Every season it seems like one NFL team dips into the high school ranks to offer an opportunity to a bright mind of the prep ranks to ascend to the game's highest level.
This year, that move is being made by Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, and while their hire is technically coming from the high school ranks, he's not exactly a high school coaching veteran.
Brian Niedermeyer is a name that many fans of college football will recognize.
With stops at programs in the SEC like Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, Niedermeyer coached the Vols tight ends under Jeremy Pruitt for a few seasons before moving to defense and working with the inside linebackers during the spring of 2021.
As we all know, the Pruitt era in Knoxville came to an end in scandal, and Niedermeyer was let go with cause, along with most of the rest of the staff, following an internal investigation into recruiting violations.
He would go on to coach at some of the top high school programs in the country at St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) and then at IMG Academy (FL) as the defensive coordinator before moving to Tuscaloosa County HS (AL) to be the defensive play caller.
About three months back, Niedermeyer was elevated to the head coaching job taking over for Miles Holcomb after a 1-9 season
Today, Niedermeyer tendered his resignation from the job in order to "accept a position at a higher level," and sources confirm he's heading to the NFL to join the Broncos. CBS Sports has reported the same.
He will serve as a member of the defensive staff in Denver, we understand.
For Tuscaloosa County, who has not made the playoffs in ten straight seasons, it means they must begin a search for their fourth head coach in three seasons.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.