Jeff Fisher is a former American football player and coach who had a long and successful career in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC) and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1981. Fisher played for the Bears for five seasons before finishing his playing career with the Houston Oilers in 1985.
After retiring as a player, Fisher began his coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Oilers in 1985. He quickly rose through the ranks and was named the team's defensive coordinator in 1988. Fisher helped lead the Oilers to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons as defensive coordinator, including two trips to the AFC Championship Game.
In 1994, Fisher was named the head coach of the Oilers. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season as head coach, but the team struggled in the following years. In 1997, the Oilers moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. Fisher helped turn the franchise around, leading the team to the playoffs in four of his first five seasons as head coach. In 1999, the Titans made it to the Super Bowl, but lost to the St. Louis Rams in a thrilling game that came down to the final play.
Fisher continued to coach the Titans for 16 seasons, becoming the longest-tenured coach in franchise history. He led the team to six playoff appearances and three division titles during his tenure. Fisher was known for his tough, physical teams that played hard-nosed football and were always in contention.
After leaving the Titans in 2010, Fisher took a year off from coaching before being hired by the St. Louis Rams in 2012. He coached the Rams for four seasons, but was unable to lead the team to the playoffs. Fisher was fired by the Rams in 2016, ending his coaching career with a record of 173-165-1.
Throughout his career, Fisher was known for his leadership, toughness, and dedication to the game of football. He was respected by his players and peers alike, and was considered one of the best coaches of his era. Fisher's legacy in the NFL will be remembered for his ability to build strong, competitive teams that were always in the hunt for a championship.
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