Marc Trestman Net Worth

What is Marc Trestman's Net Worth and Salary?

Marc Trestman is an American professional football coach who has a net worth of $7 million. Over a career that has spanned the NFL, Canadian Football League, and even international leagues, Marc Trestman built a reputation as a "quarterback whisperer," working with stars such as Rich Gannon, Bernie Kosar, and Anthony Calvillo. His most visible NFL role came as head coach of the Chicago Bears, where he was hired in 2013 to revitalize the offense but lasted only two seasons. In Canada, he enjoyed much greater success, guiding the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts to multiple Grey Cup titles. Trestman's story is unusual among modern coaches: while he never became a long-term NFL fixture, he carved out a unique legacy as a strategist whose influence reached across borders.

Early Life

Marc Trestman was born in 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A standout quarterback at St. Louis Park High School, he continued his career at the University of Minnesota before transferring to Minnesota State University Moorhead. After college, he briefly enrolled in law school but soon shifted back to football, realizing that his analytical mind was better suited for the complexities of coaching.

Early Coaching Career in the NFL

Trestman's first NFL opportunity came with his hometown Minnesota Vikings in 1985 as a running backs coach. He quickly transitioned into quarterback development roles and by the late 1980s was with the Cleveland Browns, where he worked with Bernie Kosar. In 1995, he joined the San Francisco 49ers as offensive coordinator, bringing his version of the West Coast offense to a team still brimming with talent from the Joe Montana and Steve Young era.

His most notable NFL run came with the Oakland Raiders in the early 2000s. As offensive coordinator, Trestman helped transform Rich Gannon into one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks. In 2002, Gannon won the NFL MVP award, and the Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII. Though the team lost to Jon Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Trestman's role in shaping Gannon's career earned him wide respect.

Success in the Canadian Football League

In 2008, Trestman made a bold career move by accepting the head coaching job of the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. Many viewed it as a step down from the NFL, but Trestman quickly proved otherwise. In his first year, he led the Alouettes to the Grey Cup. The following two seasons, he won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, with quarterback Anthony Calvillo putting up record-breaking numbers in Trestman's system.

Trestman's success in Montreal established him as one of the CFL's elite coaches and revived interest from NFL franchises.

Chicago Bears Tenure

In 2013, the Chicago Bears hired Trestman as head coach, hoping he could modernize their offense and develop Jay Cutler into a franchise quarterback. The results were mixed. In his first season, the Bears finished second in the league in scoring, with wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery thriving. However, the defense collapsed, and Chicago missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record.

The following year was a disaster. Locker room strife, inconsistent quarterback play, and a porous defense resulted in a 5–11 season. Trestman was fired after just two years, and the Bears quickly moved on, making his NFL head coaching tenure one of the shortest in franchise history.

Return to Canada and Later Roles

Trestman returned to the CFL in 2017 as head coach of the Toronto Argonauts. In his first season, he led the team to a Grey Cup title, proving once again that his offensive mind was particularly well suited to Canadian football. He remained with Toronto until 2019.

Outside the NFL and CFL, Trestman has also coached in the XFL and worked as a consultant and analyst. His coaching career has taken him across borders and leagues, making him one of the most eclectic figures in modern football.

Contracts, Salaries & Career Earnings

When Trestman signed with the Bears in 2013, his deal was reported to be worth between $2–3 million annually. Though relatively modest compared to the league's highest-paid coaches, it was a substantial jump from CFL salaries, where head coaches typically earn $500,000 to $750,000 per year. His championship success in Montreal and Toronto likely came with performance bonuses, but the financial gap between the leagues remained vast.

Over the course of his career, Trestman's total earnings are estimated at $10–15 million. While far below the fortunes earned by NFL mainstays, his pay reflects his unique career path — one that balanced short-lived NFL opportunities with lasting success in Canada.

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