who are the pro bowl coaches
Jerry Rice and Steve Young are the head coaches for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, with Rice coaching the NFC and Young coaching the AFC.
Quick Scoop: Who Are the Pro Bowl Coaches?
For the upcoming 2026 Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco, the NFL tapped two legendary San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famers to run the sidelines.
- Jerry Rice – head coach of the NFC squad.
- Steve Young – head coach of the AFC squad.
These Pro Bowl Games are part of Super Bowl week in the Bay Area and center on an AFC vs. NFC flag football showdown instead of a traditional tackle all-star game.
A Little Context and “Why Them?”
Both coaches are icons from the 49ers’ dynasty years, and the league is clearly leaning into nostalgia and star power for the modern Pro Bowl format.
- Rice is widely regarded as the most dominant wide receiver in NFL history, holding all-time records in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
- Young is a Hall of Fame quarterback, a multiple-time MVP, and a seven-time Pro Bowler who already has experience coaching flag football.
Their selection continues the recent trend of using famous former players (like Peyton and Eli Manning in earlier Pro Bowl Games) as head coaches rather than current NFL staff.
Fast Facts Table (HTML)
| Coach | Team | Notable Role | Hall of Fame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Rice | NFC Pro Bowl team | Legendary WR, 3× Super Bowl champion | Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2010) |
| Steve Young | AFC Pro Bowl team | Hall of Fame QB, 3× Super Bowl champion | Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2005) |
Trending/Latest Angle
- The 2026 Pro Bowl Games will be held during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, giving 49ers fans an extra dose of franchise history spotlight.
- The event will again feature a flag football format, aligning with the sport’s Olympic debut planned for LA28 and the NFL’s push to showcase speed and skill in a safer, more TV-friendly way.
In forum discussions and social chatter, a lot of fans see this as a “49ers reunion” vibe for Super Bowl week, with some joking that the Bay Area might feel like it’s hosting a 90s Niners tribute festival.
TL;DR: Jerry Rice (NFC) and Steve Young (AFC) are the 2026 Pro Bowl Games head coaches, leading AFC vs. NFC flag football during Super Bowl week in San Francisco.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.