Tom Cable: NFL Head Coach Biography

Tom Cable is a veteran American football coach and former player, best known for his tenure as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Cable has spent decades in football, both on the field as a player and on the sidelines as a coach at the college and professional levels.

Playing Career

• College: Cable played college football as an offensive lineman at the University of Idaho from 1982 to 1985.
• Position: Offensive Lineman (primarily guard and center)

Coaching Career

• College Coaching:
  • Graduate Assistant at Idaho (1987–1988)
  • Assistant roles at San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton, UNLV, and California
  • Offensive Line Coach at Colorado (1999–2000)
  • Head Coach at University of Idaho (2000–2003): Compiled an 11–35 record
• NFL Coaching:
  • Atlanta Falcons (Offensive Line Coach, 2006)
  • Oakland Raiders (Offensive Line Coach, then Head Coach, 2007–2010)
    • Became interim head coach in 2008, then full-time head coach from 2009–2010
    • Record as Raiders head coach: 17–27
    • Led Raiders to an 8–8 record in 2010, their first non-losing season since 2002
  • Seattle Seahawks (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach, 2011–2017)
    • Key part of coaching staff for Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII championship team (2013 season)
    • Helped develop one of the league’s most dominant rushing attacks
  • Returned to Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (Offensive Line Coach, 2018–2021)

Highlights & Accomplishments

• Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders (2008–2010)
• Super Bowl Champion with Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl XLVIII, 2013 season)
• Respected for his expertise in coaching offensive lines and the run game

Notable Facts

• Cable is often credited with helping develop several Pro Bowl offensive linemen during his career.
• Known for his tough, no-nonsense coaching style and ability to revamp underperforming offensive lines.

Throughout his long football journey, Tom Cable has been recognized as a dedicated coach with a strong reputation for building cohesive and physical offensive lines, contributing to both college and NFL teams’ success.

Legacy & Career Overview

Tom Cable: NFL Head Coach and Offensive Line Guru

Tom Cable is a well-respected figure in American football, known for his extensive experience as a coach, particularly as an offensive line specialist. Born on November 26, 1964, in Merced, California, Cable carved out a long and varied career in both college and professional football, earning a reputation for his tough coaching style and his ability to build powerful running games.

Early Life and Playing Career

Cable attended Snohomish High School in Washington, where he was a standout lineman. He went on to play college football at the University of Idaho from 1983 to
1986. As a four-year letterman and three-year starter at left guard, Cable earned All-Big Sky honors and helped lead the Vandals to multiple winning seasons. Although he did not have a prolonged playing career in the NFL, his time in college laid the foundation for his future in coaching.

Coaching Career: College Ranks

Cable’s coaching journey began soon after his playing days ended. He served as a graduate assistant at Idaho (1987-1988), then moved on to positions at San Diego State, California, and UNLV, usually working with the offensive line. In 1998, he was named the offensive coordinator at Colorado, before returning to his alma mater as head coach of the Idaho Vandals from 2000-
2003. Though his tenure as a head coach at Idaho was marked by challenges (with a record of 11-35), his reputation as an offensive line tactician continued to grow.

Transition to the NFL

Cable made the leap to the NFL in 2006 as the offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons. His work there soon drew attention, and by 2007, he joined the Oakland Raiders as their offensive line coach. In 2008, after the firing of Lane Kiffin, Cable was promoted to interim head coach. He eventually became the full-time head coach, a role he held through the 2010 season.

• Oakland Raiders Head Coach (2008-2010): Cable compiled a 17-27 record as head coach. Despite the team’s struggles, the Raiders showed signs of improvement, including an 8-8 season in 2010 that marked their first non-losing record in eight years. Cable was known for instilling discipline and toughness, and for his strong commitment to the running game.

Post-Raiders Coaching Career

After his departure from the Raiders, Cable joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 as assistant head coach and offensive line coach under Pete Carroll. His tenure with the Seahawks was highly successful:

• Super Bowl Champion: Cable was instrumental in developing Seattle’s dominant rushing attack, which powered the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII (2013). The Seahawks consistently ranked among the league leaders in rushing during his tenure.
• Player Development: Cable was credited with turning several late-round picks and undrafted players into effective offensive linemen, including J.R. Sweezy and Justin Britt, helping stabilize the Seahawks’ offensive front.

Cable remained with the Seahawks through the 2017 season, after which he returned to the Raiders (now in Oakland and later Las Vegas) as offensive line coach from 2018-
2021.

Coaching Philosophy and Legacy

Tom Cable is widely regarded as a tough, no-nonsense coach, particularly adept at teaching zone-blocking schemes and maximizing the talent of his linemen. His teams are known for physicality and an ability to establish the run game, regardless of personnel turnover. Cable’s adaptability and focus on fundamentals have made him a valued asset on multiple coaching staffs.

Accomplishments and Highlights

• Super Bowl XLVIII Champion (Seattle Seahawks, 2013)
• Head Coach, Oakland Raiders (2008-2010)
• Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach, Seattle Seahawks (2011-2017)
• Noted for developing offensive linemen and effective rushing attacks
• Head Coach, University of Idaho (2000-2003)

Personal Life and Interesting Facts

Cable is known for his intensity and passion for the game. His tenure has not been without controversy—including a highly publicized altercation with a Raiders assistant in 2009—but his football knowledge and coaching acumen have kept him in demand throughout the NFL. Off the field, Cable is married and has children, and he is respected by many players for his ability to motivate and develop talent.

Tom Cable’s journey through football has taken him from small-town Washington to the heights of the NFL, with a legacy built on hard work, player development, and an unwavering commitment to the fundamentals of the game. While he may never have been a household name as a head coach, his impact on the teams he’s coached—and on the many players he’s mentored—remains significant.