Bill Walsh

Bill Walsh, who guided the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl championships and six NFC West division titles in his 10 years as head coach, has died at the age of 75.

Walsh died early Monday following a long battle with leukemia, according to Stanford University, where he served as coach and athletic director.

Bill Walsh has shaped today's NFL arguably more than any other person. He created the West Coast Offense, formed the 49er dynasty, and was the coach for some of the greatest players in the history of the NFL.

Not only did he do all of that, but his philosophy and playing style were carried on by his assistant coaches.

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. Most of his former assistants passed on Walsh's structures and strategies to a new generation of coaches, including Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, Andy Reid, Pete Carroll, Gary Kubiak, Steve Mariucci and Jeff Fisher.

That list includes 7 Super Bowl wins and 11 Super Bowl appearences, and 1 and a 1/2 NCAA National Championships.

Pretty impressive for a guy that coached for only 10 years.

Link to story.