Jim Spavital
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2017) |
No. 77, 76 | |
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Position: | Fullback, linebacker |
Personal information | |
Born: | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | September 15, 1926
Died: | March 7, 1993 Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S. | (aged 66)
Career information | |
College: | Oklahoma A&M |
NFL draft: | 1948 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11 |
Career history | |
As a player: | |
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As a coach: | |
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As an administrator: | |
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Career NFL statistics | |
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
James J. Spavital (September 15, 1926 – March 7, 1993) was an American gridiron football player, coach and executive in six different professional football leagues. He served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1970 to 1973 and as head coach of the Chicago Fire of the World Football League (WFL) in 1974. Spavital was the general manager of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1979 to 1982 and the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1983.
Playing career
Spavital played for the
Coaching career
In 1955, Spavital joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff under coach Cliff Speegle. In 1968 he joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an assistant. In 1970 he was hired by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as head coach. In four seasons as Bombers head coach, he had a 23–39–2 record and two playoff appearances.
In 1974, Spavital was hired as head coach of the Chicago Fire of the World Football League. The team finished 7–13 and folded after the season. In 1975 he joined the New York Jets, coaching the offensive backfield. The following season, he again coached the offensive backfield coach for San Francisco 49ers coach Monte Clark.
In 1977 Spavital returned to the CFL as an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders, rejoining a fellow assistant from Saskatchewan, Jack Gotta. In 1981 he was hired as general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Spavital left the Roughriders after the season to join the
Spavital's son, Steve, was the head football coach at
References
- ^ "Pro Football Draft History: 1951". profootballhof.com. Retrieved September 17, 2014.