D2 football may not be the highest level of competition in the NCAA, but there are still many connections from the level to the FBS where most of the best programs, players, and coaches reside.
RELATED: Updated D2 Football Rankings
COMPARE: Pit Any D2 Team Against Any Other in the Comparison Tool
In particular, head coaches at the FBS level have often made the jump from Division 2 where they played in college to prominent jobs at some of the best institutions in the country.
Take a look at some coaches you may recognize, but might not have known came from D2. Next time you are talking about college football, you can bring up some of these factoids and show off your newfound knowledge.
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| Coach | Current FBS Job | D2 School Attended | Year(s) Played | Position Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Norvell | Memphis | Central Arkansas* | 2001-2005 | WR |
| Willie Fritz | Tulane | Pittsburg State | 1978-1981 | DB |
| Philip Montgomery | Tulsa | Tarleton State | 1990-1993 | QB, FS |
| Steve Addazio | Boston College | Central Connecticut | 1978-1981 | N/A |
| David Beaty | Kansas | Lindenwood | 1990-1993 | WR |
| James Franklin | Penn State | East Stroudsburg | 1991-1994 | QB |
| Brian Kelly | Notre Dame | Assumption | 1979-1982 | LB |
| Mike Jinks | Bowling Green | Angelo State | 1990-1993 | QB |
| Todd Graham | Arizona State | East Central | 1983-1986 | DB |
| Gus Malzahn | Auburn | Henderson State | 1987-1989 | WR |
| Butch Jones | Tennessee | Ferris State | 1987-1989 | N/A |
| Mark Hudspeth | Louisiana-Lafayette | Delta State | 1987-1991 | QB, S |
NEXT: Every D2 Football Player To Make Initial 2017 NFL Rosters
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