Former Olympic coach Brooks killed in car accident

Updated: August 11, 2003, 9:27 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS - Herb Brooks, the legendary United States Olympic hockey coach who orchestrated the "Miracle on Ice" win in 1980 over the Soviet Union, was killed Monday afternoon in a single-car accident. He was 66.

Brooks was driving alone when his vehicle rolled over and he was ejected on Interstate 35 near Forest Lake, according to a statement from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident. Brooks is survived by his wife, Patti, and two children.

Brooks forever will be known for coaching a group of American college players to a stunning upset of the powerful Soviet Union en route to an improbable gold medal in the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, New York.

"Herb Brooks is synonymous with American hockey, and those of us lucky enough to be around him learned something from him every day," said Penguins general manager Craig Patrick, who served as Brooks' assistant on the 1980 Olympic team.

The 4-3 semifinal victory on February 22 is considered by many to be the greatest sports moment of the 20th century. As the final seconds ticked away, broadcaster Al Michaels shouted the immortal question, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"

How improbable was the upset? Three days before the Olympics began, the U.S. was steamrolled by the same Soviet team, 10-3, in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden.

But Brooks inspired his overmatched players before the semifinal meeting, telling them, "You're meant to be here; this moment is yours."

Two days after shocking the Soviets, the U.S. beat Finland for the gold medal.

"Without Herb Brooks coaching the team, they would have had no chance," Michaels told ESPN. "He knew how to push the buttons, he knew how to get the team to band together, he brought out the best in everybody."

Elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, Brooks returned to the Olympics in 2002, coaching a team of American NHL players to a silver medal.

In the NHL, Brooks coached four teams - the New York Rangers (1981-85), Minnesota North Stars (1987-88), New Jersey Devils (1992-93) and Pittsburgh Penguins (1999-2000) - and compiled an overall record of 219-222-66.

"At all levels of the game, including college hockey, Olympic hockey and the National Hockey League, Herb Brooks was a consummate teacher, an unparalleled motivator and an unquestioned innovator," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

"Making one of Herb Brooks' teams was an extraordinary accomplishment. It is devastating to all of us in the hockey world that his passion for the game, his insight, his foresight, have been taken away."

He had spent the last eight years with the Penguins, serving as a scout, coach and director of player development.

"Herbie loved the game, he lived the game, and his contributions to the Penguins over the last eight years have been immeasurable," Patrick said. "He will be sorely missed."

Brooks turned down an offer to return as coach of the Rangers before the 2002-03 season.

"The New York Rangers organization is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Herb Brooks," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. "He was not only a great friend and colleague in the world of hockey, but more importantly, he was a wonderful person who will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."

Born in St. Paul, Brooks coached the University of Minnesota from 1972-79 and led the Golden Gophers to three NCAA titles.

"Herb Brooks was a great innovator of the sport of hockey and it was a great privilege to be able to play for him at the University of Minnesota and for the 1980 Olympic team," Minnesota Wild assistant Mike Ramsey said. "Herb will be greatly missed in the hockey world."

Not many will remember Brooks being named NHL Coach of the Year in 1982 after guiding the Rangers to a 39-27-14 record. But he never came close to winning the Stanley Cup.

In a TV movie about the 1980 team, Brooks was portrayed by actor Karl Malden. Another movie, starring Kurt Russell as Brooks, is in the works.

Many factors played into the "Miracle on Ice." A boycott of the Summer Games in Moscow loomed because of the recent Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and American hostages were held in captivity in Iran.

The country was in desperate need of a boost, and Brooks' Olympic team provided it, turning many who never watched hockey before into manic red, white and blue face-painters.

Ironically, Brooks was the last player cut on the 1960 U.S. gold medal team. He made the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams.

"People forget he was a very good hockey player, and was a member of the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams," said USA Hockey chairman Walter Bush Jr. "He turned his playing ability, passion and personality into a great coaching career. It is tragic we have prematurely lost a friend who has given so much to hockey in the United States. His candle burned out much too soon, but his success will live on to the people he touched."

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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