George Wilson (football coach)
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George Wilson (February 3, 1914 – November 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 |
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Griffin • G. Clark • D. Clark • Henderson • G. Clark • Edwards • Karcis • Dorais • McMillin • Parker • Wilson • Gilmer • Schmidt • McCafferty • Forzano • Hudspeth • M. Clark • Rogers • Fontes • Ross • Moeller • Mornhinweg • Mariucci • Jauron • Marinelli |
Miami Dolphins Head Coaches |
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Wilson • Shula • Johnson • Wannstedt • Bates • Saban |