News: Bill Walsh Passes Away at 75

by Fantasy Junkie on Jul 30, 2007 12:32 PM PDT in News Comment 18 comments

Link Update: Make sure to visit fellow SB Nation blog, Niners Nation, for their take on what Bill Walsh meant to football.

I know this is a Warriors and basketball site, but we also cover major stories that occur in the Bay Area. Today is a sad day for not only Niner fans, but football fans all over. Bill Walsh, one of the greatest coaches ever, passed away today at age 75 after battling leukemia.

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.

Walsh went 102-63-1 with the 49ers, winning 10 of his 14 postseason games along with six division titles. He was named the NFL's coach of the year in 1981 and 1984.

And 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.

I grew up a Niner fan and lived in a fanatical 49er household. Bill Walsh truly put the 49ers on the map and then some. He built the beginnings of one of the greatest sports dynasties ever. His innovative offense revolutionized the game while his ability to select top players (Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott to name a few) in the draft allowed him to run the type of team he wanted. What I can say is that much of the reason I am a football fan is because of Bill Walsh and what he did for the Niners, football, and the entire Bay Area. Truly a sad day.

All of us at GSoM would like to thank Bill for everything he did for the Niners and the Bay Area in general. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of The Genius.

Thanks to ThermoElectro for also posting this in the diaries: RIP Bill Walsh

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Comments

Damn...what a loss for the sport.

RIP Coach....the 6th one will be for you.

by esco41510 on Jul 30, 2007 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sad

very sad, he made the 9ers winners for so long.

by djchuckdeez on Jul 30, 2007 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

R.I.P. Bill

leukemia is a terrible illness. I lost my best friend to it in 2001 and it took a strain on everyone. i wish m condolences to him and his family. Growin' up in the bay, you mean a lot to all of us and what you've done for the sport. Rest.

by Tony.psd on Jul 30, 2007 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

winner for the ages

will always remember the 'niners glory days and the brilliant mind who got them their. RIP coach

by Anomaly on Jul 30, 2007 12:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill, you were the man.

My first sports memory was the Niners carrying Bill Walsh off the field at the Pontiac Silver Dome in 1981 after the Niners beat the Bengals in their first Super Bowl. If it weren't for that, the sports bug may have never bit me. Bill Walsh was the man and its a shame he died so young, but man, did he lead a great life. I got to see him in Monterey when I lived there and he was a really sweet man. He would say hello to you and answer your questions when you would inquire about something-all around great man. You will be missed Bill!

by gabezgsw on Jul 30, 2007 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sad day

this man was the standard for all bay area sports teams to try and emulate.

really sad to see him go.

by dso on Jul 30, 2007 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

RIP to the legend who

put the 49ers on the map! Growing up in the bay in the midst of the championships, I admired his hard work and gentle nature he displayed in public. I remember all those Volvo commercials he used to do.

www.TRACKjams.com

by MANUTEs BOLs on Jul 30, 2007 1:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill was my hero

Man, this sucks. Never was a niners fan, but I got addicted to football strategy thanks to the folks at EA sports. I only appreciated Bill's contribution recently. He defied the old timey logic. In doing so he turned football into an exciting, cerebral, and beautiful game. Long live his legacy.

by sdbayok on Jul 30, 2007 2:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill set the standard

Bill Walsh will be missed. He gave us so many moments of joy thru the years. Yes I was there for the 2-14 season and the magical Superbowl ride of 1981. It was pretty awesome. When the niners won the superbowl, not only were we screaming and yelling in our house; but you could hear it up and down the streets in the neighborhood.

Besides the innovative offense, he had a great eye for talent--whether you have it and when your time was up. Some players disliked him for the latter but he was usually right. He brought class not only to the Niners but to SF as well.

by Funaddict on Jul 30, 2007 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

RIP

I missed his run with the Niners by a bit more than a decade, but he was truly one of the greatest coaches in the game. Thanks for taking the 49ers back to relevance and beyond.

by Caught Backcourt on Jul 30, 2007 2:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It a sad day to be niners fan

This man was and still is the one of the greatest mind in football. Don't worry Bill, we going to win the 6th ring soon and were going to have one with your name on it. RIP coach.

by warriorfan4life on Jul 30, 2007 3:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

rip, coach walsh

I feel especially grateful for his recent visit to the Raider's mini-camp. The guy was pure class and professionalism.

by Jeremy Belvins on Jul 30, 2007 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember how

...excited the campus was when Bill Walsh came back to Stanford. Also, I didn't realize till I looked it up just now, but he started coaching in Fremont and worked at Stanford AND Cal.

Thanks, Coach. You made my mom so happy. :)

Be a drinsch!

by Dactyllic on Jul 30, 2007 4:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

rip bill walsh

Thanks for the memories.

by GameSix on Jul 30, 2007 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

a very sad day

He was a very charismatic man. You could just tell he was full of life and he had a fighting spirit. I was ecstatic when he came back to rebuild the 49er's. My thoughts and condolences go out to the Walsh family.

RIP Mr. Walsh

by ballerjl on Jul 30, 2007 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs