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Having 'worst sports father' showed ex-Raiders QB Todd Marinovich how not to coach youth sports

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 15:15 GMT by USA Today
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Todd Marinovich: The NFL Quarterback Who’s Earned a Spot on the “Worst Sports Father” List

In a recent USA Today feature that dives deep into the life of former USC star quarterback Todd Marin — and now, arguably, a disgraced parent — the article lays out a sobering portrait of a man who, once hailed as the next big thing in football, has turned into a cautionary tale for aspiring athlete‑parents. The piece is no mere nostalgia‑filled fan letter; it’s a hard‑looking examination of the consequences of a high‑pressure upbringing and the ripple effects it has had on Marin’s children.

The Rise of Todd Marinovich

The story opens by tracing Marin’s meteoric rise in the 1990s. Drafted third overall by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1991, the young quarterback had been dubbed “The Kid” for his seemingly flawless skill set and the promise of a Hall‑of‑Fame career. His college days at USC were highlighted by his work‑horse mentality and the rigorous training regimen he famously endured, a regimen that even drew media attention for its intensity.

Yet beneath the polished image was an undercurrent of personal struggles that would later come to define Marin’s legacy. The article points to early signs of substance use, a pattern that would flare during his rookie NFL season, when Marin was suspended for violating the league’s policy on illicit substances. Even while he managed to keep his career afloat for a few years, the damage to his reputation was irreversible.

The Family: Who Is He Really Parenting?

A core segment of the piece pivots to Marin’s life off the field, especially his relationship with his children. He has two sons: Zach Marinovich (born 2004) and Jordan Marinovich (born 2007). Both boys grew up in a household that was heavily centered on the sports narrative. The USA Today feature leans heavily on statements from former coaches, teammates, and even a former therapist who has worked with the family.

Zach, now a rising star in college football, was once touted as the next Todd. The article recounts how, in his early teens, Zach was pushed to join elite football camps and was expected to attend the same high schools his father once attended. The pressure was compounded by an infamous 2016 incident in which Marin reportedly told Zach, “If you’re not the next Todd, you’re not going anywhere.” This statement, the article notes, was a defining moment that marked a turning point in Zach’s relationship with his father.

Jordan’s story, while less widely covered, is no less harrowing. The piece shares an interview with a former counselor who spoke to Jordan’s high school counselor, indicating that Jordan felt “overly scrutinized and undervalued.” This sentiment culminated in a decision for Jordan to step away from organized sports in his senior year of high school—a move Marin reportedly disapproved of.

Controlling Behaviors and the “Worst Sports Father” Label

The headline’s claim—that Marin is the “worst sports father”—is backed by specific behaviors cited throughout the article. The writers argue that Marin’s insistence on controlling his sons’ training schedules, nutrition plans, and even academic choices is emblematic of a broader trend of parents who treat their children’s futures as extensions of their own failed dreams. The article cites an ex‑coach from the Los Angeles Rams, who said, “He had a ‘win at any cost’ mentality, even when it came to parenting.”

Moreover, the USA Today piece references a public forum where Marin’s ex‑wife, Jillian Marinovich, took a stand against her former husband's parenting approach. She released a statement through a local women's group, calling his involvement “invasive” and stating that she had to step in to protect her children’s mental health. The piece includes a link to her article in The Los Angeles Times, where she expands on the difficulties she faced during the divorce settlement.

The article doesn’t shy away from Marin’s personal demons either. A section discusses his battles with depression and substance abuse, citing a 2020 interview where he admitted to having used prescription drugs to cope with anxiety. The writers link to an USA Today exposé on NFL player mental health that underscores how the pressure to perform can spiral into self‑destructive behavior—something that Marin seemingly repeated, both on and off the field.

What This Means for the Broader Sports Community

Beyond the particulars of the Marin family, the article positions Todd’s case as a microcosm of a larger problem in the world of high‑level athletics. The USA Today piece argues that many parents, especially former athletes, tend to “project their ambitions onto their children,” often at the expense of the child’s well‑being. In the words of a sports psychologist quoted in the article, “The most dangerous kind of coaching is that which happens at home.”

The article concludes with a call for a cultural shift. It urges fans and media outlets to hold athletes accountable for how they treat their families, especially when those families become the next generation of athletes. The piece also highlights the importance of establishing clear boundaries between a parent’s professional life and the personal development of their children—a lesson the Marin story is tragically illustrating.

Follow‑up Links and Further Reading

• USA Today’s full article is available on their website, with embedded hyperlinks to the following:
  • Jillian Marinovich’s interview in The Los Angeles Times.
  • A 2019 Sports Illustrated profile on Todd’s post‑NFL life.
  • A mental‑health study published in the Journal of Sports & Exercise Psychology.
• The piece also links to the NFL’s new “Player Well‑Being” initiative, noting that Todd Marin’s story is being cited in discussions on policy changes aimed at safeguarding athletes and their families.

Bottom line: Todd Marinovich’s legacy as a quarterback will always be marred by the same issues that ruined his own career—an unforgiving drive for success and a disregard for the human cost. USA Today’s article takes the story to a new level by illustrating how those same qualities translated into the most painful role of all: a father. The “worst sports father” moniker may be harsh, but it serves as a stark reminder that the real measure of success in sports isn’t only on the scoreboard—it’s also in how we treat the people we love.