Ken Flajole’s NFL Journey: From Griz to Super Bowl Wins

Meet the Griz is a series that tells the stories of Montana Grizzlies athletes, coaches, and contributors. Here are some past "Meet the Griz" features:

Meet the Griz: Former Griz Defensive Coordinator Ken Flajole

Coach Ken Flajole has lived an epic football life. With stops at both the NFL and college football levels, Flajole has traveled more than you and I combined. Here are all of his coaching stops:

Pacific Lutheran
Washington
Montana
UTEP
Missouri
Richmond
Hawaii
Nevada
Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
Carolina Panthers
St. Louis Rams
New Orleans Saints
Cleveland Browns
Philadelphia Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs
Stanford

With all those stops and an uncertain future based on players' performance, would Coach Flajole recommend a young guy to get into coaching?

"You're going to be kind of a transient in a way," explained Flajole. "And I would say this: For the guys that are married that are in coaching or want to get into coaching, I was fortunate. I had a very strong wife in terms of raising our children because you spend so much time at the office.

"You spend so much time away from home, recruiting on the road, playing, those types of things."

From 1977 to 2025, Flajole had 17 coaching stops along the way, including Super Bowl Champion rings with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

"It was obviously a lot of fun," Flajole said of his time winning Super Bowls with both teams. "All the credit goes to the players. We had a great roster at Philadelphia and we had a tremendous roster at Kansas City."

Flajole's Chiefs celebrate Super Bowl LVIII. Credit: Jamie Squire Getty Images

Nick Foles celebrates Super Bowl LII. Credit: Patrick Smith (Getty Images)

Flajole shared his appreciation for former Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson, whom he met at his first NFL stint with the Green Bay Packers in the 90s, and current Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid.

Now, Flajole is a defensive analyst at Stanford University. Being a typical college "coach" no longer appeals to Flajole.

"No, I don't think so," Flajole said on whether he could coach in today's college football. "It's not because of the players, but this NIL or this money that you have to pay them."

As Flajole was preparing for Stanford's last opponent, SMU, Flajole looked at the roster and saw that a large chunk of players were transfers. That's not what Flajole wants.

Flajole was in Missoula raising the 37 Flag ahead. It was Coach's first time in 30 years that he made it back to Missoula. Listen to our great conversation above.