I read Joe Philbin’s transcript of his introduction as the Miami Dolphins head coach.
When he was asked about influences, he mentioned that Ken O’Keefe as one of his influences.
Here’s what he said:
(On who were your biggest influences) – “Well, the biggest influence I probably had was when I went to Worchester Academy in the Fall of 1979 and one of my classmates, my next door neighbor, State Senator (Jack) Hart from South Boston is over here today with my family. But there I was fortunate to be coached by Kirk Ferentz, who some of you guys know the head coach of the University of Iowa. Mike Sherman, who was the head coach at Texas A&M most recently, but was also the man responsible that gave me the opportunity to coach in the National Football League. Ken O’Keefe, the offensive coordinator at the University of Iowa. I worked with all three of those men at different places along the way. I worked with Coach O’Keefe at Allegheny College. We won a National Championship. I worked with Coach Ferentz at the University of Iowa. We were fortunate to win the only time in Iowa history that went undefeated in the Big Ten Conference. And then I worked with Coach Sherman where we won two division championships up in Green Bay. That was probably the most impactful year that I had and those were some of the men that inspired me in the coaching profession. And obviously, my last six years with Coach (Mike) McCarthy in Green Bay have been fantastic. He’s an excellent football coach and a great human being so that’s been a great experience for me as well.”
Philbin has not filled his staff yet. I’m seeing a possibility that O’Keefe could join him on the Dolphins staff. The 2 are good friends and remain in close contact with one another.
