Ted Tollner
Encyclopedia
Ted Alfred Tollner is a football
coach who has worked as a head coach in college football
and was also formerly the passing game coordinator of the Oakland Raiders
.
, where he was a quarterback
on the 1960
team that suffered a plane crash in Toledo, Ohio
in which 22 people of the 45 people on board were killed, including 16 of Tollner's teammates.
in California in 1963.
from 1968 to 1972. He served as the offensive coordinator for San Diego State
under Claude Gilbert
from 1973 to 1980. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Brigham Young
(BYU) in 1981. At BYU he tutored a raw running quarterback named Steve Young.
He became offensive coordinator of the USC Trojans football
program under head coach John Robinson
in 1982, and succeeded to the head coaching position a year later when Robinson stepped down to take an administrative post at the university (Robinson departed soon afterward to become head coach of the Los Angeles Rams). During his four-year tenure Tollner compiled a 26-20-1 record. He led the Trojans to the Pacific-10
conference championship in 1984
. That team defeated Ohio State
in the 1985 Rose Bowl
game. He was replaced as the USC head coach by Larry Smith after the 1986 season after going 1-3 in the UCLA-USC rivalry
and 0-4 vs. Notre Dame
in the Notre Dame – USC rivalry.
In 1994, he returned to San Diego State, this time as the head coach. He coached there for 8 years. Tollner was known for scheduling a tough non-conference schedule including schools like Washington
, Wisconsin, USC
, Arizona
, Arizona State and Oklahoma
. His Aztec teams posted eight-win seasons in 1995 and 1996, the first time it reached that level in consecutive years since 1977. Overall, he led the Aztecs to a 43-48 record until his firing in 2001.
from 1987 to 1988. He served as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers
from 1989 to 1991. He served as the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams from 1992 to 1993. In 2002, he then became the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers
. After two successful seasons, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004. When Dennis Erickson
was fired as head coach, he was not retained. In 2005, he became the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions
. When Steve Mariucci
and several of his assistants were fired 11 weeks into the season, Tollner was demoted to Tight End Coach for the remainder of the season. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2239336
In late 2006, he was listed as a potential candidate for the head coaching opening for the University of San Diego
that later went to Ron Caragher http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/usd/20061230-9999-1s30usdfb.htmlhttp://usdtoreros.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010907aaa.html.
In late 2007 it was announced that he would serve as offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers
in a late season attempt to revive the lacking offense and is expected to help Jim Hostler
in the play calling.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=702078
In early 2008 Tollner was named quarterbacks coach/assistant to the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers
to get a permanent role in the organization again.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=738070
On December 30, 2008, Tollner was dismissed from the 49ers along with running backs coach Tony Nathan
and offensive coordinator Mike Martz
.
On February 4, 2009, Tollner was introduced as a part of the Oakland Raiders' coaching staff as he was named the passing game coordinator of the team. When Hue Jackson was hired as the Raiders head coach he dismissed Toller and several others from their positions.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach who has worked as a head coach in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and was also formerly the passing game coordinator of the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Playing career
He attended California Polytechnic State UniversityCalifornia Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
, where he was a quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
on the 1960
1960 in sports
1960 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* The men's Olympic Gold Medal:** Downhill: Jean Vuarnet, France** Slalom: Ernst Hinterseer, Austria** Giant Slalom: Roger Staub, Switzerland** The women's Olympic Gold Medal:...
team that suffered a plane crash in Toledo, Ohio
Cal Poly football team plane crash
The Cal Poly football team plane crash occurred on October 29, 1960, at 22:02 EST, when a twin-engine C-46 propliner, registration N1244N, operated as a domestic charter flight by Arctic Pacific, carrying the California Polytechnic State University football team, crashed on takeoff at the Toledo...
in which 22 people of the 45 people on board were killed, including 16 of Tollner's teammates.
High school
He began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator (and later head coach) at Woodside High SchoolWoodside High School (Woodside, California)
Woodside High School is an American public high school located in Woodside on the border with Redwood City, California. It is part of the Sequoia Union High School District. It has scored a perfect ten in California's similar-school rankings in 2009 and 2010....
in California in 1963.
College
He then coached at College of San MateoCollege of San Mateo
College of San Mateo is a community college in San Mateo, California. It is part of the San Mateo County Community College District....
from 1968 to 1972. He served as the offensive coordinator for San Diego State
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
under Claude Gilbert
Claude Gilbert
Claude Gilbert was an American football coach.After serving as assistant to San Diego State coach Don Coryell for six seasons, Gilbert succeeded him as the Aztecs' head coach in 1973. He compiled a 61-26-2 record and won three conference titles, ranking second in Aztec victories and winning...
from 1973 to 1980. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Brigham Young
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU) in 1981. At BYU he tutored a raw running quarterback named Steve Young.
He became offensive coordinator of the USC Trojans football
University of Southern California Trojans football
The USC Trojans football program, established in 1888, represents the University of Southern California in college football. USC is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I FBS and the Pacific-12 Conference . The Trojans have been a football powerhouse throughout NCAA...
program under head coach John Robinson
John Robinson (football coach)
John Alexander Robinson is a former American football player and coach best known for his two stints as head coach of the University of Southern California football team and for his tenure as head coach of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in 1982, and succeeded to the head coaching position a year later when Robinson stepped down to take an administrative post at the university (Robinson departed soon afterward to become head coach of the Los Angeles Rams). During his four-year tenure Tollner compiled a 26-20-1 record. He led the Trojans to the Pacific-10
Pacific Ten Conference
The Pacific-12 Conference is a college athletic conference that operates in the Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I; its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of NCAA Division I football competition...
conference championship in 1984
1984 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Brigham Young University winning their first national championship by beating an unranked Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl...
. That team defeated Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
in the 1985 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
game. He was replaced as the USC head coach by Larry Smith after the 1986 season after going 1-3 in the UCLA-USC rivalry
UCLA-USC rivalry
The UCLA–USC rivalry is the American college rivalry between the UCLA Bruins sports teams of the University of California, Los Angeles and the USC Trojans sports teams of the University of Southern California ....
and 0-4 vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
in the Notre Dame – USC rivalry.
In 1994, he returned to San Diego State, this time as the head coach. He coached there for 8 years. Tollner was known for scheduling a tough non-conference schedule including schools like Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, Wisconsin, USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, Arizona State and Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. His Aztec teams posted eight-win seasons in 1995 and 1996, the first time it reached that level in consecutive years since 1977. Overall, he led the Aztecs to a 43-48 record until his firing in 2001.
Head coaching record
NFL
He served as the wide receivers coach for the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1987 to 1988. He served as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1989 to 1991. He served as the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams from 1992 to 1993. In 2002, he then became the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. After two successful seasons, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004. When Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
was fired as head coach, he was not retained. In 2005, he became the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. When Steve Mariucci
Steve Mariucci
Stephen Ray "Steve" Mariucci is a former National Football League coach. He coached for the San Francisco 49ers and most recently for the Detroit Lions.-Early career:...
and several of his assistants were fired 11 weeks into the season, Tollner was demoted to Tight End Coach for the remainder of the season. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2239336
In late 2006, he was listed as a potential candidate for the head coaching opening for the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
that later went to Ron Caragher http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/usd/20061230-9999-1s30usdfb.htmlhttp://usdtoreros.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010907aaa.html.
In late 2007 it was announced that he would serve as offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in a late season attempt to revive the lacking offense and is expected to help Jim Hostler
Jim Hostler
Jim Hostler is an American football coach. Hostler is currently the wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He was the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, having been named to that position on February 28, 2007, which he held until being fired, on January 2, 2008. He...
in the play calling.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=702078
In early 2008 Tollner was named quarterbacks coach/assistant to the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
to get a permanent role in the organization again.http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=738070
On December 30, 2008, Tollner was dismissed from the 49ers along with running backs coach Tony Nathan
Tony Nathan
Tony Curtis Nathan is an American football coach and former running back.Nathan was a running back from Alabama who was selected in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, with whom he played from 1979-1987...
and offensive coordinator Mike Martz
Mike Martz
Michael Martz is a former NFL head coach and currently the offensive coordinator for the National Football League's Chicago Bears....
.
On February 4, 2009, Tollner was introduced as a part of the Oakland Raiders' coaching staff as he was named the passing game coordinator of the team. When Hue Jackson was hired as the Raiders head coach he dismissed Toller and several others from their positions.