Vermeil: From the Gridiron to the Grapevine

No matter where you are in the country, if you hear the name Dick Vermeil you’ll likely think of football. The legendary coach joined John Canzano on The Bald Faced Truth to discuss his legacy and coaching in the NFL.

When asked about the time in which Vermeil coached, he highlighted the relationships that he was able to create and foster over his entire career at every level that he coached. Vermeil also went on to state that he equally enjoyed coaching at every level.

However, just because he enjoyed coaching, that didn’t mean he didn’t experience burnout. After six years as the head coach of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Vermeil retired from coaching for the first time in 1982. Fifteen years later, he would return to become the head coach of the St. Louis Rams and in 1999 guide the team to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.

As to how he changed as a coach after that long of a layoff, Vermeil outlined his newfound maturity, as well as a decrease in his insecurity and willingness to allow others to participate in the decision-making process. He explained that at one time he was a control freak, but upon his return that was no longer the case.

“I didn’t have to do it all myself,” said Vermeil. “I was a better delegator, which gave me time to be a better leader.”

Still, Vermeil just didn’t start out as an NFL head coach. Before that, Vermeil served as the head coach at UCLA, which made him a perfect authority on college coaches successfully making the transition to the NFL. On the subject, Vermeil surmised that the success of a college coach in the NFL depends on the individual and his leadership qualities, but that the coach also has to really want to make the jump.

Now retired from football for good, Vermeil has focused on another passion: wine. Born in Napa Valley, Vermeil grew up in wine country, and is now producing 5,000 cases of wine a year.

Click on the link below to hear the complete exclusive interview with Dick Vermeil on 750 The Game.