Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Madden

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Madden made an impact.

John Madden was a highly successful American football coach and commentator. As head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969-1978, he achieved a remarkable record, never experiencing a losing season and boasting the highest winning percentage among NFL coaches with at least 100 games coached. He led the Raiders to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, and a Super Bowl XI victory. Madden holds the record for the most wins as head coach in Raiders history with 103 wins. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1954: Played at the College of San Mateo

In 1954, John Madden played one season at the College of San Mateo before receiving a football scholarship to the University of Oregon.

1956: Played at Grays Harbor College

In the fall of 1956, John Madden played football at Grays Harbor College.

1957: All-Coast Second Team Selection

During the 1957 season, John Madden was selected by United Press International for Little All-Coast Second Team accolades following his junior season. During the 1957 season, Madden caught a pass from future fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, then-teammate and Cal Poly quarterback, Bobby Beathard.

1957: Played at Cal Poly

In 1957, John Madden played both offense and defense for the Mustangs at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

1958: Played at Cal Poly

In 1958, John Madden continued to play both offense and defense for the Mustangs at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

January 3, 1959: Played in the All-American Bowl

On January 3, 1959, John Madden played in the All-American Bowl in Tucson, Arizona.

August 1959: Ended Playing Career Due to Injury

In August 1959, John Madden suffered an injury on his other knee in his first training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles, ending his playing career.

1959: Earned Bachelor of Science in Education

In 1959, John Madden earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Cal Poly.

1960: Assistant Coach at Allan Hancock College

In 1960, John Madden became an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.

1961: Earned Master of Arts in Education

In 1961, John Madden earned a Master of Arts in education from Cal Poly.

1962: Promoted to Head Coach

In 1962, John Madden was promoted to head coach at Allan Hancock College.

1963: Bulldogs Ranked No. 9 Nationally

In 1963, John Madden's Allan Hancock College Bulldogs were ranked No. 9 nationally among city colleges.

1966: Defensive Assistant Coach at San Diego State

In 1966, John Madden's final campaign as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State, the Aztecs were ranked among the top small colleges in the country.

1967: Linebackers Coach for Oakland Raiders

In 1967, John Madden was hired by Al Davis as linebackers coach for the AFL's Oakland Raiders.

February 4, 1969: Named Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders

On February 4, 1969, John Madden was named the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, becoming the youngest head coach in the AFL/NFL at the time.

1969: Lost AFL Championship Game

In 1969, John Madden's first Raiders squad went 12-1-1 but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the last-ever American Football League Championship Game.

1972: "Immaculate Reception" Loss

In 1972, the Raiders lost an AFC divisional round game against the Steelers due to Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception".

1974: Lost AFC Championship Game

In 1974, after knocking the Miami Dolphins out of the playoffs, the Raiders again lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.

1975: Lost AFC Championship Game Again

In 1975, the Steelers once more ended the Raiders' season one game short of the Super Bowl in the AFC Championship game.

1976: Raiders Reach Super Bowl XI

In 1976, Madden's Raiders defeated the Steelers in the AFC Championship game to reach Super Bowl XI after going 13-1 in the regular season and a controversial victory over the Patriots.

January 9, 1977: Won Super Bowl XI

On January 9, 1977, John Madden won his first and only NFL title with the Oakland Raiders, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI.

1977: Lost AFC Championship Game

In 1977, The Raiders made the playoffs as a Wild Card team, but lost the AFC Championship Game to the Denver Broncos.

1978: Failed to Qualify for the Playoffs

In 1978, The Raiders enjoyed their tenth straight winning campaign under Madden but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

January 4, 1979: Announced Retirement

On January 4, 1979, John Madden announced his retirement from coaching due to a troublesome ulcer and occupational burnout.

1979: Joined CBS as a Color Commentator

In 1979, John Madden joined CBS as a color commentator for NFL telecasts.

1981: Teamed with Pat Summerall

In 1981, John Madden was elevated to CBS's top football broadcasting duo with Pat Summerall, replacing Tom Brookshier.

1984: Creation of the "All-Madden" Team

In 1984, John Madden created the "All-Madden" team, a selection of players who, in his opinion, best represented football and played the game with the right spirit.

1984: Initial Planning for John Madden Football

In 1984, John Madden had initial planning conversations with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, envisioning the John Madden Football program as a tool for teaching and testing plays.

1988: Debut of John Madden Football

In 1988, John Madden lent his name, voice, and creative input to the John Madden Football series of video games by Electronic Arts, later called Madden NFL.

January 23, 1994: Final CBS Telecast with Summerall

On January 23, 1994, Madden told Summerall that while CBS may no longer have the NFL, at least they have the memories, during their final CBS telecast together at the 1993 NFC Championship Game.

1994: Joined Fox's NFL Coverage

In 1994, John Madden and Pat Summerall helped establish Fox's NFL coverage after Fox gained the rights to NFC games.

1994: Creation of 10th Anniversary All-Madden Team

In 1994, John Madden created a special 10th Anniversary All-Madden team.

1997: Began Calling into KCBS Radio

In 1997, John Madden began calling in to radio station KCBS five days a week.

1997: Creation of All-Madden Super Bowl Team

In 1997, John Madden created an All-Madden Super Bowl Team.

1998: Fox's NFL Contract Signed

In 1998, Fox signed an eight-year deal for its NFL contract, which reportedly led to estimated losses towards the end of Madden's tenure.

2000: Creation of All-Time All-Madden team

In 2000, John Madden created an All-Time All-Madden team.

2001: Madden moves to ABC and Monday Night Football

In 2001, John Madden left to move to ABC and Monday Night Football, and stopped picking the All-Madden team.

Loading Video...

2002: Commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football

In 2002, John Madden became a commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football, working with Al Michaels.

2002: Stopped Announcing Thanksgiving Day Games

In 2002, John Madden stopped announcing the Thanksgiving Day games after he moved to ABC, but the tradition continued.

2003: Madden's Fox Contract Worth

In 2003, Madden's Fox contract would have been worth $8 million.

2005: Announced as Commentator for NBC's Sunday Night NFL Games

In 2005, Dick Ebersol announced that John Madden would provide color commentary for NBC's Sunday night NFL games, starting with the 2006 season.

2005: Similar Words on ABC's Final Telecast

In 2005, on ABC's final Monday Night Football telecast, Madden used a similar choice of words as he did on his final CBS telecast.

2006: Began Commentating for NBC's Sunday Night NFL Games

In 2006, John Madden began providing color commentary for NBC's Sunday night NFL games.

October 13, 2008: Madden's Consecutive Broadcast Streak Ends

On October 13, 2008, NBC announced that Madden would not be traveling to the October 19 Sunday Night Football game, ending his 476-weekend streak of consecutive broadcast appearances.

November 2, 2008: Returned to Broadcasting Booth

On November 2, 2008, John Madden returned to the broadcasting booth for a game in Indianapolis after missing one game.

February 1, 2009: Called Final Game

On February 1, 2009, John Madden called his final game, Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

April 16, 2009: Announced Retirement from Broadcasting

On April 16, 2009, John Madden announced his official retirement from the broadcasting booth.

2009: Madden's Broadcasting Retirement

In 2009, despite retiring as a broadcaster, John Madden continued to lend his name and provide creative input to the Madden NFL series.

2015: Stopped Calling into KCBS After Heart Surgery

In 2015, John Madden ceased calling into KCBS after heart surgery and other health concerns.

June 2016: Madden's bocce tournament raises money for charities

In June 2016, John Madden's bocce tournament, co-hosted with Steve Mariucci, raised $5 million for Special Olympics Northern California, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Diabetes Youth Foundation.

2017: Returned to KCBS Radio Appearances

In 2017, John Madden began making twice-weekly appearances on KCBS radio again.

August 2018: Stopped Regular Radio Call-ins

In August 2018, John Madden stopped making regular radio call-ins, citing a desire to remove obligations from his schedule.

2021: Madden Funds Scholarships to Cal Poly

In 2021, John Madden began funding six scholarships to his alma mater, Cal Poly, for students from various East Bay high schools.

October 2022: Donation towards new football facility

In October 2022, Cal Poly and the Madden family announced that John Madden had donated a leading contribution toward a total $30-million football facility on the Cal Poly campus.