March 17, 1965

Amos Alonzo Stagg, the grand old man of football, dies at age 102 of uremic poisoning in a rest home in Stockton, Calif.

As an end for Yale, Stagg was on the first All-American team back in 1889. After quitting divinity school in 1890 he began a 70-year career as a football coach, the first 57 as a head coach.

He is considered the most compelling single force for the tactical growth and ethical elevation of the game. Among his innovations were the forward pass and the T-formation.

In 41 years (1892-1932) at the University of Chicago, his teams won six Big Ten championships and had five unbeaten seasons. Then he coached the College of the Pacific for 14 years. His overall record is 314-199-35.

Rather than retire, he became an assistant coach for 13 years before finally retiring on Sept. 16, 1960 at the age of 98.