Post by TheShadow on Jun 12, 2008 16:38:48 GMT -5
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www.sfgate.com
Raiders coach in '60s, College Hall of Famer
Bryan Chu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Former Raiders coach and College Football Hall of Fame member John Rauch died Tuesday in his Oldsmar, Fla., home.
He was 80. The cause of death is unknown.
"Our hearts go out to his family who we knew well," a Raiders press release said. "John Rauch gave us several great years as an assistant and head coach. ... They were memorable years for the Raiders and they will never be forgotten."
Mr. Rauch had a 33-8-1 record in three seasons (1966-68) with the Raiders. He was named AFL Coach of the Year in 1967 when the Raiders made it to Super Bowl II, losing to Vince Lombardi's Packers 33-14.
In newspaper reports during his time with the Raiders, Mr. Rauch was described as a "soft-spoken but firm" individual who "always had an excellent rapport with the Raider players."
When Mr. Rauch was hired by the Raiders, he said, "This is pro football, a cold world, where we're interested in one thing - winning."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Rauch had an illustrious career as a quarterback for the University of Georgia, starting in four bowl games. Mr. Rauch was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
In 1949, Mr. Rauch was drafted second overall by the Lions. He played for three teams in four seasons and then turned to coaching.
He coached five college teams from 1952-1962 before landing with the Raiders in 1963. Three seasons later, he was promoted to head coach, after then-coach Al Davis left the Raiders to be the AFL commissioner.
With the Raiders, Mr. Rauch's assistants included John Madden and Bill Walsh.
In his first season, the Raiders finished 8-5-1. The next season, led by quarterback Daryle Lamonica, the Raiders dropped just one regular season game before meeting the Packers in the Super Bowl. In 1968, the Raiders went 12-2 but lost to the Jets 27-23 in the AFL Championship Game. Mr. Rauch didn't see eye-to-eye with Davis and resigned. He signed with the Bills in 1969. Two seasons later, he left the Bills and coached the CFL Toronto Argonauts from 1973-74.
Mr. Rauch had a career 40-28-2 coaching record.