Walt Michaels

Walter Edward Michaels(originallyMajka) (October 16, 1929 – July 10, 2019) was an American professionalfootballplayer and coach who was best remembered for his six-year tenure ashead coachof theNational Football League(NFL)'sNew York Jetsfrom 1977 to 1982.In 1977, Michaels was inducted into theVirginia Sports Hall of Fame,the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame and into theSuffolk Sports Hall of FameonLong Islandin the Baseball Category with the Class of 1997.

Walt Michaels

Michaels on a 1952 Bowman football card
No. 35, 34
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1929-10-16)October 16, 1929 Swoyersville, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Died:	July 10, 2019(2019-07-10)(aged 89) Plains, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
College:	Washington and Lee
NFL draft:	1951/ round: 7 / pick: 86
Career history
As a player:
Green Bay Packers(1951) Cleveland Browns(1952–1961) New York Jets(1963)
As a coach:
Oakland Raiders(1962) Defensive backs coach New York Jets (1963–1972) Defensive coordinator Philadelphia Eagles(1973–1975) Defensive coordinator New York Jets (1976) Defensive coordinator New York Jets (1977–1982) Head coach New Jersey Generals(1984–1985) Head coach Scranton Stallions(1990) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
2×NFL champion(1954-1955) 5×Pro Bowl(1955–1959) Cleveland Browns Legends
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 11 StatsatPro Football Reference
Head coaching record
Regular season:	39–47–1 (.454)
Postseason:	2–2 (.500)
Career:	41–49–1 (.456)
Recordat Pro Football Reference

Early life and playing career

Collegiate and early NFL career

Michaels was born to a Polish family, son of a coal miner fromSwoyersville, Pennsylvania.The family's surname is originally Majka, but was anglicized to Michaels in school.Michaels was a two-sport athlete at the local high school, then went on to play collegiately as afullbackatWashington & Lee University.During the 1950 season, he helped the Generals reach theGator Bowl,but was unable to play in the contest due to anappendicitisattack he suffered one week before the New Year's Day game. In the 1951NFL draft,he was selected in the seventh round by theCleveland Browns,but was traded to the Green Bay Packers during the summer training camp. Michaels was used primarily on special teams during his rookie season in Green Bay.

Return to Cleveland Browns (1952–61)

On April 29, 1952, Michaels was traded back to the Browns for three offensive linemen, and played a key role in the team's defense over the next decade atlinebacker.Often used to call the defensive signals, Michaels intercepted 11 passes, including four in 1952, and also returned two of them for touchdowns. In those 10 years, Michaels helped the Browns play in fiveNFL Championship games,winning consecutive contests in 1954 and 1955.

Coaching career

Oakland Raiders assistant (1962)

On April 3, 1962, Michaels entered the coaching ranks when he was hired by theAmerican Football League'sOakland Raidersas the team'sdefensive backscoach. He would spend only one season there, with the success he enjoyed with the Browns nowhere to be found. The Raiders lost their first 13 games before winning the season finale, playing inFrank Youell Field,a temporary stadium.

New York Jets assistant (1963–73)

After the 1962 season, Michaels joined the staff of theAmerican Football League'sNew York Jetsas defensive line coach. He played as an emergency fill-in at linebacker in the opening game of the 1963 season versus Boston. In 1967, with the departure of J.D. Donaldson, Michaels's responsibility shifted to linebackers and the secondary. He also became the "unofficial" defensive coordinator, creating the team's defensive game plans. The Jets defeated theBaltimore ColtsinSuper Bowl III,with Michaels seemingly the heir apparent to replaceWeeb Ewbank,following the departure of fellow assistantClive Rush.

Philadelphia Eagles assistant (1973–75)

However, Michaels' career fortunes changed dramatically on February 1, 1973, when Ewbank hired hisson-in-law,Charley Winner,and designated him his successor after the upcoming season. Michaels immediately resigned and within two weeks later had signed to become the defensive coordinator of thePhiladelphia Eagles,working under former Browns' teammateMike McCormack.

Three mediocre seasons in Philadelphia followed, with McCormack and his staff dismissed at the end of the1975 NFL season.After Winner was also dismissed as Jets head coach, Michaels returned to New York, again resuming his role as the main coach on defense under new head coachLou Holtz.

New York Jets assistant (1976–77)

Holtz's one season at the professional level turned out to be a disaster, leading him to resign in the days prior to the last game of the season. On January 4, 1977, Michaels was officially selected as head coach of the Jets, beginning six seasons of wildly contrasting results.

New York Jets head coach (1977–83)

Michaels' first season saw the team win only three of 14 games, but over the next two years, the Jets managed to split their 16 contests in each year. The five-game improvement in 1978 was good enough to win Michaels theAFCCoach of the Year award.

The 1979 season was another 8–8 campaign that was marred by a quarterback controversy. StarterRichard Toddwas demoted and new starterMatt Robinsonwas named for the season opener against theCleveland Browns.But days before the game, Robinson injured his throwing-hand thumb during horseplay withJoe Kleckoand tried to hide the injury, but was forced to reveal it the night before the game. The thumb was treated and the Jets took a 22–19 lead in the final quarter. Robinson had the tape on his injured thumb removed thinking the game was over, butBrian Sipeled a game-tying Browns drive, and in overtime Robinson, unable to grip the ball, threw a sloppy pass forWesley Walkerthat was intercepted and turned into a Browns game-winning field goal. Michaels never used Robinson again even afterRichard Toddgot injured.Another incident during 1979 illustrated the fragile dynamic of Michaels' tenure with the Jets. On November 26 when the Jets were crushed 30–7 by theSeattle Seahawksin theKingdome;one Seahawks score was set up as cornerbackCornell Websterblocked a Chuck Ramsey punt which followed a Jets turnover on a mishandled snap. Following the game Michaels called out Ramsey in front of teammates by snarling, "I can fart farther than you can kick!"

A rough 4–12 season in 1980 was followed by an 0–3 start in 1981. Following a 31–30 loss to theBengalsan ugly Monday press conference occurred. Michaels angrily confrontedNew York Daily Newswriter Bill Verigan an hour before the press conference, then in the ensuing conference Michaels' eyes were described as "glazed" and his speech "slurred."Despite this the Jets surged to win ten games, securing their first playoff berth since1969,also their first berth since joining the NFL in 1970. The year's success ended witha 31–27 defeatto theBuffalo Billsin theAFC wild card game.During the strike-shortened1982 NFL season,the Jets went 6–3, then pounded the Cincinnati Bengals 44–17 in the first round of that year's expanded playoff system. Traveling to face the top-seededLos Angeles Raidersthe following week, the Jets pulled off a 17–14 upset. Michaels dealt with a phone call at halftime that upset him to the point where he launched into a verbal attack onto who he thought did it: Raiders managing general partnerAl Davis,although this was proven false. One game away fromSuper Bowl XVII,the Jets arrived at Miami'sOrange Bowlon January 23, 1983, to find that the field had not been covered, despite a heavy rainstorm. The subsequentAFC Championshipgame became known as the "Mud Bowl", where the Jets lost 14–0 to theMiami Dolphins.

On February 10, 1983, just 17 days after the loss to the Dolphins, Michaels unexpectedly resigned, citing a need for a break from football. He had been under severe emotional strain during the last weeks of the 1982 regular season, taking time each week to visit his terminally ill mother in Pennsylvania. Reportedly, ownerLeon Hesspressured Michaels into resigning due to his tiring of Michaels and his temper problem, which included an outburst on the flight out of Miami with team presidentJim Kensiland a shoving match at La Guardia Airport with a bus driver; a meeting with Kensil after the Pro Bowl led to the push to resign.

New Jersey Generals, USFL (1984-85)

Michaels would then coach theNew Jersey Generalsin theUSFLfor two years beginning in 1984. One month after the conclusion of the 1985 season, Michaels and his staff were let go by Generals' team ownerDonald Trumpafter the team merged with theHouston Gamblers.The Generals never played another game, however, as the 1986 season was cancelled and the league folded after winning a mere $1 verdict in its antitrust lawsuit against the NFL.

ILAF (International League of American Football)

On December 21, 1989, Michaels was hired as coach of the Helsinki franchise in the new International League of American Football, a developmental league and the forerunner of the now defunctWorld League of American FootballandNFL Europe.

Head coaching record

Team	Year	Regular Season					Post Season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
NYJ	1977	3	11	0	.214	5th in AFC East	-	-	-
NYJ	1978	8	8	0	.500	3rd in AFC East	-	-	-
NYJ	1979	8	8	0	.500	3rd in AFC East	-	-	-
NYJ	1980	4	12	0	.250	5th in AFC East	-	-	-
NYJ	1981	10	5	1	.656	2nd in AFC East	0	1	.000	Lost to theBuffalo BillsinAFC Wild-Card Game
NYJ	1982*	6	3	0	.667	6th in AFC Division	2	1	.667	Lost to theMiami DolphinsinAFC Championship Game
NYJ Total		39	47	1	.454		2	2	.500
NJG	1984	14	4	0	.778	2nd in Atlantic Division	0	1	.000	Lost to thePhiladelphia StarsinEastern Conference Semifinals
NJG	1985	11	7	0	.611	2nd in Eastern Conference	0	1	.000	Lost to theBaltimore StarsinEastern Conference Quarterfinals
NJG Total		25	11	0	.694		0	2	.000
Total		64	58	1	.524		2	4	.000

• Note: The 1982 season was reduced to 9 games due to an 8-week player strike.

See also

• List of American Football League players