Heimerdinger worked for a decade and a half as a college assistant before joining the Denver Broncos in 1995 as the wide receivers coach.

He's been a college assistant and he did a great job with the Knicks.

After several years as a college assistant, Widenhofer was hired to coach linebackers for the Steelers in 1973.

Phillips, 51, jumped into coaching in 1969 as a college assistant.

Before entering the NFL, Slowik served as a college assistant for 14 seasons.

"I remember thinking two things," said Rex Ryan, 44, who was a college assistant watching on television at the time.

After his playing career ended in 1986, Edwards spent three years as a college assistant before joining the Chiefs as a scout in 1990.

Carlesimo skipped the normal path of being a high school coach and then a college assistant.

The head-coaching job is the first for Evans, who has been a college assistant for 21 seasons.

He was a high school coach beginning in 1961, then a college assistant and a junior college head coach.