Chuck Long Hometown: Wheaton, Ill. Position: Head Coach Experience: Third Season Alma Mater: Iowa, 1985

Chuck Long's road to San Diego State has been paved by success. In 25 years as both a player and coach on the collegiate and professional levels, he has built a resume that most can only dream of.

As a collegian at Iowa, he was the runner-up for the 1985 Heisman Trophy, throwing for over 10,000 career yards, winning the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Awards and leading his team to a Big Ten title and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. As a professional in the NFL, he was a first-round draft pick and spent eight seasons with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.

As a coach, he won a national championship, logged five top-six finishes and made nine appearances in bowl games in 11 seasons as a collegiate assistant.

Long added to that already impressive list in December 2005 when he was named the 16th head coach in San Diego State football history and charged with returning the program to the national spotlight.

But if anyone is up for the task, it's Chuck Long, for whom success has become second nature.

Coaching Experience
-Hired as the 16th head football coach in San Diego State history on December 17, 2005.

-Has a national championship ring, five top-six finishes in the national polls and nine appearances in bowl games as products of an impressive 11 seasons as a collegiate assistant coach.

-Worked on the staffs of College Football Hall of Fame member Hayden Fry and national coach of the year Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, as well as two-time national coach of the year Bob Stoops at Oklahoma.

-Coached four Aztecs selected in this past year's NFL Draft, the program's most picks since the 1997 season and three more than any other Mountain West Conference school in 2008.

-Spent six seasons at Oklahoma, with the final four as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Was an integral part of the Sooners' success, helping guide Oklahoma to a 67-11 record since 2000 and berths in six consecutive bowl games.

Since he arrived in Norman in December of 1999, the Sooners won a national title (2000), three Big 12 championships (2000, 2002, 2004) and four Big 12 South Division titles (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004).

-Coached three Oklahoma players who finished in the top three of the Heisman balloting, including 2003 Heisman recipient quarterback Jason White.

-At Oklahoma, had eight offensive players who earned All-America accolades and 17 players who earned first-team all-conference honors.

-As a member of the Sooner staff, his players won a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Memorial Award (college player of the year), Walter Camp Trophy (college player of the year), two Davey O'Brien Awards (outstanding quarterback), Outland Trophy (outstanding interior lineman), Unitas Award (outstanding senior quarterback), two Associated Press Player of the Year awards, two The Sporting News Player of the Year honors and a CBS Player of the Year accolade.

-Coached four NFL first-round draft picks, including three at Oklahoma and one at Iowa.

-Played a major role in the Sooners' and Hawkeyes' recruiting efforts, including the state of California.

-In 2005, helped the Sooners to a Holiday Bowl appearance and victories in five of their final six regular-season contests. Guided quarterback Rhett Bomar to freshman All-America honors, posting OU freshman bests for completions (167), passing attempts (308), completion percentage (54.2 percent) and touchdown passes (10).

-A 2004 finalist for the Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach. Oklahoma completed an undefeated regular season and played for the national championship.

-The 2004 Oklahoma offense produced the first player tandem in NCAA history to post 35 touchdowns passing and 1,800 yards rushing (Jason White and Adrian Peterson).

-As Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, the Sooners set a Big 12 Conference record by averaging 51.5 points per game and ranked third nationally in scoring offense in 2003.

-Oklahoma posted back-to-back 12-2 campaigns in 2002 and 2003, highlighted by Jason White's Heisman Trophy and a 34-14 victory over Washington State in the 2003 Rose Bowl.

-In 2001, Sooner quarterbacks completed more than 60 percent of their passes for the third straight season (all under Long) and the passing offense ranked second in the Big 12 Conference for the second consecutive year.

-Hired in December of 1999, as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Bob Stoops' staff at Oklahoma.

-Joined the Sooner staff in time for the 1999 Independence Bowl, and a year later, helped direct Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship with a perfect 13-0 record.

-Long coached All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up QB Josh Heupel in 2000, the same year OU led the nation in completion percentage (64.2 percent).

-Coaching career began at his alma mater, when he was hired by his former college coach Hayden Fry as a secondary and special teams coach in 1995.

-Iowa led the nation in interceptions returned for touchdowns (four) in 1995, while the 1997 squad led the Big Ten in interceptions (22).

-Switched to the offensive side of the ball in 1998, becoming the first quarterbacks coach in Fry's 20-year tenure at Iowa.

-The Hawkeyes advanced to bowl games in each of his first three campaigns and were ranked in the final top 25 poll in both 1995 and 1996.

-Remained on the Hawkeye staff as quarterbacks and special teams coach through the transition from Fry to Kirk Ferentz in 1999.

Playing Experience
-Starting quarterback on the 1979 Wheaton North High School team that claimed a state title. Garnered all-state honors in 1980 and was named to the all-state championship squad in 1979.

-Three-sport standout at Wheaton North in football, basketball and baseball.

- A four-year starter and consensus All-America quarterback at the University of Iowa from 1981-85.

- Guided Iowa to bowl games in each of his seasons as a starter, including a Rose Bowl berth in 1986.

-Led the Hawkeyes to the 1985 Big Ten championship and was a member of the 1981 conference-winning squad.

- Became the first player in Big Ten history to surpass 10,000 yards passing and still holds Hawkeye career records for passing yards (10,461), touchdowns (74) and completion percentage (65.0).

- As a senior in 1985, led Iowa to a No. 1 national ranking and in so doing, earned the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Awards. Was the Big Ten Male Athlete and football player of the year.

-Runner-up to Auburn's Bo Jackson for the Heisman Trophy in the closest finish in the history of the award in 1985.

- Inducted into the Iowa Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 1999.

- Taken with the 12th pick of the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. One of Iowa's three first-round selections.

- Played professionally for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams from 1986 through 1994, logging eight seasons in the NFL.

Education
-Graduated from North (Wheaton, Ill.) High School in 1981.

- Earned his bachelor's degree in business administration/marketing from the University of Iowa in 1985.

Chuck Long On Giving Back

Chuck Long has always believed in giving back to the community. It's a philosophy that began close to home.

"My brother has cerebral palsy and so I have always been heavily involved in Special Olympics wherever I have been."

Long and several Aztecs have volunteered with the Special Olympics since his arrival. In addition to speaking at the opening ceremonies, Long also has served as an official for several events.

"It is important to me that our student-athletes are great members of the community when they leave San Diego State. One area where we concentrate our efforts is in community service and that starts with the coaching staff setting the example. Our team looks forward to these events."

Members of the Aztec football program have volunteered their time within the past year at many events such as a Shop-With-A-Jock and MS Walk (Water Walkers). They have also organized a campus cleanup, worked at campus blood drives and youth football camps and played host to a group of wounded Marines from the Naval Medical Center San Diego at the Tony Gwynn 2007 Classic at PETCO Park.

In addition, the coach still lends his name and celebrity to the Chuck Long Charity Auction to benefit the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. Despite having left the state, Long still returns to the Iowa-Illinois border every March to host an auction to benefit the charity.

Long's wife serves on the board for a center that helps abused family members in Oklahoma, while coach Long is a board member for the Toussaint Academy of the Arts and Sciences, a licensed group home that serves homeless youth in San Diego.

CHUCK LONG ON

ENTERING HIS THIRD YEAR:
"We like where we are going in our program. We have had a master plan from day one which is right on track. We have a team that has a chance to grow up together. Just pure size and strength has gotten better across the board. You see a good and healthy team atmosphere happening. I am really anxious and excited for training camp because that's when we go to Camp Pendleton. As far as our program, I have been pleased with where we are. The record hasn't indicated as such, but I know we are a lot better football team and are where we need to be foundation-wise. We get a chance to turn this thing around and we believe the program will be good for years to come."

A CHUCK LONG PROGRAM:
"I want us to have a class program that is starting to do things on and off the field equally as well. What I mean by that is academics and athletics, both are important. Recruiting and developing are two crucial things for us to accomplish. That's why I hired the staff I did. I hired good developers. I want people to look back and say, `They really recruit well to what they have at San Diego State and they develop that talent.'"

FEEDBACK ON YOUR COACHING STAFF:
"When you get coaches who say privately and publicly, `You are a breath of fresh air,' that's the feedback you look for as a head coach. You think you are doing all the right things and then you have feedback like, `You guys are great. You have been very personable.' The other part of that is when you have over 1,000 kids in your (summer) camps. Those are the coaches who are bringing their kids to camp. That's a good sign. They feel that something good is going to happen here and they want their kids around it or at least exposed to it. If they didn't believe in our future, we would have fewer kids, not more. Those are always tangible signs that you look for that you can measure where your program is."

EMPHASIS ON RECRUITING:
"It has to come from the head coach. If it doesn't come from the head coach, you are going to have certain members of your staff saying, `If he doesn't like it then I don't like it." I do love recruiting. Building relationships with kids and families is like playing the football season for me. I like it equally as well. Our guys feel that. They roll up their sleeves and recruit every day. We have had more clinics on campus and more coaches can see that. We are reaching out in a good way."

KEEPING THE STAFF INTACT:
"It makes a huge difference. That goes back to President Weber and Jeff Schemmel's commitment. We have been committed to keeping guys here. I also believe that the guys feel something good here and they want to be a part of that. That's always a good sign when your staff stays. I believe I have added some really good people. We kept continuity by putting Toby Neinas in a more natural position with him (coaching) linebackers. He's breaking right into a potential All-American in Russell Allen and has a good situation. Then bringing (tight ends coach) Brian Stark back in on offense, because he's got a very young, bright mind. Adding (defensive line coach) Mike Nelson has been a great addition, also. It is great to get a guy of his caliber and experience. They are hard to get and I am glad to have him. He brings a lot of fire and energy that is needed at that position. The key to it is continuity and hearing the same thing over and over. Keeping the staff, especially the coordinators together, gives them a chance to hear it again."

THE TEAM'S PROGRESSION:
"The biggest change is how our guys are working during the summer. That is significantly better through our team and what they want. That's been a big difference. And going back to all the strength and size, I have been very proud of the fact that they are bigger and stronger in our program since we have been here. They do all the right things and are a good team off the field. They really started to take care of their business. The team GPA is the second-highest ever. Those are the things I am proud of. When you get guys who come up to you and say, `I get it now.' It's the feedback that makes you feel you're making strides."

The Chuck Long File

Birthdate
February 18, 1963

Hometown
Wheaton, Ill.

High School
Wheaton North

Alma Mater
Iowa

Family
Wife, Lisa, and children, Lindsay, Samantha, Nathan, Zachary and Maddy

Playing Career

1981-85
Iowa

1986-89, 1991-94
Detroit Lions

1990
Los Angeles Rams

Coaching Career

2006-08
San Diego State
Head Coach

1999-2005
Oklahoma
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks (2002-05)
Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator (1999-2001)

1995-99
Iowa
Quarterbacks/Special Teams (1998-99)
Defensive Backs/Special Teams (1995-97)

Bowl Games As A Coach (9)

Oklahoma
2005 Orange Bowl, 2004 Sugar Bowl,
2003 Rose Bowl, 2002 Cotton Bowl,
2001 Orange Bowl, 1999 Independence Bowl

Iowa
1997 Sun Bowl, 1996 Alamo Bowl,
1995 Sun Bowl

Bowl Games As A Player (5)

Iowa
1986 Rose Bowl, 1984 Freedom Bowl,
1983 Gator Bowl, 1982 Peach Bowl, 1982 Rose Bowl

Chuck Long's coaching Ledger

Season	School	Position	                     Head Coach	                Record          Bowl       F. Rk.

1995	Iowa	Secondary/Special Teams	Hayden Fry	                8-4 (.667)	Sun	23/22
1996	Iowa	Secondary/Special Teams	Hayden Fry	                9-3 (.750)	Alamo	18/18
1997	Iowa	Secondary/Special Teams	Hayden Fry	                7-5 (583)	Sun
1998	Iowa	Quarterbacks/Special Teams	Hayden Fry	                3-8 (.273)
1999	Iowa	Quarterbacks/Special Teams	Kirk Ferentz	     1-10 (.091)

1999	Oklahoma	QBs/Passing Game Coordinator	Bob Stoops	                0-1 (.000)	Independence
2000	Oklahoma	QBs/Passing Game Coordinator	Bob Stoops	                13-0 (1.000)	Orange	1/1
2001	Oklahoma	QBs/Passing Game Coordinator	Bob Stoops	                11-2 (.846)	Cotton	6/6

2002	Oklahoma	Offensive Coordinator/QBs	Bob Stoops	                12-2 (.857)	Rose	5/5
2003	Oklahoma	Offensive Coordinator/QBs	Bob Stoops	                12-2 (.857)	Sugar	3/3
2004	Oklahoma	Offensive Coordinator/QBs	Bob Stoops	                12-1 (.923)	Orange	3/3
2005	Oklahoma	Offensive Coordinator/QBs	Bob Stoops	                7-4 (.636)*	Holiday	22/22

2006	San Diego State	Head Coach 	Chuck Long                 3-9 (.250)
2007	San Diego State	Head Coach	Chuck Long	4-8 (.333)
Totals		                                                           102-59 (.633)

Nine Bowl Games - Seven Top 25, Five Top-Six Finishes - Member of 2000 National Championship Staff
Final Rankings = Associated Press/Coaches Poll
*Does not include Oklahoma's Holiday Bowl victory