Greg Austin (American football) facts for kids

Greg Austin (born November 19, 1984) is an American football coach and a former player. He currently works as the assistant offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Before this, he coached the offensive line for teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, FIU, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Central Florida. He also played as an offensive guard for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2003 to 2007.

In August 2018, Greg Austin was recognized by ESPN as one of the '40 Under 40'. This list highlights 40 influential people in sports who are under 40 years old.

Greg Austin's Early Life

Greg Austin was born on November 19, 1984, in Houston, Texas. He grew up in Cypress, Texas, and went to Cy-Fair High School. At school, he was a football player and also competed in shot put for the track and field team. He was very popular and was even elected homecoming king. His friends and coaches called him "BG" or "Big Greg" because he was a great leader.

After high school, Greg received a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska. He chose Nebraska over other schools like North Texas, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech.

Greg Austin's College Football Career

In November 2002, Greg Austin visited the University of Nebraska campus. The head coach, Frank Solich, really wanted him to play for the team. In the spring of 2003, Greg officially signed to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. That fall, he became a starting player on the offensive line. He was one of only five true freshmen in Nebraska's history to start on the offensive line right away.

His teammates included Jammal Lord and his roommate Cory Ross. Even though he had a knee injury later in the season, the Cornhuskers won the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State that year. Greg continued to be a starting offensive lineman throughout his time at Nebraska. Two years later, they won the Alamo Bowl again, this time against Michigan, under a new coach, Bill Callahan.

In his final year, the Huskers, with running back and roommate Brandon Jackson, played a close game against Auburn in the 2007 Cotton Bowl Classic. Greg graduated from Nebraska in 2007 with a degree in Business Administration. Some of his other teammates included Ndamukong Suh and Zac Taylor.

After graduating from Nebraska, Greg Austin went on to study at the University of Central Florida. He joined the DeVos Sports Management Program. He earned two master's degrees in business sports management in 2009.

Greg Austin's Coaching Journey

Starting His Coaching Path

Greg Austin's coaching career began soon after he finished his studies at the University of Central Florida. He also worked as an event manager for Disney's Wide World of Sports. He started as an intern graduate assistant coach at Mesabi Range College and later at Wayne State University. At both schools, he helped coach the offensive line.

Coaching at Oregon

In 2010, Greg Austin received an offer to join Chip Kelly's coaching staff at the University of Oregon. Players and coaches called him "Coach G." He helped coach the offensive line under offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. He started as an intern but was soon promoted to graduate assistant offensive coach.

The 2010 Ducks had an amazing season, winning all 12 of their regular season games. They won the Pac-10 Conference title, which was the first time in the school's 117-year history they had an undefeated regular season. They played against Heisman winner Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers in the 2011 BCS National Championship. They lost a very close game by a field goal.

For the next two years, Austin and the Ducks continued to win. They won the conference title in 2011, and then won the 2012 Rose Bowl and 2013 Fiesta Bowl. While Greg Austin was with the Ducks, the team had an impressive record of 36 wins and only 4 losses. Greg once said that winning the Rose Bowl was one of the most fun moments he ever had on the field.

Coaching the Philadelphia Eagles

After the 2012 season, Greg Austin left Oregon with Chip Kelly to join the Philadelphia Eagles. He worked as an assistant offensive line coach for the Eagles from 2013 to 2015.

Coaching at Central Florida and Nebraska

In 2016, Greg Austin joined new head coach Scott Frost's staff at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as the offensive line coach. When Scott Frost became the head coach at Nebraska in 2018, Greg Austin followed him and took the same role there. He coached at Nebraska until November 2021.

Coaching at FIU

On January 2, 2022, Greg Austin joined Mike MacIntyre's new staff at FIU. He served as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the team.

Coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars

On February 1, 2023, Greg Austin returned to the NFL as an offensive assistant coach for Doug Pederson's Jacksonville Jaguars staff. On February 22, 2024, he was named the assistant offensive line coach for the Jaguars.

Second Time with the Philadelphia Eagles

On February 27, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Greg Austin again. He is now serving as their assistant offensive line coach.