Brian Billick Biography

(American Football Coach)

Birthday: February 28, 1954 (Pisces)

Born In: Fairborn, Ohio, United States

Brian Billick is an American football coach and commentator who is best known for leading Baltimore Ravens to its first ‘Super Bowl XXXV’ victory. Before joining the Ravens, he enjoyed a successful tenure with Minnesota Vikings as its offensive coordinator. Still earlier, he worked as a tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the teams of different universities. He retired from coaching after he was fired from the Ravens, however he harboured no ill feelings and continued to maintain good relations with the new coach and the team management. After coaching, he began his broadcasting career and worked as an analyst for the Fox Sports and the NFL Network. Aside from working as a coach, Billick has also written few books and engaged in public speaking. He works as an analyst on ‘NFL Total Access’ and ‘NFL Now’.
0
Quick Facts

Also Known As: Brian Harold Billick

Age: 70 Years, 70 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Leslie Kim McDonald (1980)

children: Aubrey Billick, Keegan Billick

Born Country: United States

Coaches American Men

Height: 6'5" (196 cm), 6'5" Males

U.S. State: Ohio

More Facts

education: Redlands High School, United States Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University

Childhood & Early Life
Brian Harold Billick was born to 28 February 1954 in Fairborn, Ohio, USA. His father was a retired Air Force test pilot.
He went to Redland High School in Redland, California and played both basketball and football, though it was latter that he was passionate about. He was also an enthusiastic athlete.
In football, he played both quarterback and cornerback and has to his credit 21 career interceptions, a state record.
He joined United States Air Force Academy, but left soon once he realized that he could never become a fighter pilot because of his height (he is 6 feet 5 inches).
After leaving United States Air Force Academy, he joined Brigham Young University and became a tight end player.
In 1977 NFL Draft, Billick was picked by the San Francisco 49ers but was later released. The same year, he was released by the Dallas Cowboys too.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In 1977, Brian Billick participated in a television panel game show, ‘Match Game PM’ but suffered a defeat from Marla Marshall.
Back in Redland, California, he started his coaching career by becoming a volunteer wide receivers coach for the University of Redlands football team (NAIA). He worked under Frank Serrao. Simultaneously, he also began working as an assistant coach at Redland High School.
In 1978, he briefly became graduate assistant at Brigham Young University. He worked there for a single season.
For a couple of years, between 1979 and 1980, he left coaching and worked as the assistant director, Public Relations of San Francisco 49ers.
He assumed the position of tight ends coach at the San Diego State University and also served as their recruiting coordinator from 1981 to 1985.
In 1986, he was recruited by Utah State University as offensive coordinator. His work here, for three seasons, greatly helped to improve the team.
In 1989, Dennis Green chose him to be the assistant head coach and tight ends coach of Stanford University team. He served in both capacities till 1991.
Under head coach Dennis Green again, he became assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings. During this time (1992-1998), the team set numerous offensive records and also registered the highest points in a season. Back then, the points (556) were a NFL record for maximum points in a season (1998); however, later, new records were set by other teams.
In 1999, Brian Billick became the head coach of Baltimore Ravens. During his tenure for nine seasons, he was extremely successful and had an 85-67 record including 5-3 in the play off.
Continue Reading Below
He guided the team to its first ever non losing record (8-8) in the first season itself.
The second season, in the year 2000, saw another high point in the Ravens’ history when they bagged their first ‘Super Bowl XXXV Championship’ defeating New York Giants 34-7.
The later seasons were marked by both highs and lows. Baltimore Ravens performed well in the regular seasons of 2001, 2003 and 2006. While the performance of the Ravens (10-6) in 2003 earned them their first divisional title, in 2006, it additionally got them the best record of the franchise (13-3) and the first playoff bye in the history of the team. However, in all three years, they were defeated in post season tournament by their opponents (Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts).
In 2007, owing to a lack lustre performance, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti relieved Billick off his responsibilities. Billick, however, was not bitter about his firing and suggested the name of John Harbaugh as his replacement. Harbaugh, eventually, succeeded him in the role as head coach of Baltimore Ravens and the two men have shared a close friendship since then.
After his coaching career came to an end, Billick chose to work as a draft analyst for NFL Network during the 2008 NFL Draft.
He followed this up by taking up the job of game analyst for the ‘NFL on Fox’. He appeared during the 2008 and 2009 NFL season and in both seasons, he was accompanied by the sports caster, Thom Brennaman. Brian Billick quit working for Fox Sports after 2013.
He further appeared in ‘The Coaches Show’, ‘Playbook’ and ESPN’s talk show ‘Mike and Mike in the Morning’. He appeared several times in the last show to speak about football matches and the latest happenings in the sport.&In the NFL Network’s show ‘NFL Total Access’ and ‘NFL Now’, Billick serves as an analyst.
Achievements
Brian Billick coached numerous football teams, but he worked as a head coach for only one of them – Baltimore Ravens. He was the second coach of Ravens and spent nine seasons with the team. He brought about a change in the culture of the team which did not have a winning season before Billick stepped in as a head coach. He led the team to three division championship wins and four playoffs.
His best achievement for the team, though, was its first Super Bowl victory in 2000. His work with the team has earned him a place in the Ravens ‘Ring of Honor’. Also, six of the assistant coaches who worked under him went on to become NFL head coaches of five different franchises.
Continue Reading Below
Other Works
Apart from coaching and broadcasting, he has also worked as an author and public speaker.
As an author, he published three books. The first of these, ‘Finding the Winning Edge’ was co-written by him, Bill Walsh and James Peterson and released in 1997.
His second book, ‘Competitive Leadership: Twelve Principles for Success’ was written in collaboration with Dr. James A. Peterson and came out in 2001.
His latest book, ‘More Than a Game: the Glorious Present and Uncertain Future of the NFL’ was written in association with Michael MacCambridge and came out in 2012.
Billick has also worked for the betterment of the Baltimore community. He has been associated with the ‘Central Maryland United Way’, ‘National Breast Cancer Foundation’, ‘American Lung Association’s Breath of Life Celebration’ and ‘Living Classroom Foundation’. He is on the board of trustee in the ‘Living Classroom Foundation’.
Awards & Honours
In 1998, he was presented ‘PFWA NFL Assistant Coach of the Year’ award by Pro Football Writers of America.
In 2019, he was inducted into ‘The Ravens Ring of Honor’. He joins Art Modell, the late owner of Baltimore Ravens in becoming only the second non player to be given the honour.
Family & Personal Life
Brian Billick married Leslie Kim McDonald on 9th February, 1980 and has two daughters – Keegan Billick and Aubrey Billick.
He lives with his family in his Wye riverfront home in Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Follow Brian Billick On:

See the events in life of Brian Billick in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Brian Billick Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/brian-billick-49145.php

People Also Viewed

Kyle Shanahan Biography
Kyle Shanahan
(American)
 
Doc Rivers Biography
Doc Rivers
(American)
 
Eric Bieniemy Biography
Eric Bieniemy
(American)
 
Matt Patricia Biography
Matt Patricia
(American)
 
Steve Kerr Biography
Steve Kerr
(American)
 
Erik Spoelstra Biography
Erik Spoelstra
(American)
 
Bill Cowher Biography
Bill Cowher
(American)
 
Tony Dungy Biography
Tony Dungy
(American)