Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and ALUMNI and former player at San Jose State University, died Monday following a battle with leukemia.
Walsh died at about 11 a.m. at home, officials said.
Walsh was head coach with the 49ers from 1979 to 1988. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers.
Walsh's family was at his side shortly before his death.
Here is a recent article that Walsh did for the Mercury News:
Bill Walsh
Mark Purdy, Mercury News
Article Launched: 04/29/2007 01:41:19 AM PDT
What was the most memorable part of attending San Jose State University?
The best-looking girls in the Bay Area were there, for sure. ... In football, there were a couple of games in the 1952 season - we won at the College of Pacific and I played every play and we beat BYU in the homecoming game and I played every play. ... In the classroom, some history classes I took, especially Civil War history.
Who inspired you most at San Jose State?
Bob Bronzan, my football coach.
If you could have given one piece of advice to yourself as a college student, what would you say?
I would have taken a much more serious view of my studies. In graduate school, I did.
How did your San Jose State education influence your life over the years?
"That goes back to Bob Bronzan. He influenced so many people over the years there. He was a dynamic teacher, far ahead of his time. He was demanding and had high expectations."
- Mark Purdy, Mercury News