What do NFL MVP Rich Gannon, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, three Grey Cup championships, and the Chicago Bears have in common? Marc Trestman.

From developing elite quarterbacks to leading championship teams, Marc Trestman has spent five decades building one of football's most extensive coaching résumés.

A former NFL, CFL, and XFL head coach, offensive strategist, author, and leadership educator, Trestman has worked at nearly every level of professional football.

Now, he's sharing that experience with the next generation of football professionals through Sports Management Worldwide's Football Player Development & Strategy course.

Who Is Marc Trestman? Five Decades of Football Experience

Marc Trestman is a former Chicago Bears head coach, three-time Grey Cup champion, and two-time CFL Coach of the Year who spent 25 years coaching in the NFL.

His NFL career includes coaching positions with organizations such as the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami Dolphins.

Throughout his career, Trestman has served as a head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and offensive assistant.

His accomplishments include:

• Chicago Bears Head Coach: Led one of the most productive offenses in franchise history during the 2013 season.

• Three-Time Grey Cup Champion: Won back-to-back championships with the Montreal Alouettes in 2009 and 2010, followed by another with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017.

• Two-Time CFL Coach of the Year: Recognized for his leadership and coaching success in 2009 and 2017.

• Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator: Helped guide the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.

• NFL MVP Quarterback Development: Worked with Rich Gannon during his 2002 NFL MVP season.

• NFL, CFL, XFL, and College Football Experience: Developed a broad understanding of football organizations across multiple leagues and competitive levels.

Few football educators can offer this combination of NFL experience, championship leadership, and firsthand knowledge of how professional football organizations operate.

The Quarterback Developer Behind Some of Football's Biggest Names

Marc Trestman has worked with quarterbacks including Steve Young, Rich Gannon, Jake Plummer, Bernie Kosar, Scott Mitchell, Anthony Calvillo, and Ricky Ray.

His reputation as a quarterback developer comes from decades of studying the position, building offensive systems, and teaching players how to succeed.

One of his most notable achievements came with the Oakland Raiders in 2002.

As offensive coordinator, Trestman helped direct an offense led by quarterback Rich Gannon, who earned NFL MVP honors that season. The Raiders went on to reach Super Bowl XXXVII.

In the CFL, Trestman continued his success with quarterback Anthony Calvillo and the Montreal Alouettes, winning consecutive Grey Cup championships in 2009 and 2010.

He later returned to the CFL and led the Toronto Argonauts to another championship in 2017.

Three Grey Cup championships with two different organizations demonstrate something beyond offensive creativity: the ability to build, lead, and sustain winning football teams.

More Than an Offensive Coach: Leadership, Culture, and Player Development

Marc Trestman's coaching philosophy extends far beyond playbooks, formations, and quarterback mechanics.

His experience has shaped an approach that emphasizes the entire football organization, including how coaches, players, scouts, and front-office personnel work together.

His areas of expertise include:

• Building leadership and organizational culture

• Developing quarterbacks and other position groups

• Designing effective practice structures and tempo

• Teaching, communication, and staff development

• Managing players, coaches, and personalities

• Preparing offense, defense, and special teams

• Building standards, accountability, and team chemistry

• Understanding the relationship between head coaches and general managers

• Game preparation and the offensive "First 15" concept

For aspiring coaches, these lessons provide insight into the daily responsibilities of leading a football team.

For scouts, general managers, player personnel executives, and football operations professionals, they offer something equally valuable: an understanding of how a head coach evaluates, develops, and leads an organization.

From NFL Sidelines to the Classroom: Marc Trestman as an Educator and Author

Marc Trestman brings the same commitment to teaching and leadership development to the classroom that has defined his coaching career.

He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and has served as an adjunct professor at the university's law school, teaching leadership principles drawn from professional sports and organizational management.

Trestman is also an accomplished author.

His book, Perseverance: Life Lessons on Leadership and Teamwork, explores lessons learned throughout his coaching career, including resilience, preparation, communication, and leading others.

His newer book, Teaching the Game, provides a framework for coaches and football professionals seeking to better understand the science of football, teaching methods, and organizational preparation.

The book examines how football professionals can approach their responsibilities throughout the year, from offseason planning and training camp to weekly game preparation.

Together, his books and teaching experience reflect an important part of Trestman's career that extends beyond wins and championships.

He isn't just a football coach. He's a teacher of the game and the people who make it successful.

Learn Directly From Marc Trestman Through SMWW

Sports Management Worldwide gives aspiring football professionals the opportunity to learn directly from Marc Trestman through its eight-week online Football Player Development & Strategy course.

Students explore how an experienced NFL head coach thinks about developing players, managing coaches, preparing for games, and building a successful football organization.

Through interactive learning sessions with Marc, students can gain insight into:

• Quarterback development and offensive strategy

• Building a winning culture and coaching philosophy

• Player evaluation and development

• Practice organization and game preparation

• Leadership, communication, and accountability

• The relationship between coaching staffs and football personnel departments

The course is valuable not only for aspiring coaches, but also for scouts, player personnel professionals, analysts, general managers, and others interested in football operations.

Marc Trestman has spent decades coaching elite quarterbacks, developing football players, and leading championship organizations. Now, SMWW students have the opportunity to learn directly from him.

Learn From Marc Trestman

For anyone serious about building a career in football, learning from someone with Marc Trestman's experience offers a perspective that goes far beyond textbooks and game film.

Former NFL Head Coach. Three-Time Grey Cup Champion. Two-Time CFL Coach of the Year. Quarterback Developer. Author. Leadership Educator.

The book gives you Marc Trestman's framework. The course gives you Marc Trestman.

Explore SMWW's Football Player Development & Strategy Course With Marc Trestman

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Marc Trestman?

Marc Trestman is a former Chicago Bears head coach, three-time Grey Cup champion, two-time CFL Coach of the Year, and football leadership educator. His coaching career includes 25 years in the NFL and experience across the CFL, XFL, and college football.

Which quarterbacks has Marc Trestman coached?

Marc Trestman has worked with quarterbacks including Steve Young, Rich Gannon, Jake Plummer, Bernie Kosar, Scott Mitchell, Anthony Calvillo, and Ricky Ray. He helped Rich Gannon during his 2002 NFL MVP season.

How many Grey Cup championships has Marc Trestman won?

Marc Trestman won three Grey Cup championships as a head coach, including two with the Montreal Alouettes and one with the Toronto Argonauts.

What books has Marc Trestman written?

Marc Trestman's books include Perseverance: Life Lessons on Leadership and Teamwork and Teaching the Game. Both explore principles relevant to football coaching, leadership, and organizational development.

Does Marc Trestman teach a football coaching course?

Yes. Marc Trestman teaches Sports Management Worldwide's Football Player Development & Strategy course. The eight-week online program covers football leadership, quarterback development, coaching strategy, player development, and organizational culture.