Scott Pioli, thrice recognized as a PFWA Executive of the Year for his NFL work, is now part of a growing trend that has seen college programs hire former NFLers. Per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic (subscription required), Iowa is hiring Pioli to serve as a consultant.
Pioli, 60, began his executive career as a pro personnel assistant with the iteration of the Browns that eventually moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. In 2000 – the year that Tom Brady was drafted and Bill Belichick was hired – Pioli joined the Patriots as New England’s assistant director of player personnel. Of course, the eventual Belichick/Brady dynasty created a rising tide that lifted the boats of many execs and coaches, and Pioli was no exception.
From 2002-08, Pioli served as the Pats’ vice president of player personnel, a stretch in which the club advanced to four Super Bowls and won three of them. That success earned him two of the above-referenced Executive of the Year awards and a job as the Chiefs’ general manager in 2009.
Pioli’s tenure atop Kansas City’s front office did not go particularly well. Shortly after he was hired, he swung a trade for former Brady backup Matt Cassel, who had played well in relief of Brady in 2008 (the trade also sent former Patriots linebacker and current New England head coach Mike Vrabel to Missouri). Pioli then authorized a lucrative extension for Cassel before he ever played a snap for KC, but the USC product was mostly unable to replicate his Foxborough success as a member of the Chiefs.
Kansas City posted losing records in three of Pioli’s four seasons at the helm (with the one exception being a 10-6 2010 campaign in which Cassel posted a career-high 93.0 QB rating and led the team to a playoff berth). After a disastrous 2012 slate that culminated in a 2-14 record, Pioli was fired.
He did not have to wait long for his next opportunity, landing a job as the Falcons’ assistant GM in 2014. He held that role through the 2019 NFL draft and resigned in May 2019.
Atlanta advanced to Super Bowl LI during Pioli’s time with the club, famously losing that matchup with the Patriots despite leading 28-3 at one point. The Falcons made it back to the playoffs the following year before stumbling to a 7-9 record in 2018, leading to reports that owner Arthur Blank had become frustrated with the direction of his franchise. Pioli described his 2019 resignation as a voluntary one, though Blank’s reported concerns and the fact that Pioli did not have another opportunity lined up following his resignation created plenty of skepticism in that regard.
Pioli was floated as a GM candidate for several openings in the years following his Falcons departure and even interviewed for the Lions’ post that ultimately went to Brad Holmes in 2021. He has not been on the interview circuit since then, however.
With his professional opportunities seemingly exhausted, it stands to reason that Pioli would turn his attention to the college ranks. And, given the landmark House v. NCAA settlement that has completely transformed the collegiate landscape, it is likewise logical for college programs to seek executives who are familiar with a finance-driven approach to roster construction.
The House settlement allows colleges up to $20.5MM to pay their student athletes across all sports. Football will command the bulk of such payments, and according to Dochterman, Iowa plans to use its full $20.5MM “cap,” roughly 75% of which will go to football players.
Pioli has a close relationship with Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz that dates back to the duo’s time together in Cleveland/Baltimore from 1992-96. He joins former NFL mainstays like Andrew Luck, Ron Rivera, Michael Lombardi, Pat Stewart, and Nick Polk, who have all transitioned to the college level.
