Two-time Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson talks about returning to NFL, UL Monroe football

One of just four individuals to win a Super Bowl as a player and a coach, Doug Pederson returned to Shreveport-Bossier City Tuesday evening to challenge Northwest Louisiana athletes at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Founders Award Banquet.

Earlier in the afternoon, Pederson and his wife, Jeannie, toured facilities at Calvary Baptist Academy where the former UL Monroe quarterback got his start as a coach following his 14-year NFL career.

“The place is still special in my heart because it gave me a chance to get into the coaching ranks right out of the NFL,” Pederson told The Times. “I enjoyed seeing Jerry Barker Stadium and some of the faculty – to see the growth that Calvary has made. It’s pretty special -- the field house they’re building right now will be a great place for them to minister to those boys. Just to see where they are in a small amount of time brought a smile to my face. We were kinda the ground floor getting that thing going.”

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In four seasons as coach of the Cavaliers (2005-08), Pederson was 33-7 with four playoff appearances. He went directly from there to Andy Reid’s staff with Philadelphia. The connection with Reid from his playing days with Green Bay allowed him to make the unusual leap from high school coach to NFL assistant

“It wasn’t just out of the blue jumping back into the NFL, but it was a pretty significant jump,” Pederson said. “I had retired and been out for a few years.”

After being fired by the Eagles in January, Pederson is taking a year off “to recharge my batteries.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a significant break from football,” he said. “But I still have a passion for coaching, and I want to get back into the coaching world again, and hopefully in the NFL. We’ll see what happens with the remainder of the NFL season and see what opens up - and see if anybody is interested.”

The Pedersons have also kept an eye on ULM football as their son, Josh, recently completed his eligibility as a tight end at Pederson’s alma mater. Jeannie is a Ouachita High graduate who played basketball at Louisiana College.

“We came and watched him as often as we could. To see the things going on there with coach (Terry) Bowden, Rich Rodriguez – they’re bringing in some guys to have an impact on that program,” Pederson said. “They needed a little jump start – a shot in the arm – and I think they got it. It’s exciting over there right now. They’re playing well and giving themselves an opportunity to compete in the Sun Belt.”

Pederson said his former offensive coordinators with the Eagles, Frank Wright and Press Taylor, were a couple of people who impacted his life as a professional.

“Frank was always instrumental in my life as a mentor to me from a spiritual perspective. We stay in touch and have a great relationship,” he said. "Press Taylor was a young coach I had my last three years. Those two guys were key from an accountability standpoint.”

During the FCA banquet, Pederson shared moments from his life in Shreveport and in the NFL – his journey.

“I’ll tell them about being committed to having the Lord in their life, and how the FCA impacted my life,” he said. “We’ll talk about accountability and being committed to your craft, your school.”

Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Super Bowl player, coach Doug Pederson talks about returning to NFL