John Peterson (American football)

John Peterson
United States Football League (2022)
Position:	Director of player personnel
Personal information
Born:	September 26, 1948 (age 76); Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Career information
College:	Eastern Michigan B.S. (1970); Michigan State M.A. (1971); Utah Ph.D. (1976)
Career history
As a coach:
	Highland HS (IN) (1971–1972); Assistant; Northern Illinois (1973–1974); Graduate assistant; Westminster (UT) (1975–1976); Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator; Frostburg State (1977–1981); Head coach; Holy Cross (1981–1982); Assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator; Bemidji State (1982–1989); Head coach;
As an executive:
	Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL) (1989–1990); Director of player personnel; San Antonio Riders (WLAF) (1991–1992); Vice president/general manager; Toronto Argonauts (CFL) (1994–1996); Director of player personnel; Seattle Seahawks (NFL) (1997–2008); Area college scout; Carolina Panthers (NFL) (2008–2016); Area college scout; BC Lions (CFL) (2016–2017); Player personnel evaluator; San Antonio Commanders (AAF) (2019); Director of football operations; New York Guardians (XFL) (2020); Director of football operations; The Spring League (TSL) (2021; Senior advisor for football operations; United States Football League (2022) (USFL) (2022 – present); Director of player personnel;
Career highlights and awards
	C.O. Brocato NFL Scout of the Year Award (2010); Ourlads Scouting Hall of Fame;
Head coaching record
Career:	44–65–3 (.406)

John E. Peterson (born September 25, 1948) is an American football executive and former coach. He was the sixth head football coach at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, serving for four seasons, from 1977 to 1981, and compiling a record of 14–25.^[1] Peterson later served as head coach at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989, compiling a record of 30–40–3.^[2]

After 18 years in college football, Peterson has spent 39 years in scouting and personnel in professional football: in the Canadian Football League (CFL), World League of American Football (WLAF), National Football League (NFL), the Alliance of American Football (AAF), the XFL (2020), The Spring League (TSL), and is now working as the Director of Player Personnel for the United States Football League (2022) (USFL).^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]