Former Michigan State defensive tackle, head coach and the man who helped oversee one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties died Wednesday at the age of 85.
George Perles played on the Michigan State defensive line from 1954-56 before returning to East Lansing as an assistant coach from 1959-70. His ability to coach consistently strong defensive lines helped lead him to Pittsburgh where he coached the defensive line starting in 1972 until 1982 when he took a job in the short-lived USFL.
In 1983 he was hired to be the head coach of his alma mater where he led the Spartans through 1994, leading them to the Rose Bowl in 1987 which was their first trip to the game in 22 years at the time.
George Perles, who led @MSU_Football to the 1988 Rose Bowl title, has died.
The 2007 MSU Hall of Famer was 85. pic.twitter.com/qAyvLQdYIw
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 8, 2020
As much success as Perles brought to Michigan State, beating Notre Dame is something he had much trouble with, going just 2-10 against the Irish. Even in the 1987 season that saw Sparty finish the year as Rose Bowl Champions, Michigan State lost at Notre Dame 31-8 in September in a game that helped launch Tim Brown’s eventual Heisman campaign.
Perles finished his career with a 68-67-4 record at Michigan State.