Heading into this weekend nine former NFL players have led high school teams to a state championship as a head coach in 2025.
Four more, including Carson Palmer of
Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Jarvis Jones of
Carver (Columbus, Ga.), could join this list.
Palmer, a 15-year NFL veteran, returned to his alma mater and has the Eagles in the state championship for the first time since 2011.
Former Steelers first-round pick Jones is also in his rookie season as head coach at his alma mater and has the Tigers in the Class AA state championship game.
At
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), Dave Logan won his 13th state championship Dec. 6. Logan doubles as the Denver Broncos play-by-play radio broadcaster and the next day was at Allegiant Stadium calling a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Read on for a look at all nine former NFL players to win a state championship as a head coach in 2025. All players on the appeared on a NFL regular season roster.
Santa Margarita head coach Carson Palmer holds up the Southern Section Division 1 championship plaque last month. Now the former NFL quarterback has his team's sights set on a state championship this week. (PHOTO: Louis Lopez)
Won Class 3A championship with 42-7 over Murray.
NFL: The quarterback was on the Carolina Panthers active roster for part of the 2009 season.
Chris Greisen, West De Pere (De Pere, Wis.)
Title game: Won Division 2 championship 28-14 over Notre Dame Academy.
NFL: Played in five games with the Arizona Cardinals from 1999-2000 as a backup quarterback.
Conrad Hamilton, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Title game: Won 5A state championship with 21-7 over Canyon View.
NFL: Played five seasons with the Giants and Falcons from 1996-2001. In his career he intercepted Dan Marino, sacked John Elway and forced Troy Brown to fumble.
DeVonte Holloman, Pinewood Prep (Summerville, S.C.)
Title game: Won SCISA Class 3A championship with 55-13 over Wilson Hall.
NFL: Had 26 tackles over nine games with the Cowboys in 2013. In the final game of his career against rival Philadelphia, Holloman sacked future Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles twice.
Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne (Fla.)
Title game: Won Rural championship with 24-8 over Blountstown.
NFL: He won two national championships at Florida and was on the Eagles from 2009-11.
M.D. Jennings, Calhoun City (Miss.)
Title game: Won Class 1A championship with 14-8 over Simmons.
NFL: Had 133 tackles with the Packers from 2011-13. In 2012 he returned a Matt Stafford interception 72 yards for a touchdown that gave Green Bay a second half lead.
Dave Logan, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)
Title game: Won Class 5A championship with 56-28 over Ralston Valley.
NFL: Caught 263 passes with the Browns and Broncos over a 199-game career from 1976-84. Was also drafted in the MLB by the Reds and the NBA by the Kings.
Title game: Won CAA Division III championship with 50-0 over Heritage Academy.
NFL: Caught 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns from 2015-17.
Joe Wong, Kailua (Hawaii)
Title game: Won Division I championship with 13-9 over Kapa'a.
NFL: Played in two games with the Raiders in 2003.
