He worked at his father's auto repair shop as a teenager and played at quarterback on the Calistoga High School football team. After graduating from Calistoga High in 1954, Vermeil enrolled at Napa Junior College (now Napa Valley College). He transferred to San Jose State College (now University) after two years at Napa. After one year as a backup quarterback on the 1956 San Jose State Spartans football team, Vermeil became starting quarterback on the 1957 team, throwing for 580 yards, one touchdown, and nine interceptions on a team that finished 3–7. Vermeil completed a bachelor's degree in 1958 and master's degree in 1959 at San Jose State, both in physical education. Coaching career Early coaching career (1959–1973) Vermeil began his football coaching career as assistant coach for Del Mar High School in San Jose in 1959. Then from 1960 to 1962, he was head coach at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo. Moving up to the junior college level, he was defensive backfield coach at the College of San Mateo in 1963. In his first head coaching position, Vermeil returned to Napa Junior College in 1964, leading the Chiefs to a 7–2 record, best in the school history. While at Napa JC his younger brother Al played for him. From 1965 to 1968, Vermeil was an assistant coach at Stanford under John Ralston. Vermeil shares the distinction of being hired as one of the NFL's first special teams coaches with Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy. Vermeil was hired by George Allen's Los Angeles Rams in 1969 the same year Levy was hired by Jerry Williams, then Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Except for 1970, when Vermeil was an assistant coach with UCLA, he would remain with the Rams until 1974 when he was named as head coach by UCLA. UCLA (1974–1975) As the head coach for the UCLA Bruins, Vermeil compiled a 15–5–3 record in two seasons (1974–75), including a 9–2–1 record in 1975 when he led the Bruins to their first conference championship in 10 years, and a win in the Rose Bowl over an undefeated and number 1 ranked Ohio State team. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014. Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1982) Vermeil began his NFL head coaching career in 1976 with the Philadelphia Eagles, taking over after the team went 4–10 the previous