Neill Armstrong

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For the astronaut, see Neil Armstrong

Neill Armstrong was a former American football player and coach whose career spanned more than 40 years at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Armstrong played college football at Oklahoma A & M from 1943-1946, and in 1947, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Playing both at wide receiver and defensive back, Armstrong helped the team capture the NFL championship in both 1948 and 1949.

In 1962, his professional coaching career began when he was hired as an assistant coach with the American Football League Houston Oilers. After serving two years in that capacity, he shifted back to Canada as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. In his six years, the team reached the postseason three times.

Armstrong was hired as an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings in 1970, and became an integral part of developing the team's dominating defense. After helping the team reach the postseason in all but one of the next eight years, he was hired as head coach of the Bears on February 16, 1978.

In four years at the helm of the Bears, he was only able to compile a record of 30-34, with one playoff appearance in 1979. He was fired on January 3, 1982, but hired less than two months later as an assistant with the Dallas Cowboys. He spent the next eight seasons with the team before announcing his retirement on February 22, 1990.

Preceded by Jack Pardee

Chicago Bears Head Coaches 1978–1981

Succeeded by Mike Ditka

Chicago Bears Head Coaches
Halas • Jones • Halas • Anderson • Johnsos • Halas • Driscoll • Halas • Dooley • Gibron • Pardee • Armstrong • Ditka • Wannstedt • Jauron • Smith