Dave Wannstedt Profile
Dave Wannstedt is a former American football coach working for FOX Sports and appears on FOX NFL KICKOFF on Sunday mornings during the NFL season. He played on the club’s practice squad during the 1974 season before retiring to pursue a coaching career.
Dave Wannstedt Education
Wannstedt graduated from Baldwin High School. He attended the University of Pittsburgh on an athletic scholarship, where he played offensive tackle and was blocked for future Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett.
Dave Wannstedt Career
Wannstedt serves in the collegiate and professional coaching ranks and was a three-year starter and team captain at offensive tackle for the University of Pittsburgh when he was drafted in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. In doing so, he returned to his alma mater to accept a position as a graduate assistant prior to the 1975 season. Wannstedt remained on the Panthers’ coaching staff for the next four years, during which time the Panthers went 37-10-1, including a 12-0 season in 1976 that resulted in the school’s ninth national championship.
In 1979, he accepted the position of defensive line coach at Oklahoma State, a position offered to him by upstart head coach Jimmy Johnson, with whom he had previously worked at Pitt. Wannstedt was reunited with Johnson at the University of Miami in 1986, accepting his first defensive coordinator position after a three-year stint at Southern California that included a Rose Bowl victory.
Over the next three years, the Hurricanes ran roughshod over the college football world, finishing 34-2 and winning the 1987 National Championship after a perfect 12-0 season. Wannstedt was named NFC Coach of the Year in 1994 by UPI and “Football News.” He returned to Pitt in 2005 to take over as head coach of the football team.
In the NFL, he has also worked as an assistant on staff for the Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is still the last Dolphins coach to win a playoff game. Wannstedt was the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2003.
Quick Facts About Dave Wannstedt
| Age | 72 years old as of 2024 |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Janet Redlinger Wannstedt |
| Net Worth | $18 million |
He left Pittsburgh in 2010 and returned to the NFL as an assistant with the Bills and Buccaneers in 2010. He likes to play golf and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. For the 1994, 1995, and 1996 NFL seasons, as well as the All-Star Game, he was named to John Madden’s All-Madden Team.
Miami’s dominance, fueled by Wannstedt’s intimidating defense, shook the football world to its core, and it was only a matter of time before the pros came calling. In February 1989, Johnson was named head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and Wannstedt joined him as defensive coordinator.
It only took two years for the coaching staff to turn a 1-15 team in 1989 into a formidable contender. The 1992 team finished the regular season 13-3 and went on to win Super Bowl XXVII by a score of 52-17, thanks to a defense that forced a Super Bowl-record nine turnovers.
Dave Wannstedt Age
Wannstedt is 72 years old as of 2024. He was born on 21 May 1952 in Baldwin, Pennsylvania, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 21 May every year.
Dave Wannstedt Height
Wannstedt stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches(1.93 m).
Dave Wannstedt Family
Wannstedt is the son of Frank Wannstedt and Virginia Wannstedt. He has five siblings; a brother Dan Wannstedt and four sisters, Cheryl Wannstedt, Peggy Wannstedt, Diane Wannstedt and Joane Wannstedt.
Dave Wannstedt Wife
Wannstedt is married to high-school sweetheart Janet Redlinger Wannstedt. The couple has two daughters; Carrie Wannstedt and Jamie Wannstedt. His wife is also a women’s football coach who grew up on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, a storied football city.
Dave Wannstedt Salary
Being one of the top sports analysts for FOX Sports, Wannstedt earns an annual salary ranging between $ 20,000 – $ 100,000.
Dave Wannstedt Net Worth
Wannstedt has an estimated net worth of $18 million which he has earned through his successful career as an NFL Analyst.
Dave Wannstedt Contract
In January 2000, Wannstedt was named head coach of the Miami Dolphins. His regular-season record was 42–31, and he made the playoffs in both of his first two seasons. Dolphin fans grew increasingly dissatisfied with his in-game coaching. His contract gave him the authority to overturn draft decisions made by then-Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman.
Wannstedt became the face of a rapidly declining franchise after another late-season collapse in 2003 and no playoff appearance that year. He was fired following the 2003 season, in which the Dolphins finished 3-13 and were eliminated from the playoffs. Wannstedts’ final season as head coach saw the team end a six-year playoff drought.
Dave Wannstedt Chicago Bears
Wannstedt replaced Mike Ditka on January 19, 1993, after he was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. During his time coaching for 6 years Chicago Bears, he led the team to compile a record of 41–57. However, he was fired on December 28, 1998, by the owner Michael McCaskey after Dave posted back-to-back 4–12 seasons and a 1–11 overall record against the Green Bay Packers.
Dave Wannstedt Buffalo Bills
Dave joined the Buffalo Bills on January 21, 2011and served as assistant head coach/linebackers coach under Chan Gailey. On January 2, 2012, he was given a raise to serve as a defensive coordinator. However, he was fired on December 31, 2012, alongside the Bills coaching staff after the Bills finished the season with a 6–10 record.
Dave Wannstedt FOX Sports
At FOX Sports Wannstedt works alongside;
- Howie Long
- Donny Marshall
- Brandon Marshall
- Jason McIntyre
- Jamie McMurray
- Mark Schlereth
- Ken Rosenthal
- Bob Pockrass
- Tony Pedregon
- Michael Strahan
- Nick Wright
- Katie Witham
- Sara Walsh
- Jonathan Vilma