Chiefs’ Andy Reid Recalls Selling Hot Dogs to Raise Money For San Francisco State Gators

The Kansas City Chiefs head coach’s story is one for the books! Andy Reid has lifted the Lombardi Trophy thrice and has several coaching accolades under his belt. The California native has come a long way from his time and was recently given a blast from the past by a former San Francisco 49ers player.

During a recent appearance on the Y’s Guys, the Chiefs’ HC was asked a special question from a former teammate! BYU’s athletic director, Tom Holmoe, gave some insider information on Reid, from his days as the offensive line coach at San Fransisco State. The interview relayed Holmoe’s question, “Andy do you remember selling hot dogs on the weekends at San Francisco State to raise money for football?”

The HC could not help but chuckle at the memory and replied, “I remember it very well.” San Fransisco State shut down the under-financed Gators football squad altogether in 1995. Reid explained how he would contribute to the college’s struggling football team, “So at San Francisco State, Tom was actually playing for the 49ers at that time and – at San Francisco State we sold hot dogs every Tuesday and Thursday, just to make money to support the players during training camp and buy their food for them.”

The HC further called San Fransisco State “a unique campus” with a “variety of different people.” He also expressed that watching and meeting Holmoe, who would come to the campus with the practice squad, would convince Reid of his future success. “He [Tom Holmoe] was able to come up and sit in the booth with me at San Francisco State, and I always thought he would have been a great coach, and he ended up doing that. Although he really wanted to be an athletic director, so he eventually got what he wanted -and he’s great at that.”

The plug might have been pulled on San Fransisco State’s football program then, but it was the talented players and coaches whose legacy lives on. Reid left with not only invaluable coaching experience but also long-lasting friendships with Tom Holmoe, Tom Melvin, and Vic Rowen.

San Fransisco State’s legacy with coaches like Andy Reid and Tom Melvin

The Gators were under the command of former U.S. Army veteran Vic Rowen. Reid joined the squad in 1983 and described the head coach as “tougher than shoe leather.” He also shared via GoldenGateExpress, “I had a great mentor with Vic Rowen, who helped show me the way.” At the time, he joined as the offensive line coach, becoming one of three coaches on the staff. The QB coach, Mike Holmgren, would later play a part in getting Reid his first NFL job.

Then came in Tom Melvin, the current tight ends coach for Kansas City. He played in the college team at the time, and his interest in coaching caught Reid’s eye. The HC described Melvin as a “grinder” and would go on to start a new position as a graduate assistant for him. This partnership would transcend time and reflect in their current success with the Chiefs.

Andy Reid has come a long way from his San Fransisco State days. He, along with a few other coaches, laid the foundation of teaching together and a bond that they carry to this day.