Chuck Long
Charles Long (born February 18, 1963) is an American former professional football quarterback, coach, and sports executive, best known for his record-setting college career at the University of Iowa and his leadership role in promoting amateur sports in the state.[1][2] Long grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, after being born in Norman, Oklahoma, and attended Wheaton North High School, where he began developing as a quarterback.[1] At Iowa from 1981 to 1985, he started for four seasons, leading the Hawkeyes to a 35-13-1 record and appearances in five bowl games, a school record at the time.[3][1] In 1984, he set a national record with 22 consecutive completions against Indiana and led the nation in pass completion percentage at 66.1%.[1] His senior year in 1985 was particularly dominant, as he threw for 3,297 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning consensus All-American honors, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, and a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting to Auburn's Bo Jackson by 45 points, the closest margin in the award's history at the time.[3][1] Over his college career, Long amassed 10,461 passing yards and 74 touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in Big Ten history to surpass 10,000 yards, and he was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year for 1985-86.[1] For his contributions, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.[1] Selected 12th overall in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Long played five seasons in the league, primarily as a backup with the Lions (1986-1989, 1991) and Los Angeles Rams (1990).[4] He appeared in 27 games, completing 331 of 607 passes for 3,747 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions, with his most extensive starting role coming in 1987 when he threw for 2,598 yards but led the NFL with 20 interceptions.[4] Long retired as a player after the 1991 season, finishing with a 4-17 record as a starter.[4] Transitioning to coaching, Long spent nearly two decades in the profession, beginning as an assistant at Iowa before serving as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, where he contributed to the Sooners' 2000 national championship team.[5] He later held a head coaching position at San Diego State (2006-2008), compiling a 9-27 record, and worked as an assistant at Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Long left college coaching in 2011 but returned to the profession in professional leagues, serving as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL, 2020) and the Arlington Renegades (UFL, 2023–2024). In 2013, he became CEO and executive director of the Iowa Sports Foundation, a role he continues to hold, overseeing programs like the Iowa Games, Senior Games, and Adaptive Sports Iowa that impact around 200,000 participants annually in sports, recreation, health, and wellness initiatives.[2][5] Additionally, he has served as a college football analyst for the Big Ten Network and co-authored the 2017 memoir Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and the Resurgence of Hawkeye Football.[5]Early Life
Upbringing
Charles Franklin Long Jr. was born on February 18, 1963, in Norman, Oklahoma, where his parents, both alumni of the University of Oklahoma, were living at the time.[6][5] His father, Charles Long Sr., secured a job in the Chicago area, prompting the family to relocate when Chuck was four years old, settling in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb known for its strong community sports programs.[7] Growing up in Wheaton, Long developed an early interest in football through informal play on neighborhood playgrounds and participation in local youth leagues, which fostered his passion for the sport from a young age.[8] These experiences laid the groundwork for his athletic development, influenced by the area's emphasis on youth athletics starting as early as fourth grade.[9] His non-athletic interests included a focus on education, reflecting the values instilled by his family, though he balanced these with emerging athletic pursuits.High School Career
Chuck Long attended Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Illinois, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, and baseball.[10] As the starting quarterback for the Falcons, Long led the team to the Illinois Class 4A state football championship in 1979 during his junior season, culminating in a 14-6 victory over LaSalle-Peru in the title game.[11][12] In that championship contest, he completed just 1 of 4 pass attempts for negative 3 yards, reflecting Wheaton North's emphasis on a dominant running game and stout defense rather than aerial attacks.[5] The following year, as a senior in 1980, Long guided the Falcons back to the IHSA playoffs, maintaining the team's ground-oriented strategy that limited his passing opportunities to roughly three or four attempts per game.[11][5] Long's high school performance drew limited college recruitment attention, as major programs overlooked him due to the scarcity of passing statistics in Wheaton North's offense, which focused regionally on Midwest talent.[13][14] Ultimately, he selected the University of Iowa over offers from smaller programs, committing after an official visit where offensive coordinator Bill Snyder and head coach Hayden Fry extended a full scholarship recognizing his potential beyond the stat sheet.[11][5]College Career
1981–1983 Seasons
Chuck Long arrived at the University of Iowa in 1981 as a highly touted quarterback recruit and was redshirted that season to preserve his eligibility, though he did make a brief appearance in the Hawkeyes' Rose Bowl game against Washington, entering for two plays late in the 28-0 loss without recording any statistics beyond minimal carries.[6] Under head coach Hayden Fry, who had revitalized the program since taking over in 1979, Iowa finished the 1981 regular season with an 8-3 record, marking their first bowl appearance since 1965 and signaling the start of building momentum in the Big Ten Conference.[15] In 1982, Long earned the starting role as a redshirt freshman and led the Hawkeyes to an 8-4 overall record (6-2 in conference), including a come-from-behind 28-22 victory over Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. He completed 129 of 201 passes for 1,374 yards and 8 touchdowns, achieving a 64.2% completion rate that set an Iowa single-season record at the time.[16][17] This performance helped Iowa win eight of their final ten games after a 1-2 start, finishing third in the Big Ten and demonstrating Long's growing command of Fry's pro-style offense, which emphasized precise passing and team balance.[18] Long's sophomore year in 1983 further solidified his role, as he threw for 2,434 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 144 of 236 attempts at a 61.0% rate, contributing to Iowa's 9-2 regular-season record and No. 10 national ranking. A standout moment came on September 17 against Penn State, where Long set an Iowa single-game passing record with 345 yards on 16-of-30 completions, including two touchdown passes, in a 42-34 upset win over the defending national champions that handed them an 0-3 start.[16][19] The Hawkeyes capped the year with a Gator Bowl berth but fell 14-6 to Florida, ending 9-3 overall; Long's early contributions under Fry continued to foster team momentum, transforming Iowa into a consistent bowl contender.[20]1984 Season
In 1984, Chuck Long experienced a breakout junior season as the starting quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading the team to an 8–4–1 record under head coach Hayden Fry. Building on his experience from the previous three seasons, Long's performance marked a significant step forward in the program's offensive development, emphasizing a more dynamic passing attack that evolved from Fry's balanced scheme into one of the nation's most efficient aerial units.[21][22] Long set an NCAA record by completing 22 consecutive passes in a single game against Indiana on October 27, showcasing his precision and command of the offense. For the season, he threw for 2,871 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, with notable improvements in completion percentage reaching 66.1%, which led all Division I quarterbacks and the Big Ten Conference. These statistics highlighted Long's growth as a pocket passer, contributing to Iowa's offensive evolution by stretching defenses and complementing the team's strong rushing attack led by Ronnie Harmon.[1][23][24] The season culminated in the inaugural Freedom Bowl on December 26, where Long earned MVP honors in a 55–17 victory over Texas. Despite steady rain, he completed 29 of 39 passes for 461 yards and a bowl-record six touchdowns, setting NCAA postseason marks and powering Iowa's dominant offensive display. This performance not only capped Long's junior year but also underscored his pivotal role in Fry's strategy to elevate the Hawkeyes' passing game to national prominence.[25][26][27]1985 Season
In his senior season, Chuck Long capped his development as Iowa's quarterback by guiding the Hawkeyes to a 10–2 overall record, including an undefeated 7–0 mark in Big Ten play that clinched the conference title and earned Iowa its first Rose Bowl berth since 1981.[28][29] The team ascended to No. 1 in the national polls for five weeks early in the season, reflecting Long's leadership in a high-powered offense that emphasized his precise passing.[30] Over his four-year Iowa career, Long amassed 10,461 passing yards and 74 touchdown passes, both of which set school records that stood for decades.[22][31] In the 1986 Rose Bowl against UCLA, Long completed 29 of 37 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown, though Iowa fell 45–28 amid four turnovers by the offense.[27][32] His performance that year also positioned him as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, finishing second in the voting behind Auburn's Bo Jackson.[11] Long's college tenure featured appearances in five bowl games—Rose (1981 and 1985), Peach (1982), Gator (1983), and Freedom (1984)—a mark that was an NCAA record at the time.[33]Awards and Honors
Collegiate Accolades
During his senior year at the University of Iowa in 1985, Chuck Long earned the Maxwell Award, recognizing him as the nation's top college football player.[34] This honor highlighted his leadership in guiding the Hawkeyes to a 10-1 regular season record and a Big Ten Conference championship.[34] That same year, Long also received the Davey O'Brien Award, presented to the outstanding quarterback in NCAA Division I football.[3] Long's exceptional performance in 1985 culminated in his selection as a unanimous consensus All-American, a distinction earned through first-team honors on all major All-America squads.[6] In Heisman Trophy voting that season, he finished second overall with 1,464 points, just 45 behind winner Bo Jackson of Auburn in the closest margin in the award's history at the time.[35] As a junior in 1984, Long placed seventh in Heisman voting, accumulating 37 points.[36] In conference play, Long was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1985.[37] He was also named the Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year in 1986.[38] Additionally, he was recognized as Offensive MVP in two bowl games: the 1982 Peach Bowl, where Iowa defeated Tennessee, and the 1984 Freedom Bowl victory over Texas.[6] These accolades underscored Long's pivotal role in Iowa's offensive success during his collegiate career.[6]Hall of Fame Induction
Chuck Long was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 as a player for the University of Iowa, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a quarterback from 1981 to 1985.[39][1] His induction was based on a combination of national records, prestigious awards, and significant impact on the Iowa football program. Long amassed NCAA regular-season career totals of 9,210 passing yards, 692 completions, and 64 touchdowns, and including bowls, 10,461 yards, 782 completions, and 74 touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in history to surpass 10,000 career passing yards, while also earning consensus All-American honors, the Maxwell Award as national player of the year, the Davey O'Brien Award, and a runner-up finish in the 1985 Heisman Trophy voting.[1][3] These achievements, coupled with leading Iowa to five bowl games—including the 1986 Rose Bowl—elevated the Hawkeyes' profile under coach Hayden Fry, bringing national attention to the program and establishing Long as a pivotal figure in its resurgence.[11][1] In addition to the national honor, Long received Iowa-specific recognition through his 1997 induction into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring his role in the team's successes during the 1980s.[40] He was later enshrined in the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, further affirming his lasting legacy with the Hawkeyes.[3]Professional Career
Detroit Lions Tenure
Chuck Long was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa.[4] In his rookie season of 1986, Long saw limited action behind starter Joe Ferguson, appearing in three games with two starts and completing 21 of 40 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while adjusting to the professional game's speed and complexity.[4] Long's most extensive playing time came in 1987, when he started all 12 games amid quarterback instability, passing for 2,598 yards with 11 touchdowns and a league-high 20 interceptions for a 63.4 passer rating.[4] Injuries restricted him to seven starts in 1988, where he threw for 856 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, achieving a 68.2 passer rating; he appeared in just one game without starting in 1989.[4] Over four seasons with the Lions from 1986 to 1989, Long started 21 of 23 games, completing 330 of 602 attempts (54.8%) for 3,743 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions, yielding a 65.4 passer rating; the team posted losing records each year (5-11 in 1986, 4-11 in 1987, 4-12 in 1988, and 7-9 in 1989) and did not qualify for the playoffs during his tenure.[4] Following the 1989 season, Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on May 2, 1990.[41]Los Angeles Rams Appearance
Chuck Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams from the Detroit Lions on May 2, 1990, in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, serving as a veteran backup quarterback behind starter Jim Everett.[42][41] During the 1990 regular season, his only year of regular-season action with the Rams, Long appeared in four games without starting, completing 1 of 5 pass attempts for 4 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.[4] The Rams finished the season with a 5-11 record amid offensive inconsistencies, averaging 21.6 points per game but struggling with consistency in the NFC West.[43] In 1991, Long remained with the Rams through training camp and preseason, where he started an exhibition game against the Atlanta Falcons on August 3, his first NFL start in over two and a half years.[44] However, he saw no regular-season playing time that year and was released by the team on August 27 as part of final roster cuts, amid competition from other quarterbacks like Jim Everett and Blair Kiecker.[45] Following his release from the Rams, Long signed with the Detroit Lions on November 1, 1991, but did not appear in any games, effectively concluding his playing career. He retired at age 28 after the 1991 season, citing persistent limited opportunities as a backup and the physical toll of the league. Over his six-year NFL tenure, Long accumulated 3,747 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, and a 64.5 passer rating across 27 games.[4] Reflecting on his professional career, Long noted the stark contrast to his stellar college performance at Iowa, stating, "I never rediscovered anything close to my college magic in the NFL—those were rough years," highlighting how high expectations from his record-setting collegiate tenure were unmet in the pros due to inconsistent roles and team dynamics.[5]Coaching Career
Assistant Roles at Iowa and Oklahoma
After retiring from professional football, Chuck Long returned to his alma mater, the University of Iowa, in 1995 as defensive backs coach, a position he held through the 1997 season. Under his tutelage, Iowa's defensive secondary performed among the top units in the Big Ten Conference over those three years, contributing to the Hawkeyes' defensive stability during a period that included an 8-4 record and a Sun Bowl appearance in 1995.[46] In 1998, Long shifted to the offensive staff as quarterbacks coach—the first such dedicated role in head coach Hayden Fry's 20-year tenure at Iowa—a responsibility he maintained through the 1999 season under new head coach Kirk Ferentz. During this time, he focused on quarterback development, working with players such as Scott Mullen and Randy Reiners amid challenging team transitions, including a 3-9 finish in 1998 followed by an 8-4 campaign and Alamo Bowl berth in 1999.[47][48][49] Long departed Iowa after the 1999 season to join the University of Oklahoma as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2000. There, he contributed to the Sooners' offensive success by developing quarterback Josh Heupel, who threw for 3,163 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to a 13-0 record and the program's first BCS National Championship since 1956.[50][51] He remained Oklahoma's quarterbacks coach in 2001, mentoring Nate Hybl, who stepped in as starter following an injury to the previous signal-caller and led the team to an 11-2 record, a Big 12 title, and a Cotton Bowl victory. In 2002, Long was promoted to offensive coordinator while retaining his quarterbacks coaching duties, a role he held through the 2005 season; under his schemes, the Sooners amassed a 43-9 record, secured two more Big 12 championships (2002 and 2004), and featured high-powered offenses that supported Heisman Trophy winner Jason White in 2003.[51][52] Long left Oklahoma following the 2005 season, during which the Sooners finished 8-4, as part of broader staff realignments that included the hiring of a new offensive coordinator.[51][53]Head Coach at San Diego State
Chuck Long was hired as the head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs in December 2005, following his tenure as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, where he had contributed to successful seasons under Bob Stoops.[54] His appointment was seen as a move to revitalize the program with his offensive expertise from both playing and coaching backgrounds.[55] During his three seasons from 2006 to 2008, Long compiled an overall record of 9–27, with a 7–17 mark in Mountain West Conference play, resulting in a .250 winning percentage. The 2006 season ended at 3–9 overall (3–5 MWC), marked by a struggling offense averaging just 14.2 points per game and a defense allowing 27.1 points per game. In 2007, the team improved slightly to 4–8 (3–5 MWC), with offensive output rising to 25.1 points per game, though defensive woes intensified, conceding 34.4 points per game on average. The 2008 campaign was the worst, finishing 2–10 (1–7 MWC), as the offense dipped to 19.2 points per game and the defense permitted a league-high 37.2 points per game.[56][57][58] Long's tenure saw some offensive progress in 2007, but persistent defensive deficiencies and overall win-loss struggles hindered success. Recruiting challenges were exacerbated by San Diego State's stringent academic admission standards, which Long later criticized as limiting talent acquisition compared to peer programs. These issues culminated in his firing on November 23, 2008, following a 1–10 start to the season, despite a final win against Colorado State that brought the Aztecs to 2–10. The university raised over $1 million from donors to cover the buyout of his remaining contract.[59][60][61]| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | San Diego State | 3–9 | 3–5 | T–6th (MWC) | PF: 170, PA: 325 |
| 2007 | San Diego State | 4–8 | 3–5 | 5th (MWC) | PF: 301, PA: 413 |
| 2008 | San Diego State | 2–10 | 1–7 | 9th (MWC) | PF: 231, PA: 446 |
| Total | 9–27 | 7–17 | .250 |