ALLEN PARK, Mich. — When John Fox stepped away from the game of football following the 2017 season, he didn't immediately recognize how exhausted he was after working as a head coach 16 consecutive years for three different franchises. It also didn't take him long to start missing it.
"I think you kind of realize there’s some burnout there that you don’t even know," Fox said. "You go three straight jobs; I’m not even sure it's been done before without taking a year off. Once I recovered from the burnout, I think you’ve got a lot more energy."
After just a few months away, he turned to broadcasting to fill the void, working as an analyst for ESPN for two years. But, it wasn't enough. He craved a level of competition only coaching could provide. So, he started looking for opportunities to throw his hat back in that ring. Not as a head coach, mind you. Those days are behind him. But, after sifting through his contacts around the league, he latched on to an opportunity with Frank Reich in Indianapolis, serving as a senior defensive assistant.
