Today, a true football legend passed away. Bill Walsh, the man responsible for the great 49er teams of the 1980′s and early 90′s, finally succumbed after a long bout with Leukemia at the age of 75. As I’m sure you already know, he was one of the groundbreaking minds of the modern NFL. The father of the West Coast offense. The seed that started the famous “Walsh Coaching Tree” which includes Mike Holmgren, George Seifert, Dennis Green, Sam Wyche, Ray Rhodes, Bruce Coslet, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, Andy Reid, Pete Carroll, Gary Kubiak, and Jeff Fisher. He even popularized NFL staples like the laminated play sheets and the idea of scripting the first 15-25 plays of a game.
He created the 49er teams I grew up loving. I didn’t understand how good I and all 49er fans had it until he was gone. I wasn’t around for the ineptitude that preceded his ten year tenure with San Francisco. The season before he started, in 1978, the Niners had only two wins. In Walsh’s third year, the city by the bay had their first of five NFL championships that he was responsible for. I grew up in the bay area and the 49ers were the first sports franchise I ever followed. So, you know…this isn’t an unbiased post.
Bill Walsh, born in 1931, did even more for the state of the game than invent the West Coast offense. He started the Minority Coaching Fellowship program which invited minority coaches to attend the 49ers training camp, in an effort to create more opportunities for them. Later, the NFL adopted the program league wide after the success that was seen with Walsh’s pilot program. Marvin Lewis and Tony Dungy were two coaches who came from the Fellowship.
In his ten seasons at the helm in San Francisco, Walsh compiled a record of 102-63-1. That included a 10-4 playoff record. He won his first Super Bowl only two years after the team won two games. It was the fastest turnaround for a Super Bowl champion in NFL history. “The Genius” will be missed, but he will always be remembered for his innumerable accomplishments.
RIP Coach.
In depth look from the San Francisco Chronicle
“You’re my boy, Coach!!! You’re my boy!!!” Much love goes out to the Niners organization & Coach Walsh. Keep it up Lunchbox!
“You’re my boy, Coach!!! You’re my boy!!!” Much love goes out to the Niners organization & Coach Walsh. Keep it up Lunchbox!
Big ups to Bill Walsh the true OG (Original Genius). He has paved the way for future 49er Dynasties! Go 9ers! !
Big ups to Bill Walsh the true OG (Original Genius). He has paved the way for future 49er Dynasties! Go 9ers! !