Former Rams Cornerback Hired as Alma Mater's Head Coach

"St. Bonaventure is hiring former Oregon and NFL cornerback Troy Hill as its new head football coach, wrote Curley. "Hill, a 2010 graduate, played for the Seraphs 2008 state championship team."

"This is where it all started for me," said Hill. "St. Bonaventure gave me the discipline, support, and faith to believe in something bigger than myself. I'm excited to give back by helping shape the next generation-not just as athletes, but as young men of character.”

“We're thrilled to welcome him home and look forward to the leadership and inspiration he will bring to our student-athletes,” said Principal Christina Castro.

It's unclear at this time if this marks the end of Hill's professional football career as NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater became the head coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School, leading them to a 12-2 record and a Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title before returning to the NFL as a member of the Detroit Lions, serving as backup to former Rams QB Jared Goff.

Thus, there is a recent precedent of players entering coaching to then play in the same season.

Bridgewater did take snaps for the Lions, completing his only passing attempt before handing the ball off on a trick play that Jameson Williams took for a 61-yard rushing touchdown in the Lions' playoff loss to Washington.

Hill's venture into coaching is another example of players finding ways to contribute to their community while living fulfilling lives after the NFL, something some people who have never played the sport lack the knowledge to understand the difficulty of pulling off.