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From Edina to the Gophers to a top NFL job, Nick Rallis has always been studying football

Nick Rallis is the NFL's youngest coordinator, having been hired to oversee the Arizona Cardinals defense at age 29. He turned 30 in July and has been a football coach at any level for only six full seasons.

To better understand that rocket ascension, Rallis' family finds it instructive to know a few stories.

Start with childhood. The three Rallis boys of Edina — Matt, Mike and Nick — played the "Madden" video game in franchise mode, which allows users to manage a team over multiple seasons.

Nick built his San Diego Chargers offense into a passing juggernaut back when NFL offenses still catered to the running game.