12/21/24
July 30, 2007
Bill Walsh Traded To Angels: Bill Walsh, legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers, joins the list of sports names to pass away in recent days. He was 75.
posted by TheQatarian to football at 02:34 PM - 28 comments
RIP Coach Walsh. You helped turn an ordinary franchise into a Champion. Even a Cowboy fan could admire your genius.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:55 PM on July 30, 2007
Thus passes one of the greats.
posted by trox at 02:58 PM on July 30, 2007
RIP Mr. Walsh.
posted by dvj2003 at 02:59 PM on July 30, 2007
There was a time when I could not stand Walsh or Montana...of course I am a Cowboys fan so it wasn't too hard. That being said, I'm not sure any other coach has done more for the modern era of football then did Bill Walsh. His innovations on offense were vital in launching football toward becoming the #1 American sport. His impact will continue to be felt through the accomplishments of his many assistants who themselves have gone on to be some of the best coaches in the game. His corporate approach to coaching was also innovative and his teams almost always reflected poise and classiness. The NFL has lost another great one. Damn you cancer! on preview, what Texan said.
posted by ampto11 at 03:02 PM on July 30, 2007
Growing up a 49ers fan, Bill Walsh brought me many a happy moment. If only he could guide the niners this year from above.
posted by Ricardo at 03:06 PM on July 30, 2007
What a fracking day! Bill Walsh and (completely non-sports) Ingmar Bergman both gone, what huge losses. Two men who were immense innovators and developers of talent in their respective fields, who made their games different.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:15 PM on July 30, 2007
Not sure how to directly link to it, but this article has a link (in the top sidebar -- click "Launch") to a graphical representation of the Bill Walsh coaching tree. It's pretty amazing to see the breadth of his impact on the modern NFL, and that piece is four or five years old.
posted by holden at 03:18 PM on July 30, 2007
Thanks Coach, Thank You for all you've done both on and off the field!!!!!! GOD Bless...
posted by tommygator at 03:41 PM on July 30, 2007
I could never stand the 49rs but always respected Montana, Rice, Young and especially Bill Walsh. During the 80's, no matter how I felt about them, it was fun to watch an average team become a force. I do believe that Walsh made most of it possible with a great coaching style. Rest In Peace...
posted by melcarek69 at 04:16 PM on July 30, 2007
Great link Holden. It's incredible to see how Walsh has impacted a large amount of coaches around the NFL, several of which can be considered top tier coaches.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:22 PM on July 30, 2007
As a life-long Niner fan, this is a death in the family and a major loss to football. May the West Coast Offense live forever.
posted by irunfromclones at 04:23 PM on July 30, 2007
.
posted by tommybiden at 04:43 PM on July 30, 2007
.
posted by bolo165 at 05:11 PM on July 30, 2007
.
posted by Howard_T at 05:23 PM on July 30, 2007
.
posted by dviking at 05:44 PM on July 30, 2007
Walsh is the best ever,period
posted by mars1 at 06:11 PM on July 30, 2007
As a life-long Niner fan, this is a death in the family and a major loss to football. May the West Coast Offense live forever. As an N.F.L. football fan, this is a death in the family and a major loss to football. May the West Coast Offence live forever.
posted by tommybiden at 06:37 PM on July 30, 2007
I grew up watching the 49ers and Montana win all those Super Bowls. There's never been a classier organization, and the Niners were among the last of the old-school dynasties. We'll never see this again. RIP Bill, we'll miss you more than you'll ever know.
posted by NerfballPro at 10:50 PM on July 30, 2007
r. i .p coach walsh i watched your 49ers beat my rams team many many times atruely great coach you will be missed
posted by scame at 11:08 PM on July 30, 2007
.
posted by wingnut4life at 02:55 AM on July 31, 2007
R.I.P. Mr. Walsh. Holden great link, I was thinking of it as soon as I saw this FPP. Truly a sad day for football and its fans everywhere.
posted by jojomfd1 at 03:00 AM on July 31, 2007
.
posted by texasred at 05:35 AM on July 31, 2007
Sad. Bill Walsh was a great coach but I'm also a Cowboys fan, therefore I'm torn but Walsh was a classy gentleman. R.I.P. Coach .
posted by BornIcon at 06:37 AM on July 31, 2007
See ya Bill. I'll miss you.
posted by Ironhead at 11:01 AM on July 31, 2007
.
posted by THX-1138 at 06:10 PM on July 31, 2007
If it wasn't for Bill Walsh, football played in the 80s & 90s wouldn't have been the same. Not only did his team win three Super Bowls, his successor won another two, and his protegees (Holmgren, Shanahan, Gruden) won another four. That's not to mention other places that were at or near the top (Reid in Philly, Green in Minnesota) and the rivalries that were created (Redskins/49ers, Cowboys/49ers, Bears/49ers, Cowboys/Packers, 49ers/Giants). If any one person was responsible for NFC dominance for two decades, it was Bill Walsh. And, he did it with class.
posted by Sonny60651 at 12:33 PM on August 01, 2007
If Michael McCambridge's book "America's Game" has it right Walsh should've been an NFL head coach long before San Francisco came calling. Thank you Paul Brown. .
posted by Newbie Walker at 03:22 AM on August 03, 2007
I've pretty much about had it with cancer. Walsh and Montana together made it near impossible to hate a dynasty -- no small feat. And his is a legacy that I think will endure for some time.