Tollner attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he played as a quarterback on their 1960 Mustangs team that suffered a plane crash in Toledo, Ohio, in which 22 people of the 45 people on board were killed, including 16 of his teammates.

His Aztec teams posted eight-win seasons in 1995 and 1996, the first time it reached that level in consecutive years since 1977.

[6] In late 2006, he was listed[7] as a potential candidate for the head coaching opening for the University of San Diego that later went to Ron Caragher.

In early 2008 Tollner was named quarterbacks coach/assistant to the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers to get a permanent role in the organization again.

On December 30, 2008, Tollner was dismissed from the 49ers along with running backs coach Tony Nathan and offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

On February 4, 2009, Tollner was introduced as a part of the Oakland Raiders' coaching staff as he was named the passing game coordinator of the team.

When Hue Jackson was hired as the Raiders head coach he dismissed Tollner and several others from their positions.