Hubbry Logo
search
logo
Chuck Long avatar
Chuck Long
Chuck Long
current hub
1988697

Chuck Long

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
Chuck Long
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Charles Franklin Long Jr. (born February 18, 1963) is an American football coach and former player. He played as a quarterback in college for the Iowa Hawkeyes under coach Hayden Fry and professionally with the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.[1] After his professional career, Long was an assistant coach at Iowa and Oklahoma before serving as the head football coach for the San Diego State Aztecs. Long also held a position as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas Jayhawks under head coach Turner Gill.[2] Long is the CEO and executive director of the Iowa Sports Foundation,[3] the organization that runs the Iowa Games, the Senior Games, Adaptive Sports Iowa, Iowa Corporate Games and the Live Healthy Iowa challenge, as well as an analyst for the Big Ten Network.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Born in Norman, Oklahoma, and raised in Wheaton, Illinois, Long attended Wheaton North High School and played football, basketball and baseball under Jim Rexilius.[4] He led his team to the 1979 state title in football as the starting quarterback and was named to the all-state championship squad. Long also gathered all-state honors in 1980.

Still, Long was not heavily recruited out of high school, as Long averaged only five to six pass attempts per game. As a result, he did not receive his first recruiting call until Thanksgiving of his senior year. Just three schools looked into offering him a scholarship: Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and Iowa. Long eventually accepted a scholarship to play at Iowa for future Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry.

College career

[edit]

1981–1984

[edit]

Long redshirted for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1981. However, the redshirting rule was new, so Long was only able to take a couple of snaps during his redshirt season. The current redshirt rule (2018) allows a player to participate in up to four games during his/her redshirt season and retain a year of eligibility. While Long played very sparingly in 1981, he did run a couple of plays at the very end of the 1982 Rose Bowl; because of this, he later became the first College Football Player to ever play in five bowl games.

Before the 1982 season, Hayden Fry said that Long was "destined for greatness", which was a bold statement considering that Long was so lightly recruited out of high school. Long started in the first game of the 1982 season, but he was benched for a game after a loss to Nebraska. He was reinserted as a starter in the third game of the 1982 season and led Iowa to a win over Arizona. Long never lost his starting spot again while at Iowa.

Long threw for 1,374 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. It was the third most passing yardage in a single season ever at Iowa, behind Gary Snook and Larry Lawrence. His 64.2 completion percentage was a school record. Iowa had a 7–4 record before defeating Tennessee in the 1982 Peach Bowl. Long was the offensive player of the game after completing 19 of 26 passes for a career-high 304 yards.

As a sophomore in 1983, Long passed for a school record 345 yards in a 42–35 win at Penn State. A few weeks later, he completed just 12 of 27 passes in a loss to Illinois; it would be the only time in his college career as a starter that he failed to complete at least half of his passes. The following week against Northwestern, Long broke his own school record for passing yards and helped Iowa set a new conference record with 713 yards of total offense. He accounted for 398 yards of total offense, also a school record. By the end of his sophomore year, Long owned Iowa's school records for yards passing in a season and a career, touchdown passes in a season and a career, and total offense in a season and a career. He led Iowa to a 9–2 record in the 1983 season and a berth in the Gator Bowl after being named first team all-Big Ten.

Long was again an all-Big Ten selection as a junior in 1984, as he finished first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency. Long completed 22 consecutive passes against Indiana, setting an NCAA record. He also finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a junior. Iowa had a 7–4–1 record after the 1984 regular season and accepted an invitation to the Freedom Bowl against Texas.[5][6]

A windy, rainy day did not slow Long in what some felt might be his final college game. Iowa destroyed Texas, 55–17, the second most points ever scored against Texas and the most in 80 years. Long broke a 24–17 game at halftime wide open by completing 12 of 14 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns in the third quarter alone. For the game, Long was offensive MVP as he completed a school record 29 passes in 39 attempts for a bowl record 461 yards and a bowl record 6 touchdowns.

The 1985 season

[edit]
Main article: 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

After much consideration, Long delighted Iowa Hawkeye fans by declaring that he would return for his senior season. He became an instant Heisman Trophy candidate, and Iowa was a preseason top five team. After three weeks in 1985, the Hawkeyes ascended to #1 in the national rankings.

In Iowa's first game at #1, the Hawkeyes played Michigan State. A seesaw game had Michigan State leading, 31–28, in the waning minutes. Long drove Iowa the length of the field, and the Hawkeyes faced fourth and goal from the two-yard line with just 27 seconds remaining. Since college football had no overtime rule at the time, Iowa needed to go for the touchdown and the win rather than attempt a tie. Long faked a handoff to running back Ronnie Harmon and then ran to his right. His fake had fooled the Spartan defenders, and Long ran into the endzone, holding the ball high above his head as he crossed the goal line to give Iowa a 35–31 victory. He completed a school record 30 passes on 39 attempts for 380 yards and scored five touchdowns (four passing and the game winning score rushing) in the game.

Two weeks later, #1 Iowa faced #2 Michigan in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa trailed 10–9 as the Hawkeyes regained possession of the football at their own 22-yard line with just 5:27 remaining in the game. Long led Iowa on a 66-yard drive against the nation's top-ranked defense, twice converting third-and-eight situations by completing passes to tight end Mike Flagg. Long drove the Iowa team to the 12-yard line with two seconds remaining to set up kicker Rob Houghtlin's game-winning field goal as time expired. Long completed 26 of 39 passes for 297 yards in Iowa's 12–10 win.

A loss to Ohio State cost Iowa their #1 ranking, but the Hawkeyes still won the Big Ten title outright for the first time in 27 years. Long won many major national awards as a senior, including the 1985 Maxwell Award, given to the nation's top player and the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top quarterback. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus first team All-American. Finally, Long was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy to Bo Jackson of Auburn in the second closest race in the award's history, losing by just 45 points.

Though Iowa lost in Long's final game in the 1986 Rose Bowl, the loophole with the redshirting rule allowed Long to play in his fifth bowl game.

Long's Iowa teams compiled a 35–13–1 record. He graduated with 10,461 passing yards and 74 touchdowns on 782 completions. He held every passing record at the University of Iowa except one (passes attempted in a game) when he graduated. Long holds the best completion percentage of any college quarterback all-time who has attempted more than 1,000 career passes. He was also the first Big Ten player and just the second player in college football history to throw for more than 10,000 yards in a career. The first was Doug Flutie. Long was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

On December 12, 2014, the Big Ten Network included Long on "The Mount Rushmore of Iowa Football", as chosen by online fan voting. Long was joined in the honor by Nile Kinnick, Alex Karras and Tim Dwight. Of the honor, Long told BTN Live host Mike Hall: "It's a great honor. It was a great time to be a Hawkeye during those years. I'm very honored to be on that list."

Professional career

[edit]

Drafted 12th overall in the first round by the Detroit Lions in the 1986 NFL draft,[7] Long's NFL career was disappointing. During Long's rookie season in the NFL, he was called into a game after an injury suffered by then-starting quarterback Joe Ferguson. His best season was 1987, in which he threw 2,598 yards, 11 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Long played for the Lions from 1986 to 1989 before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1990. After one year in Los Angeles, Long returned to Detroit for the 1991 season, though he did not attempt any passes.

Coaching career

[edit]

Long transitioned to a career as a football coach. He returned to his alma mater in 1995, serving as Iowa's defensive backs coach. Though Long had no coaching experience and had played on the offensive side of the ball for his entire career, he quickly became a respected defensive coach. In his three seasons coaching defensive backs from 1995 to 1997, Iowa posted a 24–12 record and advanced to a bowl game all three years. Iowa led the nation in interceptions returned for touchdowns in 1995, while the 1997 squad led the Big Ten in interceptions.

Long switched to coaching Iowa's quarterbacks and special teams in 1998. After the 1998 season, Iowa coach Hayden Fry retired, and though Long was considered for the job, Fry was ultimately succeeded by Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz retained Long from Fry's staff, and Long served Ferentz in the same capacity for the 1999 season.

After five seasons coaching at Iowa, Long left the Hawkeyes to become the quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Long were teammates on Iowa's 1982 Rose Bowl team. Long was an assistant on the Oklahoma team that claimed the 2000 Bowl Championship Series national title. He coached quarterback Josh Heupel to a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting that year.

After the 2001 season, Long was promoted to Oklahoma's offensive coordinator position. Oklahoma won the Rose Bowl following the 2002 season, and in 2003, the Sooners set a Big 12 Conference record by averaging 51.5 points per game.

In 2004, Long was named as a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. He was an assistant coach at Oklahoma for six seasons, including four as an offensive coordinator, and Oklahoma compiled a 67–11 record during his time there.

After the 2005 season, Long landed his first head coaching position when he was hired as the 16th head football coach at San Diego State University. Long had a record of 9–27 in three seasons as SDSU's head coach. On November 23, 2008, college president Stephen Weber announced that Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel had dismissed Long prior to the final game of the season. Coach Long finished his third season only winning 2 out of 12 games, including the one conference win on his final night. San Diego State finished the 2008 season with a 2–10 record, the first and only ten-loss season in school history.[8] Long also had the distinction of having his team lose two games to Division I-AA Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (in his first and third seasons with the Aztecs, respectively).

Long was offensive coordinator for the Kansas Jayhawks.[9] Long became part of the coaching staff under head coach Turner Gill after the departure of Mark Mangino, Long's former co-worker at Oklahoma.

In 2012, Long became receivers coach at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma.[10]

In 2019, Long was hired by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL as running backs coach.[11] He was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on January 11, 2020.[12]

Long was officially hired by the Arlington Renegades on September 13, 2022[13]

Family

[edit]

Long is married with five children.[14]

Head coaching record

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing
San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West Conference) (2006–2008)
2006 San Diego State 3–9 3–5 T–6th
2007 San Diego State 4–8 3–5 6th
2008 San Diego State 2–10 1–7 T–8th
San Diego State: 9–27 7–17
Total: 9–27

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chuck Long

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Charles Long (born February 18, 1963) is an American former professional football quarterback, coach, and sports executive, best known for his record-setting college career at the University of Iowa and his leadership role in promoting amateur sports in the state.[1][2] Long grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, after being born in Norman, Oklahoma, and attended Wheaton North High School, where he began developing as a quarterback.[1] At Iowa from 1981 to 1985, he started for four seasons, leading the Hawkeyes to a 35-13-1 record and appearances in five bowl games, a school record at the time.[3][1] In 1984, he set a national record with 22 consecutive completions against Indiana and led the nation in pass completion percentage at 66.1%.[1] His senior year in 1985 was particularly dominant, as he threw for 3,297 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning consensus All-American honors, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, and a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting to Auburn's Bo Jackson by 45 points, the closest margin in the award's history at the time.[3][1] Over his college career, Long amassed 10,461 passing yards and 74 touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in Big Ten history to surpass 10,000 yards, and he was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year for 1985-86.[1] For his contributions, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.[1] Selected 12th overall in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Long played five seasons in the league, primarily as a backup with the Lions (1986-1989, 1991) and Los Angeles Rams (1990).[4] He appeared in 27 games, completing 331 of 607 passes for 3,747 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions, with his most extensive starting role coming in 1987 when he threw for 2,598 yards but led the NFL with 20 interceptions.[4] Long retired as a player after the 1991 season, finishing with a 4-17 record as a starter.[4] Transitioning to coaching, Long spent nearly two decades in the profession, beginning as an assistant at Iowa before serving as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, where he contributed to the Sooners' 2000 national championship team.[5] He later held a head coaching position at San Diego State (2006-2008), compiling a 9-27 record, and worked as an assistant at Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Long left college coaching in 2011 but returned to the profession in professional leagues, serving as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL, 2020) and the Arlington Renegades (UFL, 2023–2024). In 2013, he became CEO and executive director of the Iowa Sports Foundation, a role he continues to hold, overseeing programs like the Iowa Games, Senior Games, and Adaptive Sports Iowa that impact around 200,000 participants annually in sports, recreation, health, and wellness initiatives.[2][5] Additionally, he has served as a college football analyst for the Big Ten Network and co-authored the 2017 memoir Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and the Resurgence of Hawkeye Football.[5]

Early Life

Upbringing

Charles Franklin Long Jr. was born on February 18, 1963, in Norman, Oklahoma, where his parents, both alumni of the University of Oklahoma, were living at the time.[6][5] His father, Charles Long Sr., secured a job in the Chicago area, prompting the family to relocate when Chuck was four years old, settling in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb known for its strong community sports programs.[7] Growing up in Wheaton, Long developed an early interest in football through informal play on neighborhood playgrounds and participation in local youth leagues, which fostered his passion for the sport from a young age.[8] These experiences laid the groundwork for his athletic development, influenced by the area's emphasis on youth athletics starting as early as fourth grade.[9] His non-athletic interests included a focus on education, reflecting the values instilled by his family, though he balanced these with emerging athletic pursuits.

High School Career

Chuck Long attended Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Illinois, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, and baseball.[10] As the starting quarterback for the Falcons, Long led the team to the Illinois Class 4A state football championship in 1979 during his junior season, culminating in a 14-6 victory over LaSalle-Peru in the title game.[11][12] In that championship contest, he completed just 1 of 4 pass attempts for negative 3 yards, reflecting Wheaton North's emphasis on a dominant running game and stout defense rather than aerial attacks.[5] The following year, as a senior in 1980, Long guided the Falcons back to the IHSA playoffs, maintaining the team's ground-oriented strategy that limited his passing opportunities to roughly three or four attempts per game.[11][5] Long's high school performance drew limited college recruitment attention, as major programs overlooked him due to the scarcity of passing statistics in Wheaton North's offense, which focused regionally on Midwest talent.[13][14] Ultimately, he selected the University of Iowa over offers from smaller programs, committing after an official visit where offensive coordinator Bill Snyder and head coach Hayden Fry extended a full scholarship recognizing his potential beyond the stat sheet.[11][5]

College Career

1981–1983 Seasons

Chuck Long arrived at the University of Iowa in 1981 as a highly touted quarterback recruit and was redshirted that season to preserve his eligibility, though he did make a brief appearance in the Hawkeyes' Rose Bowl game against Washington, entering for two plays late in the 28-0 loss without recording any statistics beyond minimal carries.[6] Under head coach Hayden Fry, who had revitalized the program since taking over in 1979, Iowa finished the 1981 regular season with an 8-3 record, marking their first bowl appearance since 1965 and signaling the start of building momentum in the Big Ten Conference.[15] In 1982, Long earned the starting role as a redshirt freshman and led the Hawkeyes to an 8-4 overall record (6-2 in conference), including a come-from-behind 28-22 victory over Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. He completed 129 of 201 passes for 1,374 yards and 8 touchdowns, achieving a 64.2% completion rate that set an Iowa single-season record at the time.[16][17] This performance helped Iowa win eight of their final ten games after a 1-2 start, finishing third in the Big Ten and demonstrating Long's growing command of Fry's pro-style offense, which emphasized precise passing and team balance.[18] Long's sophomore year in 1983 further solidified his role, as he threw for 2,434 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 144 of 236 attempts at a 61.0% rate, contributing to Iowa's 9-2 regular-season record and No. 10 national ranking. A standout moment came on September 17 against Penn State, where Long set an Iowa single-game passing record with 345 yards on 16-of-30 completions, including two touchdown passes, in a 42-34 upset win over the defending national champions that handed them an 0-3 start.[16][19] The Hawkeyes capped the year with a Gator Bowl berth but fell 14-6 to Florida, ending 9-3 overall; Long's early contributions under Fry continued to foster team momentum, transforming Iowa into a consistent bowl contender.[20]

1984 Season

In 1984, Chuck Long experienced a breakout junior season as the starting quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading the team to an 8–4–1 record under head coach Hayden Fry. Building on his experience from the previous three seasons, Long's performance marked a significant step forward in the program's offensive development, emphasizing a more dynamic passing attack that evolved from Fry's balanced scheme into one of the nation's most efficient aerial units.[21][22] Long set an NCAA record by completing 22 consecutive passes in a single game against Indiana on October 27, showcasing his precision and command of the offense. For the season, he threw for 2,871 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, with notable improvements in completion percentage reaching 66.1%, which led all Division I quarterbacks and the Big Ten Conference. These statistics highlighted Long's growth as a pocket passer, contributing to Iowa's offensive evolution by stretching defenses and complementing the team's strong rushing attack led by Ronnie Harmon.[1][23][24] The season culminated in the inaugural Freedom Bowl on December 26, where Long earned MVP honors in a 55–17 victory over Texas. Despite steady rain, he completed 29 of 39 passes for 461 yards and a bowl-record six touchdowns, setting NCAA postseason marks and powering Iowa's dominant offensive display. This performance not only capped Long's junior year but also underscored his pivotal role in Fry's strategy to elevate the Hawkeyes' passing game to national prominence.[25][26][27]

1985 Season

In his senior season, Chuck Long capped his development as Iowa's quarterback by guiding the Hawkeyes to a 10–2 overall record, including an undefeated 7–0 mark in Big Ten play that clinched the conference title and earned Iowa its first Rose Bowl berth since 1981.[28][29] The team ascended to No. 1 in the national polls for five weeks early in the season, reflecting Long's leadership in a high-powered offense that emphasized his precise passing.[30] Over his four-year Iowa career, Long amassed 10,461 passing yards and 74 touchdown passes, both of which set school records that stood for decades.[22][31] In the 1986 Rose Bowl against UCLA, Long completed 29 of 37 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown, though Iowa fell 45–28 amid four turnovers by the offense.[27][32] His performance that year also positioned him as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, finishing second in the voting behind Auburn's Bo Jackson.[11] Long's college tenure featured appearances in five bowl games—Rose (1981 and 1985), Peach (1982), Gator (1983), and Freedom (1984)—a mark that was an NCAA record at the time.[33]

Awards and Honors

Collegiate Accolades

During his senior year at the University of Iowa in 1985, Chuck Long earned the Maxwell Award, recognizing him as the nation's top college football player.[34] This honor highlighted his leadership in guiding the Hawkeyes to a 10-1 regular season record and a Big Ten Conference championship.[34] That same year, Long also received the Davey O'Brien Award, presented to the outstanding quarterback in NCAA Division I football.[3] Long's exceptional performance in 1985 culminated in his selection as a unanimous consensus All-American, a distinction earned through first-team honors on all major All-America squads.[6] In Heisman Trophy voting that season, he finished second overall with 1,464 points, just 45 behind winner Bo Jackson of Auburn in the closest margin in the award's history at the time.[35] As a junior in 1984, Long placed seventh in Heisman voting, accumulating 37 points.[36] In conference play, Long was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1985.[37] He was also named the Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year in 1986.[38] Additionally, he was recognized as Offensive MVP in two bowl games: the 1982 Peach Bowl, where Iowa defeated Tennessee, and the 1984 Freedom Bowl victory over Texas.[6] These accolades underscored Long's pivotal role in Iowa's offensive success during his collegiate career.[6]

Hall of Fame Induction

Chuck Long was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 as a player for the University of Iowa, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a quarterback from 1981 to 1985.[39][1] His induction was based on a combination of national records, prestigious awards, and significant impact on the Iowa football program. Long amassed NCAA regular-season career totals of 9,210 passing yards, 692 completions, and 64 touchdowns, and including bowls, 10,461 yards, 782 completions, and 74 touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in history to surpass 10,000 career passing yards, while also earning consensus All-American honors, the Maxwell Award as national player of the year, the Davey O'Brien Award, and a runner-up finish in the 1985 Heisman Trophy voting.[1][3] These achievements, coupled with leading Iowa to five bowl games—including the 1986 Rose Bowl—elevated the Hawkeyes' profile under coach Hayden Fry, bringing national attention to the program and establishing Long as a pivotal figure in its resurgence.[11][1] In addition to the national honor, Long received Iowa-specific recognition through his 1997 induction into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring his role in the team's successes during the 1980s.[40] He was later enshrined in the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, further affirming his lasting legacy with the Hawkeyes.[3]

Professional Career

Detroit Lions Tenure

Chuck Long was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa.[4] In his rookie season of 1986, Long saw limited action behind starter Joe Ferguson, appearing in three games with two starts and completing 21 of 40 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while adjusting to the professional game's speed and complexity.[4] Long's most extensive playing time came in 1987, when he started all 12 games amid quarterback instability, passing for 2,598 yards with 11 touchdowns and a league-high 20 interceptions for a 63.4 passer rating.[4] Injuries restricted him to seven starts in 1988, where he threw for 856 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, achieving a 68.2 passer rating; he appeared in just one game without starting in 1989.[4] Over four seasons with the Lions from 1986 to 1989, Long started 21 of 23 games, completing 330 of 602 attempts (54.8%) for 3,743 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions, yielding a 65.4 passer rating; the team posted losing records each year (5-11 in 1986, 4-11 in 1987, 4-12 in 1988, and 7-9 in 1989) and did not qualify for the playoffs during his tenure.[4] Following the 1989 season, Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on May 2, 1990.[41]

Los Angeles Rams Appearance

Chuck Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams from the Detroit Lions on May 2, 1990, in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, serving as a veteran backup quarterback behind starter Jim Everett.[42][41] During the 1990 regular season, his only year of regular-season action with the Rams, Long appeared in four games without starting, completing 1 of 5 pass attempts for 4 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.[4] The Rams finished the season with a 5-11 record amid offensive inconsistencies, averaging 21.6 points per game but struggling with consistency in the NFC West.[43] In 1991, Long remained with the Rams through training camp and preseason, where he started an exhibition game against the Atlanta Falcons on August 3, his first NFL start in over two and a half years.[44] However, he saw no regular-season playing time that year and was released by the team on August 27 as part of final roster cuts, amid competition from other quarterbacks like Jim Everett and Blair Kiecker.[45] Following his release from the Rams, Long signed with the Detroit Lions on November 1, 1991, but did not appear in any games, effectively concluding his playing career. He retired at age 28 after the 1991 season, citing persistent limited opportunities as a backup and the physical toll of the league. Over his six-year NFL tenure, Long accumulated 3,747 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, and a 64.5 passer rating across 27 games.[4] Reflecting on his professional career, Long noted the stark contrast to his stellar college performance at Iowa, stating, "I never rediscovered anything close to my college magic in the NFL—those were rough years," highlighting how high expectations from his record-setting collegiate tenure were unmet in the pros due to inconsistent roles and team dynamics.[5]

Coaching Career

Assistant Roles at Iowa and Oklahoma

After retiring from professional football, Chuck Long returned to his alma mater, the University of Iowa, in 1995 as defensive backs coach, a position he held through the 1997 season. Under his tutelage, Iowa's defensive secondary performed among the top units in the Big Ten Conference over those three years, contributing to the Hawkeyes' defensive stability during a period that included an 8-4 record and a Sun Bowl appearance in 1995.[46] In 1998, Long shifted to the offensive staff as quarterbacks coach—the first such dedicated role in head coach Hayden Fry's 20-year tenure at Iowa—a responsibility he maintained through the 1999 season under new head coach Kirk Ferentz. During this time, he focused on quarterback development, working with players such as Scott Mullen and Randy Reiners amid challenging team transitions, including a 3-9 finish in 1998 followed by an 8-4 campaign and Alamo Bowl berth in 1999.[47][48][49] Long departed Iowa after the 1999 season to join the University of Oklahoma as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2000. There, he contributed to the Sooners' offensive success by developing quarterback Josh Heupel, who threw for 3,163 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to a 13-0 record and the program's first BCS National Championship since 1956.[50][51] He remained Oklahoma's quarterbacks coach in 2001, mentoring Nate Hybl, who stepped in as starter following an injury to the previous signal-caller and led the team to an 11-2 record, a Big 12 title, and a Cotton Bowl victory. In 2002, Long was promoted to offensive coordinator while retaining his quarterbacks coaching duties, a role he held through the 2005 season; under his schemes, the Sooners amassed a 43-9 record, secured two more Big 12 championships (2002 and 2004), and featured high-powered offenses that supported Heisman Trophy winner Jason White in 2003.[51][52] Long left Oklahoma following the 2005 season, during which the Sooners finished 8-4, as part of broader staff realignments that included the hiring of a new offensive coordinator.[51][53]

Head Coach at San Diego State

Chuck Long was hired as the head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs in December 2005, following his tenure as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, where he had contributed to successful seasons under Bob Stoops.[54] His appointment was seen as a move to revitalize the program with his offensive expertise from both playing and coaching backgrounds.[55] During his three seasons from 2006 to 2008, Long compiled an overall record of 9–27, with a 7–17 mark in Mountain West Conference play, resulting in a .250 winning percentage. The 2006 season ended at 3–9 overall (3–5 MWC), marked by a struggling offense averaging just 14.2 points per game and a defense allowing 27.1 points per game. In 2007, the team improved slightly to 4–8 (3–5 MWC), with offensive output rising to 25.1 points per game, though defensive woes intensified, conceding 34.4 points per game on average. The 2008 campaign was the worst, finishing 2–10 (1–7 MWC), as the offense dipped to 19.2 points per game and the defense permitted a league-high 37.2 points per game.[56][57][58] Long's tenure saw some offensive progress in 2007, but persistent defensive deficiencies and overall win-loss struggles hindered success. Recruiting challenges were exacerbated by San Diego State's stringent academic admission standards, which Long later criticized as limiting talent acquisition compared to peer programs. These issues culminated in his firing on November 23, 2008, following a 1–10 start to the season, despite a final win against Colorado State that brought the Aztecs to 2–10. The university raised over $1 million from donors to cover the buyout of his remaining contract.[59][60][61]
YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingNotes
2006San Diego State3–93–5T–6th (MWC)PF: 170, PA: 325
2007San Diego State4–83–55th (MWC)PF: 301, PA: 413
2008San Diego State2–101–79th (MWC)PF: 231, PA: 446
Total9–277–17.250

Offensive Coordinator at Kansas

After a year away from coaching following his dismissal from San Diego State at the end of the 2008 season, Chuck Long was hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Kansas Jayhawks by new head coach Turner Gill on December 12, 2009.[62] Long implemented a spread offense aimed at revitalizing a program coming off a 5-7 record under previous coach Mark Mangino, focusing on balanced attacks and quarterback development. In the 2010 season, Long's offense showed early signs of improvement in balance, averaging 296.4 total yards per game, including 161.8 passing yards and 134.6 rushing yards, a step up from the prior year's pass-heavy approach.[63] However, quarterback inconsistencies with Todd Reesing and freshmen like Scott Smith contributed to execution issues, and the Jayhawks finished with a 3-9 overall record and 1-7 in Big 12 play.[64] The 2011 season brought further offensive developments under Long, with total yards per game rising to 326.8, driven by gains in rushing (159.4 yards per game) and a slight increase in passing (167.4 yards per game), as he mentored sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb in his first full starting role.[65] Despite these advancements and standout wins like a 42-24 season opener against McNeese State, the team struggled with defensive woes and injuries, ending 2-10 overall and 0-9 in conference play.[66] Long resigned from Kansas after the 2011 season, alongside the rest of Gill's staff, as the university shifted program direction under incoming head coach Charlie Weis amid the firing of Gill following two losing seasons.[67] His tenure provided a temporary revival for Kansas's offense, introducing more balanced play-calling and quarterback progression in a historically underperforming program, though overall team success remained elusive.

Professional League Positions

After leaving his role as offensive coordinator at the University of Kansas following the 2011 season, Chuck Long entered a coaching hiatus from 2012 to 2019, during which he focused on family matters in Norman, Oklahoma, including supporting his son Zach's high school football career at Norman High School.[67][68] Long returned to coaching in 2020 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL, where he helped develop quarterback Jordan Ta'amu and contributed to the team's 3-2 record before the league suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[69][70][71] In 2023, Long joined the Arlington Renegades as co-offensive coordinator, sharing duties while also coaching quarterbacks, as the team reached the XFL championship game with a 4-6 regular-season record.[69][72] He was promoted to full offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach for the 2024 UFL season, guiding an offense that emphasized quarterback Luis Perez's passing efficiency despite a 3-7 finish.[73][74] Long continued in his role as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Renegades in 2025, solely handling offensive play-calling for the second straight year and focusing on player development in a pro-style system adapted for the UFL's fast-paced format.[75][76] Under his coordination, the Renegades achieved a franchise-best 5-5 regular-season record, highlighted by a strong passing attack led by Perez and a revamped ground game featuring running backs Kalen Ballage and Dae'Dae Hunter, though offensive line struggles resulted in 23 sacks allowed; the team missed the playoffs but showed improvement in close games.[77][73]

Other Activities

Iowa Sports Foundation Leadership

Chuck Long assumed the role of CEO and Executive Director of the Iowa Sports Foundation in September 2014, marking a transition from his coaching career to organizational leadership in amateur sports development.[78] In this capacity, Long oversees key programs such as the Iowa Games, Iowa Senior Games, Adaptive Sports Iowa, and youth-focused initiatives including the Live Healthy Iowa wellness challenge, which encourage physical activity and competition across age groups and abilities.[79][80] His responsibilities encompass strategic planning, event coordination, and promotion of sports, recreation, health, and wellness opportunities for all Iowans, with the organization operating without state or federal funding and relying instead on corporate sponsorships, grants, donations, and participant entry fees.[79] Under Long's leadership since 2014, the foundation has achieved notable growth in participation, recording 66,557 individuals across its programs in the 2023-2024 fiscal year—a continuation of broader expansion from 43,598 participants in 1987-1989 to 2,266,089 in 2010-2019.[81] Representative examples include over 17,000 athletes, coaches, and spectators in the Iowa Games and 1,052 competitors in the Iowa Senior Games, the latter featuring participants up to age 95.[81] Funding initiatives have secured partnerships with prominent sponsors such as Hy-Vee, Wellmark, and Grinnell Mutual, enabling program sustainability and outreach.[81][79] The foundation's community impact under Long includes hosting events in 63 communities across 99 Iowa counties, engaging over 4,200 participants in local Live Healthy Iowa activities and generating nearly 15 million activity minutes statewide to promote lifelong wellbeing and inclusion.[81] This work integrates with Iowa's athletics legacy by fostering statewide sports participation, including adaptive and senior competitions that echo the competitive spirit of university programs like the Hawkeyes.[79] Drawing briefly on his background as a former University of Iowa quarterback, Long has leveraged his football expertise to enhance promotion of these inclusive events.[48]

Broadcasting and Analysis

Following his transition from full-time coaching in 2013—though he has since taken on part-time professional coaching roles—Chuck Long joined the Big Ten Network (BTN) as a game analyst and host of the "#BTN Live" television and radio show, providing commentary on college football broadcasts. He has contributed to BTN coverage since 2012, drawing on his background as a former quarterback and coach to offer detailed insights into game strategies and player performances.[48][82] Long's analysis on BTN frequently focuses on Iowa Hawkeyes games, where he breaks down quarterback mechanics and decision-making, as well as broader Big Ten conference trends such as offensive schemes and defensive matchups.[48] His style emphasizes practical perspectives from his playing days at Iowa and coaching stints at multiple programs, helping viewers understand the nuances of quarterback play and team dynamics without relying on overly technical jargon.[82] In addition to BTN, Long has made guest appearances on various radio shows and podcasts, including hosting "The Chuck Long Podcast" on the Hawkeye Report platform, where he discusses Iowa football games, Big Ten developments, and quarterback evaluations.[83] For instance, in a January 2025 interview, Long commented on Iowa's acquisition of transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State, expressing a cautious optimism about the player's potential fit while highlighting the challenges of adapting to Iowa's system based on past transfer experiences like Cade McNamara's.[84] These media contributions complement his administrative leadership at the Iowa Sports Foundation by extending his influence in promoting Iowa athletics. Long also returned to coaching as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL) during the 2025 season.[75]

Personal Life

Family

Chuck Long has been married to his wife, Lisa, since June 6, 1987; the couple first met as children in elementary school in Wheaton, Illinois.[85][86] The Longs have five children: daughters Lindsay, Samantha, and Maddy, and sons Nathan and Zachary, all of whom are now adults in their late 20s to mid-30s.[28] Several of the children have pursued interests in sports, including Zachary, who played quarterback in high school.[67] The family resides in Altoona, Iowa, where they settled after Long's various coaching moves across the country, including stints in Iowa City, Norman, and San Diego.[11][87] Lisa has provided steadfast support during career transitions, such as the challenging period following Long's departure from San Diego State in 2009, when the family helped him navigate a coaching hiatus.[88] In recent years, Long has emphasized balancing family life with his ongoing professional commitments, including his leadership role at the Iowa Sports Foundation, allowing more time at home in Iowa after decades of relocations.[11]

References

  1. Chuck Long (1999) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation
  2. Contact - Iowa Sports Foundation
  3. Chuck Long (1985) - Davey O'Brien Award
  4. Chuck Long Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
  5. THE LONG STORY: Former Iowa QB, Chuck Long, shares stories ...
  6. Chuck Long (1999) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation
  7. FOOTBALL STAR`S MOTHER LONG ON BLESSINGS
  8. An Evening with Chuck Long | News | bellevueheraldleader.com
  9. What is it About Wheaton Football? - Patch
  10. LONG STILL A FORCE AT WHEATON NORTH – Chicago Tribune
  11. A Great Iowa Hawkeye: Chuck Long - Dear Old Gold
  12. Chuck Long Returns for Hawkeye Homecoming - IOWA Magazine
  13. WHEATON N. COULD GO LONG WAY WITH GRAHAM
  14. Iowa star Chuck Long reflects on career - ESPN
  15. Chuck Long, 3-5-2019, Iowa Football and his New Book-Destined ...
  16. 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference ...
  17. Chuck Long College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits
  18. 1982 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference ...
  19. 1982-1983 Season Summary for Iowa Hawkeyes | Football
  20. IOWA DEFEATS PENN STATE, 42-34 - The New York Times
  21. 1983 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results | College Football at ...
  22. 1984 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference ...
  23. Individual Records - Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics
  24. 9. Iowa - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com
  25. Top 25 passing seasons in Iowa Hawkeyes football history
  26. Chuck Long passed for 461 yards and six touchdowns... - UPI Archives
  27. Long Sets Records As Iowa Triumphs - The New York Times
  28. Bowl Game Summaries - Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics
  29. 30 years later, Chuck Long recalls Iowa's storied 1985 season
  30. Long Achieves Dream of Leading Hawkeyes Back to the Rose Bowl
  31. In 1985 The Iowa Hawkeyes were the #1 team in the country for five ...
  32. Iowa History Daily: February 18 - Legendary Hawkeye Chuck Long
  33. ROSE BOWL; U.C.L.A. WALLOPS IOWA - The New York Times
  34. 1986 Rose Bowl | American Football Database - Fandom
  35. The Robert Maxwell Award
  36. Heisman Voting Records
  37. 1984 Heisman Trophy Voting | College Football at Sports-Reference ...
  38. Big Ten Player of the Year Winners | College Football at Sports ...
  39. Inductee | Charles Franklin Long II 1999
  40. Charles Franklin Long - University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
  41. Rams Are Poised to Acquire Long : Pro football: Former University of ...
  42. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongCh00/gamelog/1990/
  43. 1990 Los Angeles Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees
  44. Chuck Long Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft, Transactions
  45. Chuck Long Career Stats - NFL - ESPN
  46. PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Long Isn't Worried About ...
  47. Chuck Long Gets Cut, Doug Smith Put on Hold : Rams: The decision ...
  48. Chuck Long Joins OU Football Staff - University of Oklahoma
  49. Iowa football: Inside Hayden Fry's final season and the lessons that ...
  50. Chuck Long - CEO/Executive Director at Iowa Sports Foundation
  51. Chuck Long - Iowa Hawkeyes Coach Profile
  52. Chuck Long details Josh Heupel destined to become a coach and ...
  53. Chuck Long Named San Diego State Football Head Coach
  54. Long elevated to OU offensive coordinator - ESPN
  55. OU football Long makes it official, takes San Diego job
  56. Oklahoma receivers coach leaves for NFL - ESPN
  57. San Diego State hires Chuck Long as head coach - Gainesville Sun
  58. 2006 San Diego State Aztecs Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  59. 2007 San Diego State Aztecs Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  60. 2008 San Diego State Aztecs Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  61. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/local/aztecs-coach-fired/1845835/
  62. Former SDSU Coach Long Critiques School's Admission Policy
  63. SAN DIEGO STATE FIRES CHUCK LONG - NBC Sports
  64. Chuck Long loses Heisman 'record,' gains new job - The Gazette
  65. 2010 Kansas Jayhawks Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference ...
  66. 2010 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  67. 2011 Kansas Jayhawks Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  68. 2011 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
  69. Chuck Long hopes to make up for lost time, thanks to Kansas
  70. Ex-KU assistant Chuck Long taking year off
  71. Chuck Long Coaching Record and Bio - Pro Football Archives
  72. BattleHawks hire Chuck Long as new Offensive Coordinator
  73. Three with NFF Ties Part of 2020 XFL Season
  74. 2023 XFL Champions release their inaugural UFL coaching staff
  75. Chuck Long - The UFL
  76. Looking At The Arlington Renegades 2025 Coaching Staff
  77. Renegades Announce 2025 Coaching Staff - The UFL
  78. Renegades Coaching Staff - The UFL
  79. Reviewing The Arlington Renegades 2025 UFL Season
  80. Iowa Sports Foundation hires former Hawkeye Chuck Long
  81. About - Iowa Sports Foundation
  82. Chuck Long, IA Sports Foundation | Rotary Club of Des Moines
  83. [PDF] 2023-2024 Iowa Sports Foundation • Annual Report
  84. Chuck Long likes new role on Big Ten Network - KJAN
  85. The Chuck Long Podcast - On3
  86. Chuck Long taking wait-and-see approach to Iowa's latest QB prize ...
  87. With coaching still in his blood, Chuck Long joins XFL staff in St. Louis
  88. Small world: Lions quarterback Chuck Long of… - Chicago Tribune
  89. In it for the 'Long' haul | | oudaily.com
  90. Chuck Long speaks to Altoona Chamber - The Des Moines Register
  91. A father's love: Kansas offensive coordinator Chuck Long cherishes ...
User Avatar
No comments yet.