Posted on 07/30/2007 1:28:49 PM PDT by STARWISE
Bill Walsh, the groundbreaking football coach who won three Super Bowls and perfected the ingenious schemes that became known as the West Coast offense during a Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 75.
Walsh died at his Bay Area home early Monday following a long battle with leukemia, according to Stanford University, where he served as coach and athletic director.
Walsh didn’t become an NFL head coach until 47, and he spent just 10 seasons on the San Francisco sideline. But he left an indelible mark on the United States’ most popular sport, building the once-woebegone 49ers into the most successful team of the 1980s with his innovative offensive strategies and teaching techniques.
The soft-spoken native Californian also produced a legion of coaching disciples that’s still growing today. Many of his former assistants went on to lead their own teams, handing down Walsh’s methods and schemes to dozens more coaches in a tree with innumerable branches.
*snip*
He was named the NFL’s coach of the year in 1981 and 1984.
Few men did more to shape the look of football into the 21st century. His cerebral nature and often-brilliant stratagems earned him the nickname “The Genius” well before his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. | Walsh twice served as the 49ers’ general manager, and George Seifert led San Francisco to two more Super Bowl titles after Walsh left the sideline. Walsh also coached Stanford during two terms over five seasons.
Even a short list of Walsh’s adherents is stunning. Seifert, Mike Holmgren, Dennis Green, Sam Wyche, Ray Rhodes and Bruce Coslet all became NFL head coaches after serving on Walsh’s San Francisco staffs, and Tony Dungy played for him.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Sad ping
I’m a Cowboy fan, but you have to respect what he did as a coach. Condolences to the Walsh family.
Even though his 9ers beat my Saints twice a year for many years, I loved watching Bill’s team play. A man of grace and charm, who will forever be known to my S.F. 9er fan friends as simply “the Genius.”
Bill Walsh was part of a great era in football. While he coached the 49’ers it was tough as hell to beat them.
I was living in San Francisco during that time (and after), and Bill Walsh made himself available whenever possible for community outreach, charity events, and encouraged his players to remember the fans who supported them through the lean years as well.
I always thought the team was an extension of Bill’s heart.
A sad NFL ping.
I was living in the SF area during the Walsh years as well. A wonderful man. A class act. A great team. RIP Coach Walsh.
And the SuperBowl parties! Some lasted for days. So did the hangovers...
Those days are long gone; and now so is he.
RIP, Coach Walsh. Another icon passes..
... from Bud Grant land ;-)
Classy Coaches always inspire!
RIP for a man of character.
I will forever remember that last 2 minute drive from their own two-yard line to win I-forget-which-Superbowl...Joe Montana to Jerry Rice, line up, repeat.
Same here, sad.
George Halas
Vince Lombardi
Tom Landry
Bill Walsh
Tickets are at the Will Call Window next to the Pearly Gates.
All you gotta do is believe.....
Truly a golden era for the NFL...
Always admired his coaching abilities.....even though I wasn't a 49'er fan.
The 49'ers whooped up on my Ram's too many times to count.....
sigh.....
RIP
R.I.P. coach.
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