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Dennis Green

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Dennis Green
refer to caption
Green, circa 2015
Personal information
Born:(1949-02-17)February 17, 1949
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Died:July 21, 2016(2016-07-21)(aged 67)
San Diego, California,U.S.
Career information
High school:Harrisburg
College:Iowa
Undrafted:1971
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Win–loss record:113–94
Postseason record:4–8
NCAA record:26–63
Coaching stats atPFR
Executive profile atPFR

Dennis Earl Green(February 17, 1949 – July 21, 2016) was anAmerican footballcoach.During hisNational Football League(NFL) career, Green coached theMinnesota Vikingsfor 10 seasons. He coached the Vikings to eight playoff appearances in nine years, despite having seven different starting quarterbacks in those postseasons.[1]He was posthumously inducted into theMinnesota Vikings Ring of Honorin 2018.

Green was the second African American head coach in modern NFL history, afterArt Shell.He was the Minnesota Vikings head coach from1992to2001.He was one of the winningest coaches of the 1990s, posting a 97–62 record as Vikings head coach. Green's best season in Minnesota was in1998,when the Vikings finished 15–1 and set the NFL record for most points in a season at the time; however, the Vikings were upset by theAtlanta Falconsinthat year's NFC Championship Game,and Green was unable to reach theSuper Bowlthroughout his otherwise successful tenure with Minnesota. Following his first losing record in2001,he was fired just before the final game of the season.

Green was hired by the Cardinals to serve as the head coach for the2004 season,a franchise then noted for its futility, which had posted only one winning season in a quarter-century. In Arizona, Green was unable to match his success in Minnesota, and his poor win–loss record (16–32) with the Cardinals was similar to that of his predecessors in Arizona. However, many describe Green's tenure with Arizona as an inflection point in the history of the Cardinals, arguing that the culture of the team changed under Green, and that the core of the personnel in theCardinals' 2008 Super Bowl runwas acquired by Green.

Early life

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Green grew up in a working class household inHarrisburg, Pennsylvaniaat the corner of Walnut and N 12th street. In 2019, the 1100 to 1300 block of Walnut Street was renamed "Dennis Green Way"to honor the late native. His father, Penrose" Bus "Green was of Creole descent and worked as a postal worker, he briefly played for the Harrisburg Lions semi-pro football team. Green's mother, Anna Green was a beautician. His father died when Green was 11 and his mother died of breast cancer when he was 13. Green is the youngest of five brothers: Penrose Green, Robert Green, Stanley Green, and Gregory Green. He was in attendance at the March 2, 1962 NBA game inHershey, PennsylvaniawhereWilt Chamberlainscored 100 points. Green has four children: Patti Green (born April, 1967), Jeremy Green (born July, 1971), Vanessa Green (born February, 1997), and Zachary Dennis Green (born November, 1998).

Green attended John Harris High School (now Harrisburg High School) in Harrisburg, and graduatedcum laudefrom theUniversity of Iowawith a BA in finance.[2]According to Green, he was planning to be a high school teacher if his football career didn't pan out. In college, he started ashalfbackin each of his three seasons with theIowa Hawkeyes,playing under coachRay Nagel.[3][4]In his collegiate career, Green had 139 carries for 699 yards and nine touchdowns.[5]His best individual game was in a 1968 loss toTexas Christian Universitywhen he rushed 18 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns. After graduating from Iowa, Green briefly played professionally for theBC Lionsof theCanadian Football Leaguein 1971.[6]

Assistant coaching career

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Green began his football coaching career, returning to the University Iowa in 1972 as a graduate assistant. Green then served as an assistant coach at theUniversity of Dayton(1973),University of Iowa(1974 to 1976) andStanford University,where he coached underBill Walshin 1977 and 1978. In 1979, Green joined Bill Walsh's staff on theSan Francisco 49ers,where he coached special teams. Green returned toStanfordin 1980 as offensive coordinator, coaching withJim FasselandJack Harbaugh.[7]

College coaching career

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In 1981, Green was named the head coach ofNorthwestern University,a school that had gone 1–31–1 in its last 33 games. In 1981, he was only the second African American head coach inDivision I-Ahistory (the previous coach,Willie Jeffries,coached atWichita State,which no longer has a football team).[8]Green was named the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year, as chosen by writers and broadcasters, in 1982 at Northwestern.[9]He left Northwestern in 1985, doing a stint as the wide receivers coach for theSan Francisco 49ersunder his former Boss at Stanford, Bill Walsh. In his last season with the San Francisco 49ers, they reached the1989 NFL Super Bowl Championship Game,in which Green made the play call that led to John Taylor's 10-yard TD reception from Joe Montana that secured the win with 39 seconds left.

In 1989, Green took the head coaching position atStanford University,inheriting a team that had graduated 17 of its 21 starters from 1988. Green led the Cardinal from 1989 to 1991. During that time, his teams finished with an overall record of 16–18, a.471 winning percentage, going 3–0 in theBig Gameagainst theCalifornia Golden Bears.In 1990, his Stanford team defeated top-rankedNotre DameinSouth Bend, Indiana.His tenure culminated with an 8–3 record (Stanford's best since 1986). A loss to Washington in the opening game of the season was the deciding factor for the Pac-10 championship. The Cardinal made an appearance in the1991 Aloha Bowl,where his team lost toGeorgia Techon a last-minute touchdown.

Professional coaching career

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Minnesota Vikings

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Green was a disciple of Bill Walsh'sWest Coast offenseand was touted by Walsh and other NFL pundits as a likely candidate to be the second African-American head coach in the NFL. On January 10,1992,Green was named5th head coachof the Minnesota Vikings, replacing the retiringJerry Burns.The day he was introduced as the Vikings' head coach, he announced that there was a "new sheriff in town". He was the second African American head coach afterArt Shellin the modern NFL era, and the first to do so without ever playing in the NFL. Green was the third in NFL history afterFritz Pollardin the 1920s and Shell.

Through his first six years with the team, Green never posted a losing record and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs only once. Green was reportedly the pioneer of using the team's day off on Tuesday to do charity work in the community, which eventually became common in the NFL.[10]Initially, Green earned widespread praise for turning around what had recently been a lackluster franchise. However, as the team's fan-base grew accustomed to regular season success, Green came under criticism for failing to advance the team deeper into the playoffs.

In 1996, two members of the Vikings' ownership board,Wheelock Whitneyand Jane Dyer, reportedly contactedLou Holtz,who was the coach of theNotre Dame Fighting Irishfootball team and former coach of theMinnesota Golden Gophersfootball team. They wanted to bring Holtz in to replace Green.[11]Holtz abruptly announced his retirement in 1996, and rumors surrounded the reasons, one of which was the possible Vikings head coaching position.[12]

In 1997, Green published his autobiographyNo Room For Crybabies,in which he responded to the criticism and perceived personal vendettas byTwin Citiessports writers Bob Sansevere,Dan Barreiro,andPatrick Reusse.[13]He threatened to sue the team as his response to the Lou Holtz rumors.[14][15]

The high point of Green's Vikings career was the1998 season,when the team went 15–1 and set the NFL record for the most points scored in a season (The2013 Denver BroncosunderJohn Foxcurrently hold this record). The Vikings advanced to theNFC Championship game,losing to theAtlanta Falconsafter Atlanta'sMorten Andersenmade a field goal in overtime.[10]

In2001,the Vikings finished with a losing record for the first time in Green's decade with the team. The Vikings bought out Green's contract on January 4, 2002. Assistant coachMike Ticeled the team in their final regular season game against theBaltimore Ravens,and was eventually hired as the head coach.

Arizona Cardinals

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After spending two seasons as an analyst forESPN,Green was hired as head coach by the Arizona Cardinals on January 7, 2004. Through his first two years with the team, Green totaled 11 wins with the Cardinals and finished 3rd in theNFC West,an improvement over predecessorDave McGinnis.Unlike his previous two seasons, the2006 seasonbegan with great expectations for the Cardinals with the opening of anew stadium,sellout crowds, the drafting of quarterbackMatt Leinart,and the signing of Pro Bowl running backEdgerrin James.After a solid start, the Cardinals suffered some tough early losses.

"They are who we thought they were!"

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"My doctor was very happy. He called me the next day, said: 'You know what? After that kind of game, (me) blowing up like that was a very good stress reliever', and my wife agreed."

—Dennis Green[16]

The worst of these came in aMonday Night Footballgame on October 16, 2006,losing a 20-point leadto theChicago Bearsin less than twenty minutes, without the Bears scoring any points on offense. Asked about how Chicago's tenacious defense forced six turnovers and shut down the Arizona offense, the normally soft-spoken Green unloaded from the lectern:[17]

The Bears are what we thought they were. They're what we thought they were. We played 'em in preseason — who the hell takes the third game of the preseason like it's bullshit? Bullshit! We played 'em in the third game — everybody played three quarters — the Bears are who wethoughtthey were! And that's the way we took the damn field! Now if you want to crown 'em, then crown their ass!But theyarewho wethoughtthey were! And we let 'em off the hook![18]

The day after the press conference,offensive coordinatorKeith Rowenwas fired and replaced with quarterbacks coachMike Kruczek.Although Green later apologized for the outburst, and the Cardinals rallied to win four of their last seven games, including a rare win over playoff-bound Seattle, many pundits felt that the loss to Chicago and ensuing tirade had already sealed Green's fate. On January 1, 2007, the Cardinals fired Green with a year left on his contract.[19]

Green's tirade is still used heavily in NFL media coverage today, often comically, to describe the obvious flaws of an opponent and the failure to capitalize on that knowledge. It was featured in aCoorsTV advertisement.[20]

Later career

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In August 2007, theWestwood Oneradio network announced that it had hired Green to serve as a color analyst on theirThursday night NFL broadcasts.[21]

On March 11, 2009, it was announced that Green would be the head coach of the San Francisco franchise for theUnited Football League's inaugural season.[22]Green's first game asCalifornia Redwoodscoach was a 30–17 loss to theLas Vegas Locomotives.[23]

Beginning with the2010 season,the Redwoods moved to Sacramento and were renamed the Mountain Lions. Green remained as head coach for the2011 seasonsas well, his final season with the Mountain Lions. After leaving the team, Green sued the league for lack of payment on a $1.5 million contract for the 2011 season. (The United Football League suspended play in October 2012 amid lawsuits alleging unpaid debts.) Anarbitratorawarded Green $990,000 for the 2011 season, and the award was upheld in February 2014 by aSan Francisco Superior Courtjudge.[24]

Death

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On Thursday July 21, 2016, Green died at the age of 67 due to complications fromcardiac arrest.[25][26]He was survived by his four children.[25]

After his death, the Vikings team released a statement saying, "He mentored countless players and served as a father figure for the men he coached. He took great pride in helping assistant coaches advance their careers. His tenure as one of the first African American head coaches in both college and the NFL was also transformative. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Green family."[26]

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Northwestern Wildcats(Big Ten Conference)(1981–1985)
1981 Northwestern 0–11 0–9 10th
1982 Northwestern 3–8 2–7 T–8th
1983 Northwestern 2–9 2–7 T–8th
1984 Northwestern 2–9 2–7 9th
1985 Northwestern 3–8 1–7 T–9th
Northwestern: 10–45 7–37
Stanford Cardinal(Pacific-10 Conference)(1989–1991)
1989 Stanford 3–8 3–5 T–7th
1990 Stanford 5–6 4–4 T–6th
1991 Stanford 8–4 6–2 T–2nd LAloha 22 22
Stanford: 16–18 13–11
Total: 26–63

NFL

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
MIN 1992 11 5 0 .688 1st in NFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost toWashington RedskinsinNFC Wild Card Game
MIN 1993 9 7 0 .562 2nd in NFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost toNew York GiantsinNFC Wild Card Game
MIN 1994 10 6 0 .625 1st in NFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost toChicago BearsinNFC Wild Card Game
MIN 1995 8 8 0 .500 4th in NFC Central – – – –
MIN 1996 9 7 0 .562 2nd in NFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost toDallas CowboysinNFC Wild Card Game
MIN 1997 9 7 0 .562 4th in NFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost toSan Francisco 49ersinNFC Divisional Game
MIN 1998 15 1 0 .938 1st in NFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost toAtlanta FalconsinNFC Championship Game
MIN 1999 10 6 0 .625 2nd in NFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost toSt. Louis RamsinNFC Divisional Game
MIN 2000 11 5 0 .688 1st in NFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost toNew York GiantsinNFC Championship Game
MIN 2001* 5 10 0 .333 4th in NFC Central – – – –
MIN Total 97 62 0 .610 4 8 .333
ARI 2004 6 10 0 .375 3rd in NFC West – – – –
ARI 2005 5 11 0 .313 3rd in NFC West – – – –
ARI 2006 5 11 0 .313 4th in NFC West – – – –
ARI Total 16 32 0 .333 – – –
Total[7] 113 94 0 .546 4 8 .333

*Only coached 15 games

United Football League

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
CAL 2009 2 4 0 .333 3rd in UFL – – – –
SAC 2010 4 4 0 .500 3rd in UFL – – – –
SAC 2011 2 3 0 .400 3rd in UFL – – – –
Total 8 11 0 .421 - – – –

See also

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References

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  1. ^Stuart, Chase (July 26, 2016)."Dennis Green And The Revolving Quarterback Door".Football Perspective.RetrievedFebruary 25,2021.
  2. ^"Notable Executives and CEOs Among UI Alumni".The University of Iowa. Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2008.RetrievedOctober 14,2008.
  3. ^Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 25, 1969 (all-Big-Ten honorable mention for Green).
  4. ^"1968 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats".College Football at Sports-Reference.
  5. ^"Dennis Green College Stats".College Football at Sports-Reference.
  6. ^"Former Hawkeye Dennis Green Passes".University of Iowa Athletics.July 22, 2016.
  7. ^ab"Dennis Green Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks".Pro-Football-Reference.
  8. ^"BCASports - Guide To Bingo, Online Casinos and Betting".BCASports.org.Archived fromthe originalon May 28, 2007.
  9. ^Big Ten ConferenceArchivedApril 22, 2009, at theWayback Machine– Football media guide
  10. ^ab"The Greatest Team Never to Make It: An Oral History of the 1998 Vikings".
  11. ^Vikings' owners divided on HoltzArchivedDecember 6, 2008, at theWayback Machine.Ron Holtz. Associated Press. November 19, 1996. copy hosted on southcoasttoday
  12. ^VIKINGS' GREEN SAYS HIS TEAM'S IN HUNTArchivedMay 12, 2011, at theWayback MachineLee Shappell.Arizona Republic
  13. ^Robson, Britt (January 14, 1998)."Personal Foul".City Pages.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2014.
  14. ^ Green, Dennis; Gene McGivern (November 1997).No Room For Crybabies.Sagamore Publishing. p. 224.ISBN1-57167-175-7.There's no room for crybabies.
  15. ^Seidel, Jeff (October 25, 1997)."Will Vikings throw the book at Green?".St. Paul Pioneer-Press.Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 1997.
  16. ^"Top 10 greatest comebacks in NFL history".NFL.July 29, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2012.RetrievedMarch 5,2012.
  17. ^They are who we thought they wereonYouTube
  18. ^Mandell, Nina (July 22, 2016)."Re-live Dennis Green's famous 'they are who we thought they were' press conference".USA Today.RetrievedFebruary 25,2021.
  19. ^Baum, Bob (January 1, 2007)."Arizona Cardinals fire coach".Toronto Star.RetrievedFebruary 25,2021.
  20. ^VideoonYouTube
  21. ^"Thursday Night Football on Westwood One".Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2007.
  22. ^"United Football League Announces Former NFL Coaches Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, Jim Haslett & Ted Cottrell as Head Coaches for" UFL Premiere "Season".Reuters. March 11, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2009.
  23. ^"Las Vegas beats California in UFL debut".Associated Press. October 9, 2009.[dead link]
  24. ^Dale Kasler,Ex-NFL coach fighting owners of defunct Sacramento team over $1 million in back pay,Sacramento Bee(January 14, 2016).
  25. ^abMather, Victor (July 22, 2016)."Dennis Green, Pioneering Coach of the Vikings and the Cardinals, Dies at 67".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 23,2016.
  26. ^abSessler, Mark (July 22, 2016)."Dennis Green, ex-Vikings, Cardinals coach, dies at 67".NFL.NFL.RetrievedJuly 23,2016.
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