Mateo Bulldogs football coaches]]
[[Category:Stanford Cardinal football coaches]]
[[Category:St. Louis Rams head coaches]]
[[Category:St. Louis Rams executives]]
[[Category:UCLA Bruins football coaches]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in California]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Super Bowl–winning head coaches]]
[[Category:People from Calistoga, California]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from California]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Napa County, California]]
[[Category:American people of French descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:NFL Coach of the Year winners]]