Bill Parcells' mentorship with Jacoby Brissett dates back to high school

Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells has played an outsized role in the life of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, according to a report from ESPN, with a mentorship that stretches back to Brissett's high school years.

The relationship between the two men goes well beyond football strategy. ESPN reports that Parcells has guided Brissett through a range of personal and professional decisions over the years, developing the kind of bond that Parcells has described in terms usually reserved for family.

Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach who built his reputation on developing quarterbacks and demanding accountability from his players, has long been known for staying close to players well after their playing days intersected with his coaching career. His continued presence in Brissett's life reflects that pattern, with the veteran coach remaining a trusted voice as Brissett has moved between NFL rosters and eventually into a starting role.

For Brissett, who has carved out a reputation across multiple NFL stops as a steady, well-respected presence in opposing locker rooms, the guidance from Parcells appears to have been a constant through the ups and downs of a career spent largely in backup and bridge-starter roles before his latest opportunity with the Cardinals.

Parcells' coaching career, which included stints with the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, produced a long line of players who have spoken about his lasting influence on their lives. Brissett's account, as relayed by ESPN, adds another chapter to that legacy, underscoring how Parcells' approach to coaching has always extended beyond Xs and Os.