National Catholic Register, Trent Beattie: As a young boy, Mark Duffner aspired to the priesthood — and the papacy. The Annandale, Virginia, native wanted to become the first pope from the United States. However, being introduced to football in high school would usher in a change to his life goals.
Duffner, 63, started coaching as a graduate assistant for Ohio State legend Woody Hayes in 1975. His next 21 years would be spent in the collegiate ranks, including a highly successful tenure as head coach at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Duffner’s NFL coaching experience began in 1997, with the Cincinnati Bengals, and it continues now with the 5-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who upset the 7-3 Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, 19-17. Prior to the game, Duffner spoke about this season and his preservation of core religious beliefs. Read the rest here.
