Rick Neuheisel is a name well known in American college football circles—not just as a former quarterback and coach, but now also as a media personality. Over decades, his career has spanned playing, coaching, controversy, and broadcasting. This article explores Rick Neuheisel’s estimated net worth, his family life (wife and sons), his relationship with UCLA, and his bracket / coaching legacy.
Early Life and Playing Career
Richard Gerald Neuheisel Jr. (commonly “Rick Neuheisel”) was born on February 7, 1961, in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended UCLA, where he walked on to the Bruins football team and eventually became starting quarterback. During his time at UCLA, he also handled placekicking duties early in his career, and he earned a degree (B.A., political science) in 1984.
After college, Neuheisel attempted to play professionally. He spent time in the USFL with the San Antonio Gunslingers, and also had a brief stint in the NFL as a replacement player during the 1987 strike, splitting time with the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While his playing career did not reach great heights at the professional level, he built a foundation for a coaching career through his deep connections, knowledge, and experiences at UCLA and beyond.
Coaching Career and Legacy
Early Coaching and Colorado
Neuheisel began his coaching ascent through assistant roles before landing his first head coaching appointment. He became head coach at the University of Colorado in 1995 and remained there through 1998. His tenure had ups and downs, including some NCAA infractions, but he made his mark in the Big 8 / early Big 12-era competition.
One of the most enduring moments tied to that Colorado era is “The Miracle at Michigan” game, where Colorado beat Michigan on a last-second pass—an iconic play that has been replayed and referenced in college football lore and is often attributed to the opportunistic style of Colorado’s offense under Neuheisel’s staff.
Washington and Rose Bowl Success
In January 1999, Neuheisel was hired as head coach of the University of Washington Huskies, replacing Jim Lambright. His starting salary was around $1 million annually, putting him among the top-paid coaches at the time.
During his Washington tenure (1999–2002), his most successful season was 2000 when Washington won the Pac-10 and defeated Purdue in the Rose Bowl. Washington finished 11–1 and ranked third in the nation. It marked a high point: Neuheisel became the first (and as of some years later, only) former Rose Bowl MVP to coach a winning Rose Bowl team.
However, controversy lurked. In 2003, Neuheisel was implicated in an NCAA investigation for participating in a neighborhood pool for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament (i.e. a bracket pool), an act that violated NCAA rules regarding gambling. He initially denied involvement, but later admitted to participating after internal reviews. The investigation, combined with internal politics at Washington, culminated in his firing in June 2003. The NCAA later did not formally sanction him, partly due to procedural issues and internal memos that misinterpreted the rules.
Neuheisel then sued the University of Washington and the NCAA, and a settlement awarded him $4.5 million, including cash and loan forgiveness. During the interim period, he volunteered as a high school coach in Seattle.
Return to UCLA as Head Coach
In 2008, Neuheisel returned to his alma mater, UCLA, taking over as head coach on a multi-year contract. His contract reportedly paid $1.25 million per year with possible incentives, which could add up to an additional half-million. His time at UCLA lasted from 2008 to 2011.
In that span, he produced moderate successes: bowl appearances, a Pac-10 (or Pac-12) South title, and occasional upset wins—but the consistency many expected did not fully materialize. On November 28, 2011, Neuheisel was dismissed. He was allowed to coach his final game in the Pac-12 Championship game, which UCLA lost to Oregon.
Broadcasting and Later Career
After leaving coaching, Neuheisel pivoted into broadcasting. He became a college football analyst, working for CBS. Over time, he developed a reputation as a commentator with deep tactical insight, given his years of experience on the coaching side.
As of late, his public profile remains high thanks to his media work, and also due to the rising coaching career of his son (Jerry, discussed below).
Net Worth & Earnings
Estimating net worth for coaches and media personalities is tricky; it depends on contracts, endorsements, investments, and liabilities. Many sources provide approximate figures, so any number should be taken as speculative.
According to one biographical site, as of 2025, Rick Neuheisel’s estimated net worth is ~$8 million. Another site (Celeb Tattler) suggests he has amassed wealth through decades of coaching, though they do not provide a hard number. Conversely, a less credible source suggests a much lower net worth between $100,000 and $1 million, likely underestimating based on partial data.
Given his tenures as head coach at major programs (Colorado, Washington, UCLA) and his broadcasting income, a mid to high single-digit million net worth is plausible. His settlement from the University of Washington ($4.5 million) also added significantly.
In terms of salary history: during his head coaching times, his pay frequently reached or exceeded $1 million with bonuses. After leaving direct coaching, his media and analyst roles likely continue to contribute to his income.
So while $8 million is a reasonable ballpark estimate in public domain terms, the true figure could differ (higher or lower) depending on private investments, real estate, taxes, and debt.
Personal Life: Wife, Sons, Family Dynamics
Wife
Rick Neuheisel is married to Susan (née Wilkinson/Ream). The two married on May 28, 1983. Over the years, Susan has largely stayed out of the limelight, but she’s been a stable presence in Neuheisel’s life across coaching moves, controversies, and transitions.
Sons
Rick and Susan Neuheisel have three sons:
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Jerry Neuheisel, born 1992
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Jack Neuheisel, born 1994
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Joe Neuheisel, born 1997
Jerry Neuheisel
Jerry has emerged as the most high-profile of the three, actively involved in coaching. He played quarterback at UCLA and also had stints in Japanese professional football. In 2024–2025, he has held roles on the UCLA staff, including wide receivers coach and later offensive coordinator / play caller. His coaching path is being followed keenly, especially by Bruins fans.
Jerry married Nicole Knox (later referred to as Nicole) in 2020. Nicole has appeared in media coverage around recent UCLA games (notably celebrations after big wins).
In October 2025, UCLA’s upset win over No. 7 Penn State brought attention to Jerry’s role as play caller, and fans and media highlighted the celebratory embrace between Jerry and his wife. His rise within college coaching is often depicted as a continuation of the family’s football lineage.
Joe Neuheisel
The youngest son, Joe, has taken a different athletic path—golf. In 2022, Joe Neuheisel won the 98th Arizona Amateur Championship, showing talent and competitiveness in a sport outside the football legacy of his family. Though less covered by media than Jerry, Joe’s achievements show the breadth of athleticism in the Neuheisel family.
Jack remains less publicly visible in athletics or coaching; there is less media coverage about his pursuits compared to Jerry and Joe.
UCLA Connection & Legacy
Rick Neuheisel’s relationship with UCLA is fundamental to understanding his career and identity.
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As a student-athlete, he walked on at UCLA and earned his way to starting quarterback, even handling kicking duties early.
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After years of coaching elsewhere, his return to his alma mater as head coach in 2008 was framed as a “homecoming.”
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His coaching tenure at UCLA may not have reached the high expectations in all respects, but he helped maintain competitiveness, recruited notable classes, and delivered memorable wins.
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Even after being relieved as head coach, his presence in UCLA’s football narrative remained via media coverage and his son’s emerging role on the staff.
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Jerry Neuheisel’s progression within UCLA coaching—culminating in play-calling duties—deepens the UCLA family tie and cements the Neuheisel name in Bruin football lore.
Thus, UCLA is more than just where Rick played; it’s a constant thread in his and his family’s football journey.
“Bracket” Episode & NCAA Compliance
One of the most infamous moments in Rick Neuheisel’s career involves the NCAA bracket pool scandal during his time at Washington.
In 2003, Neuheisel participated in a neighborhood pool for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament (i.e., filling out an office or local bracket). At that time, NCAA rules generally prohibited coaches from wagering on college sports, even via seemingly innocuous bracket pools. Though the dollar amounts were small, participation was a violation. Initially, Neuheisel denied involvement, but investigations revealed he had filled out brackets and placed bets on games (though not on his own teams). The disclosure led to internal investigations by Washington, pressure from the NCAA, and eventually Neuheisel’s dismissal.
The NCAA infractions committee ultimately declined to impose a show-cause penalty on Neuheisel, due in part to procedural missteps and internal memos that incorrectly interpreted bracket pools as permissible previously. Still, the “bracket” episode remains a cautionary tale in the world of college sports governance, as even minor gambling involvement can jeopardize reputations and careers.
Because of that incident, Neuheisel’s name is often linked with “bracket” when people search for “Rick Neuheisel bracket” or “Rick Neuheisel gambling scandal.” From an SEO perspective, those searches often converge on the 2003 tournament pool controversy.
Coaching Style, Philosophy & Impact
Rick Neuheisel’s coaching style reflected versatility, risk-taking, and offensive ambition.
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On offense, his teams often sought to push the ball and create scoring opportunities rather than conservative conservatism. This approach helped produce high-profile moments (e.g. “Miracle at Michigan”).
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He emphasized discipline, academic accountability, and character in recruiting. While controversies happened (e.g., at Washington) he tried to maintain standards.
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His experiences as a player, coach, and administrator informed his views as a broadcaster: he frequently offers tactical breakdowns, recruiting insights, and historical context in his commentary.
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Through his son Jerry’s rise, Neuheisel’s influence may continue indirectly. Many current and former players, assistants, and colleagues view him as a mentor.
Thus, his impact isn’t just in wins and losses, but in shaping people, systems, and narratives.
Net Worth & Media Presence in 2025
By 2025, Rick Neuheisel has solidified his place as a respected college football analyst. His broadcasting roles, combined with his past coaching contracts and legal settlement, contribute to his financial foundation.
While $8 million is cited in some public estimates as his net worth, it’s plausible he owns real estate, has investment portfolios, or residual media deals not publicly disclosed.
Moreover, his coaching reputation, name recognition, and family connection to active coaching (Jerry) keep him relevant in media cycles.
