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The 2020 NFL season kicks off tonight and Eastern Illinois football will once again be well represented in the league with former players in playing, coaching and administrative capacities.
 
EIU will once again be the only collegiate program to open the season with a former player serving as a starting quarterback (Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers), head coach (Sean Payton, Saints) and general manager (Ryan Pace, Bears).
 
In the season opener, former EIU defensive lineman Tim Kelly will begin his second season as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans as they face the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
 
Listed below are the EIU connections to the NFL for the 2020 season.
 
Jimmy Garoppolo enters his seventh season in the NFL and his fourth season with the San Francisco 49ers.  Last season the quarterback led the team to the NFC Championship and appearance in the Super Bowl.  The 49ers open the season on Sept. 13 facing the Arizona Cardinals. 
 
Kamu Grugier-Hill enters his fifth season in the NFL as the linebacker / special teams standout joined the Miami Dolphins for the upcoming season.  Grugier-Hill spent his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles winning a Super Bowl.  The Dolphins open the season on Sept. 13 playing the New England Patriots.
 
Alexander Hollins enters his second season in the NFL as the wide receiver plays for the Minnesota Vikings.  He was signed to the practice squad following the 2020 NFL camp.  Last season Hollins was activated to the roster late in the year and appeared in the Vikings playoff games.  The Vikings open the season on Sept. 13 playing the Green Bay Packers.
 
Five other former EIU players will once again be in coaching or administrative roles this season.
 
Sean Payton returns as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.  Payton has served as the Saints head coach since 2006 including a Super Bowl win.  The Saints open the 2020 season on Sept. 13 playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
 
Tim Kelly returns as the offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans after the team made the AFC playoffs last season.  The Texans open the 2020 season on Sept. 10 visiting the Kansas City Chiefs.
 
Ryan Pace returns as the general manager of the Chicago Bears.  The Bears made the NFCS playoffs two seasons ago.  The Bears open the season on Sept. 13 against the Detroit Lions.
 
Nick Kray returns as the administrative assistant to the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers.  Kray enters his fourth season with the organization.
 
Stephen Bravo-Brown enters his first season as a defensive quality control coach for the Cleveland Browns.
 
In addition the following former EIU assistant coaches will be returning to the NFL this season.
 
Michael Hodges with the New Orleans Saints.  Nick Caley with the New England Patriots.  DeMarcus Covington with the New England Patriots.  Matt Smiley with the Buffalo Bills.  Bobby Babich with the Buffalo Bills.  Clancy Barone with the Chicago Bears.