Rich Kotite's journey in professional football began as a player before transitioning into coaching. Born on October 13, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Kotite attended Wagner College, where he played as a tight end. His skills on the field led to his selection in the 18th round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. However, it was with the New York Giants that Kotite spent the majority of his playing career, from 1967 to 1972. During his time with the Giants, he was known for his reliable hands and blocking abilities, contributing to the team's offensive efforts.
After retiring as a player, Kotite shifted his focus to coaching. He began his coaching career in the NFL as an assistant coach with the New York Jets in 1977. Over the next decade, he honed his skills in various coaching roles, including serving as an offensive coordinator. His big break came in 1990 when he was appointed as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Under his guidance, the Eagles' offense thrived, and his work did not go unnoticed.
In 1991, Kotite was promoted to head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, succeeding Buddy Ryan. During his tenure, Kotite led the Eagles to two playoff appearances in 1992 and 1993. His coaching style emphasized a strong defensive strategy, which was a hallmark of the Eagles during those years. Despite the team's success in reaching the playoffs, they were unable to advance beyond the divisional round.
Kotite's time with the Eagles came to an end after the 1994 season, when he accepted the head coaching position with the New York Jets. His tenure with the Jets, however, was less successful. The team struggled under his leadership, finishing with a 3-13 record in 1995 and a 1-15 record in 1996. These challenging seasons led to his resignation from the Jets and marked the end of his coaching career in the NFL.
Throughout his career, Rich Kotite experienced the highs and lows of professional football, both as a player and a coach.
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