Leslie Frazier on his aim to head coach again, the ’85 Bears D, the media game

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former NFL head coach and current NFL Media analyst Leslie Frazier joins Peanut and Roman on the show. When you get three DBs in one room they’re going to talk ball! The guys discuss how being a student of the game is just as important than being a great athlete. Leslie shares his coaching philosophy that made him one of the premiere defensive coaches of this era. He also talks about why he plans to pursue a head coaching job this offseason. What people may not know is that Leslie was a key member of the 1985 Chicago Bears defense – considered the greatest defense of all time – and helped the team reach Super Bowl XX. He tells the story of what happened in that game that changed his life journey and led him into the coaching profession. And he shares what it’s like to be on the media side talking football. Leslie doesn’t do many interviews, so you won’t want to miss this one.

**NOTE this the interview was recorded during the 2023 preseason

0:00 – start of show

1:09 – Leslie Frazier introduced 

2:16 – Leslie on the importance of being a student of the game

5:25 – Leslie on being part of the 1985 Bears Super Bowl-winning defense, and suffering a career-ending injury in Super Bowl XX

10:47 – Leslie on how his knee injury changed the course of his life

15:09 – Leslie on deciding to forgo an NFL return to take his first coaching job at Trinity College

23:53 – Leslie on the different dynamic of being an asst. coach vs a head coach

26:38 – Leslie on adjusting to not being a coach for the first time in nearly 40 years

28:49 – Leslie on his adjustment to being in the media

32:11 – Leslie on wanting to be a head coach again

34:45 – Leslie on his defensive philosophy

39:33 – Leslie on the personality of the ’85 Bears team

43:41 – Leslie on the origin of the Bears “Super Bowl Shuffle”

46:26 – Roman gives Leslie broadcasting advice

48:33 – Leslie on broadcasting advice he’s gotten

50:52 – Leslie on taking time to reflect on his career success

53:19 – Leslie on who is on his personal Mount Rushmore

56:18 – Leslie on balancing being critical as a broadcaster

58:32 – Leslie on being inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame

1:01:24 – Leslie on being part of the HBCU experience

1:06:24 – Leslie on his biggest college baseball highlight

1:09:42 – end of show

**NOTE: Time codes are approximate

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio.

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