George Wilson (football coach)

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George Wilson (February 3, 1914November 23, 1978) was a former professional football player and later a coach in the NFL and AFL for the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins.

He attended Northwestern University and played professionally for the Chicago Bears from 1937 to 1946, winning four NFL Championships as a player. In 1957, he became the head coach of the Detroit Lions and in that same season won the NFL Championship over the Cleveland Browns, 59-14.[1] As of 2006, this is the last NFL championship won by the Lions (they've never won a Super Bowl). He was replaced following the 1964 season and coached one year as an assistant for the Washington Redskins before being named the first ever head coach of the AFL expansion franchise the Miami Dolphins in 1966.[2] After four losing seasons in Miami he was replaced with former Baltimore Colts coach Don Shula after the 1969-70 season.

In 1980, Wilson was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. [3]

Wilson's career record was 68-84-8 as head coach, with 2-0 record in the postseason.

[edit] Reference

Preceded by:
Expansion franchise
Miami Dolphins Head Coaches
1966–1969
Succeeded by:
Don Shula
Preceded by:
Buddy Parker
Detroit Lions Head Coaches
1957–1964
Succeeded by:
Harry Gilmer
Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions Head Coaches
Griffin • G. ClarkD. ClarkHendersonG. Clark • Edwards • KarcisDoraisMcMillinParkerWilsonGilmerSchmidtMcCaffertyForzanoHudspethM. ClarkRogersFontesRossMoellerMornhinwegMariucciJauronMarinelli