Pro Football Hall of Fame Celebrates Three Assistant Coaches
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is set to celebrate the contributions of three distinguished assistant coaches with the prestigious Awards of Excellence. Announced on Monday, the 2026 class includes Mike Westhoff, Bobb McKittrick, and Ted Cottrell.
Awards of Excellence Class of 2026
This marks the fifth installment of the Awards of Excellence, recognizing the significant impact of assistant coaches in professional football. In total, the Hall of Fame has honored 17 assistant coaches through this initiative.
Profiles of Honorees
- Mike Westhoff: With an impressive 33 seasons in the NFL, Westhoff is celebrated for his role as a special teams coach, primarily with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
- Bobb McKittrick: Known for his dedication, McKittrick served as the offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for 21 seasons. He remained with the franchise during all five of its Super Bowl victories, having been hired by Bill Walsh in 1979.
- Ted Cottrell: Cottrell’s career spanned 24 seasons across six franchises. He is well-regarded for his innovative approach to the 3-4 defense, contributing to the development of several Hall of Fame players, notably Bruce Smith.
Other Honorees and Ceremony Details
In addition to these three coaches, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has recognized winners in other categories. Notable recipients include:
- Scott Berchtold, Jim Gallagher, and Lee Remmel as public relations directors.
- Red Batty, Mike Davidson, and Jack Noel in the equipment managers category.
- Edward “Abe” Abramoski, Kent Falb, and Michael Ryan as athletic trainers.
Winners in the film and video directors category will also be announced in the near future. The ceremony honoring the Awards of Excellence recipients is scheduled for June 24-25 in Canton.
