Former Jets, Steelers coach Dan Radakovich dies at 84

Former Jets linebackers coach Dan Radakovich died at the age of 84.

Dan Radakovich, a Jets linebackers coach from 1985 to 1988, died at the age of 84 on Thursday.

Radakovich began his NFL coaching career with the Steelers in 1971 as the defensive line coach. After a short stint as the University of Colorado’s defensive coordinator, Radakovich returned to the Steelers in 1974 as the offensive line coach. He remained in that role until 1977.

“Bad Rad” then signed on to be the 49ers defensive coordinator in 1978 before joining the Rams as their linebackers coach. In 1982, Radakovich was an assistant with NC State and then returned to the NFL with the Broncos in 1983 as their linebackers coach.

After one season in Denver, Radakovich went to Minnesota to be their linebackers coach before joining the Jets in 1985. Radakovich spent time with the Browns and Rams as well as Robert Morris before calling it a career in 2007.

Prior to his coaching career, Radakovich was a standout at Penn State as a center and linebacker. He coached at Penn State from 1957-1969.