George Wilson (American football coach)

George William Wilson, Sr. (February 3, 1914 – November 23, 1978) was a professional football end and later a coach for the National Football League (NFL)'s Detroit Lions and the American Football League (AFL)'s Miami Dolphins. Wilson attended and played football at Northwestern University. He went undrafted in 1937, before being signed by the Chicago Bears. Wilson played for 10 seasons with the Bears, compiling overall record of 111 pass receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. He was a member of the Bears during their five appearances in the National Football League Championship Game from 1940–1943 and 1946, playing in the 1943 championship. Additionally, he was selected for the NFL All-Star Game from 1940–1942. He also played one season of professional basketball for the Chicago Bruins in 1939–40.

George Wilson
Position:End
Personal information
Born:February 3, 1914
Chicago, Illinois
Died:November 23, 1978(1978-11-23) (aged 64)
Detroit, Michigan
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Chicago (IL) Austin
Delafield (WI) St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
College:Northwestern
Undrafted:1937
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com
Head coaching record
Career:68–84–8 (.450)
Player stats at PFR
Coaching stats at PFR

His coaching career began with the Bears in 1947, when he became an assistant coach to George Halas. After just two seasons with Chicago, Wilson left in 1949 for another assistant coaching position with the Detroit Lions, a division rival of the Bears. Prior to the 1957 season, he succeeded Buddy Parker as head coach. In his first year as head coach, Wilson guided Detroit to an 8–4 season and victory in the 1957 NFL Championship Game, the most recent league championship for the Lions. For his efforts, Wilson was awarded the first Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award. He remained with the Lions until 1964, though they were unable to replicate their success of 1957. Wilson then served for one year as an assistant coach to the Washington Redskins in 1965. Shortly after the season ended, Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie hired Wilson as the first head coach of the new AFL franchise in 1966. His son, George Wilson Jr., was a starting quarterback during the team's first season. Wilson, Sr. was unable to obtain a winning record in his four seasons with Miami. He was fired in February 1970 and replaced by Don Shula.

After being fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Wilson retired from football and entered the construction and real estate business in South Florida. By 1978, he moved back to Michigan, where he died of a heart attack in Detroit on November 23, 1978.

Football

Playing career

He attended and played football at Northwestern University. Wilson was a member of the 1936 Wildcats team, which won the Big Ten Conference championship.[1] After going undrafted in 1937, he was signed by the Chicago Bears later that year. Although Wilson participated in all eleven games of his rookie season, he started only two games. He recorded just one reception for 20 yards in 1937. The following season, Wilson recorded his first career touchdown. From 1940 to 1942, he was selected for the NFL All-Star Game, today known as the Pro Bowl, and was First-Team in 1942. Wilson was a member of the Bears during their five appearances in the National Football League championship Game from 1940 to 1943 and in 1946, with the team winning in all but 1942.[2] Listed as a starting right end for the 1940 NFL Championship Game, Wilson threw a tremendous block which took out two Redskin defenders as Bill Osmanski broke away for the Bears first score during their historic 73–0 rout of the Washington Redskins.[3]

During the 1943 season, Wilson recorded a career-high 293 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns.[2] In the 1943 NFL Championship Game, Wilson caught three passes for 29 yards in the club's 41–21 defeat of the Redskins.[4] He had similar regular season performances in 1944 and 1945. In the former, he caught 24 passes for 265 yards, including 4 touchdowns. In 1945, Wilson recorded a career-high 28 receptions, for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns. He retired as a player following the 1946 season, compiling an overall record of 111 pass receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns.[2]

Coaching career

Wilson began his coaching career with the Bears in 1947, when he became an assistant coach to George Halas.[5] He spent just two seasons with Chicago, before taking an assistant coaching position in 1949 with the Detroit Lions, a division rival of the Bears.[6] Before the 1957 season began, he succeeded Buddy Parker as head coach.[7] In his first year as head coach, Wilson guided Detroit to an 8–4 season and a 59–14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the 1957 NFL Championship Game, to date the most recent league championship for the Lions.[8] For his efforts, Wilson received the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award, being the first recipient of the award.[9] During the post-1957 season, he also served as the Western Conference head coach for the first nationally televised Pro Bowl, while Parker, then head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, coached the Eastern Conference.[10] The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference by a score of 26–7.[11]

In 1960, he hired Don Shula as the defensive coordinator, who later succeeded him as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.[12] The Lions went 7–5 in 1960 and advanced to the Playoff Bowl,[8][13] where they defeated the Browns 17–16.[13] Detroit finished with a slightly better record in 1961, going 8–5–1.[8] The club advanced to the Playoff Bowl again, this time defeating the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 38–10.[13] Despite finishing the 1962 season with 11 victories and 3 defeats – the best win-loss record during Wilson's tenure – they failed for the third consecutive season to edge the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Western Conference,[8] and instead played in the Playoff Bowl again, this time winning 17–10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[13] Wilson remained with the Lions until 1964, though they were unable reach another NFL championship game after the 1957 season.[8] He resigned in December 1964, shortly after five of his assistant coaches were fired, and was replaced by former Lions player Harry Gilmer.[14] Upon his resignation from the Lions, Wilson had compiled a win-loss record of 53–45–6; only Wayne Fontes had more wins as head coach of Detroit.[8] He then served for one year as an assistant coach of the Washington Redskins in 1965.[15]

In January 1966, Joe Robbie named Wilson the first head coach of an American Football League expansion franchise, the Miami Dolphins.[16] The Dolphins finished their first season with a record of 3–11, tying the 1961 Minnesota Vikings and the 1966 Atlanta Falcons for the then-best record for an expansion team.[17] Of the four starting quarterbacks during the Dolphins' inaugural year, one was Wilson's son, George Wilson Jr., who led them to their first win, a 24–7 victory over the Denver Broncos.[18][19] However, after a poor season performance, he was traded to the Broncos, who released him on July 15, 1967.[20] Miami improved slightly in 1967 and 1968, going 4–10 and 5–8 1, respectively.[21] After the 1968 season, Wilson's 3-year contract expired, leaving uncertainty if he would coach the team in 1969. Robbie stated "George has done a good job with players. That is his strong point. That doesn't mean he's weak in other aspects, but he handles players well."[22] Wilson was signed to a new 1-year contract on December 18, 1968.[23] In February 1969, Wilson promised "continued improvement" for the team at a luncheon honoring the new draftees, while Miami mayor Stephen P. Clark presented him a plaque for "untiring efforts to bring Miami a championship football team."[24] However, the team regressed during the season, finishing 3–10–1. Wilson was fired on February 18, 1970, and was replaced by Baltimore Colts' head coach Shula.[25]

Although Wilson's head coaching record with Miami was an unimpressive 15–39–2,[25] several draft picks and trades during his tenure allowed the Dolphins to acquire players who were instrumental in the team's success in the early 1970s, including drafting Bob Griese and Larry Seiple in 1967, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick in 1968, and Bill Stanfill and Mercury Morris in 1969, as well as trades for Nick Buoniconti and Larry Little in 1969 and Paul Warfield in 1970.[21][26]

Wilson's career record was 68–84–8 as head coach, with 2–0 record in the postseason. He is 70th in all-time wins by an NFL coach.[27]

Initially, Wilson was critical over his removal as head coach and replacement with Don Shula. Following the 1970 and 1971 seasons, he attempted to repudiate the public perception that Shula built a strong team, stating that "As far as I'm concerned, he took over a ready-made team.", before adding "I was fired when the team was ready to go." In criticism directly aimed at Shula, Wilson remarked, "I also helped him get the Baltimore Colts head coaching job. I practically wrote his contract for him. Carroll Rosenbloom wanted me to take the job and I had 12 meetings with him about it. But I got him to take Shula."[28] However, any tension between them faded after Wilson congratulated Shula following the Dolphins victory in Super Bowl VII and after he invited Shula for a round of golf at his newly purchased golf course in July 1973.[29]

In 1980, Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Among the other three inductees was Alex Karras, a former Lions player whom he coached.[30]

Head coaching record
TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
DET1957 840.6671st in Western Conference201.000Won Western Conference Playoff over San Francisco 49ers
Won NFL Championship over Cleveland Browns
DET1958 471.3645th in National Conference––––
DET1959 381.2735th in National Conference––––
DET1960 750.583Tied for 2nd in National Conference––––
DET1961 851.6152nd in National Conference––––
DET1962 1130.7862nd in National Conference––––
DET1963 581.385Tied for 4th in National Conference––––
DET1964 752.5834th in National Conference––––
DET Total53456.541201.000–
MIA1966 3110.2145th in Eastern Division––––
MIA1967 4100.2864th in Eastern Division––––
MIA1968 581.3853rd in Eastern Division––––
MIA1969 3101.2315th in Eastern Division––––
MIA Total15392.278---–
Total68848.450201.0001 NFL title in 12 seasons

[31]

Basketball

Playing career

A 6'1" forward, Wilson played in the National Basketball League (a forerunner to the NBA) during the 1939–40 season. He averaged 1.1 points per game in 16 games for the Chicago Bruins.[32]

Film career

Wilson appeared as himself in Paper Lion, a 1968 sports comedy film starring Alan Alda as writer George Plimpton,[33] based on Plimpton's 1966 nonfiction book of the same title, depicting his tryout with the Detroit Lions.[34] The movie premiered in Detroit on October 2, 1968, and was released nationwide the week of October 14, 1968.[35]

Personal life

He and his wife, Claire, had four daughters and one son, George Wilson Jr.. After being fired from his coaching position at the Miami Dolphins, Wilson entered the construction and real estate industries and also operated a golf course near Miami. In 1978, Wilson moved back to Michigan and intended to eventually live in a house he built in Howell, but died before doing so. On November 23, 1978, Wilson Sr. suffered a heart attack and died at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit at the age of 64.[36]

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References
  1. "Lions Name Wilson New Head Coach". Chicago Tribune. Detroit, Michigan. Associated Press. August 14, 1957. p. 36. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  2. "George Wilson". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  3. "Championship – Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins – December 8th, 1940". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  4. "Championship – Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – December 26th, 1943". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  5. "Wilson To Coach". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Chicago, Illinois. Associated Press. July 8, 1947. p. 14. Retrieved March 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "New Lions Coach". Daily Press. Detroit, Michigan. Associated Press. May 16, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved March 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Dave Diles (August 13, 1957). "Buddy Stuns Banquet Gathering by Announcing His Resignation". Ludington Daily News. Detroit, Michigan. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  8. "Detroit Lions Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  9. "George Wilson Coach of Year in Pro-Loop". Greeley Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 9, 1958. p. 8. Retrieved March 9, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Over 60,000 expected for Pro Bowl tilt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 11, 1958. p. 12. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  11. "West tops East, 26–7, in Pro Bowl". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. January 13, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  12. "A Don Shula Timeline". CNNSI.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  13. Ryan Michael (February 4, 2009). "The Forgotten History of the Playoff Bowl and How It Could Work in the NFL Today". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  14. "Harry 'The Hat' Gilmer New Detroit Lion Coach". Daily Freeman. Detroit, Michigan. Associated Press. January 8, 1965. p. 17. Retrieved March 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "George Wilson Joins Washington Redskins". Emporia Gazette. Associated Press. January 26, 1965. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Historical Highlights (1965–69)". Miami Dolphins. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  17. Chuck Otterson (December 19, 1966). "2 Late Scores Lift Miami Over Oilers". The Palm Beach Post. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Miami Must Settle Quarterback's Job". The Express. September 7, 1967. p. 33. Retrieved March 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. Andrew Meacham (August 30, 2011). "George Wilson Jr. made Miami Dolphins history with first win". Tampa Bay Times. Weeki Watchee, Florida. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  20. "George Wilson Cut By Denver". Danville Register & Bee. Denver, Colorado. Associated Press. July 16, 1967. p. 40. Retrieved March 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. Kevin Nogle (May 21, 2013). "Miami Dolphins Historical Perspective Part 2 – 1967 to 1969". SB Nation. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  22. Ed Plaisted (December 12, 1968). "Good Season For Dolphins". The Palm Beach Post. Miami, Florida. p. 37. Retrieved March 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. Ed Plaisted (December 19, 1968). "Dolphins' Wilson to Return". The Palm Beach Post. p. 37. Retrieved March 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Dolphins' Dreams, Draftees Discussed". The Palm Beach Post. Miami, Florida. February 18, 1969. p. 16. Retrieved March 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Wilson Gets Ax". The Palm Beach Post. Miami, Florida. United Press International. February 19, 1970. p. 37. Retrieved March 22, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Historical Highlights (1970–79)". Miami Dolphins. Archived from the original on April 1, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  27. "Coaches, Records, and Coaching Totals". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  28. "Ready-Made Team". The Palm Beach Post, Associated Press. Miami, Florida. January 12, 1972. p. 28. Retrieved March 29, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Ex-Dolphin Coach 'Buries Hatchet'". The Palm Beach Post. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. July 9, 1973. p. 37. Retrieved March 29, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Archived July 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  31. "George Wilson". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  32. "George Wilson NBL stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  33. "Paper Lion". IMDb. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  34. Nara Schoenberg (September 27, 2003). "George Plimpton 1927–2003". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  35. Garry Valk (October 14, 1968). "Letter from the Publisher". Sports Illustrated: 4. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  36. "Former Miami Coach Wilson Dead at 64". The Palm Beach Post. November 25, 1978. p. 59. Retrieved March 22, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
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