Tag: George Perles

WATCH: Former MSU football star Courtney Hawkins journey from playing to coaching

Watch former Michigan State wide receiver and now wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins’ journey from star player to coach.

[jwplayer YaOcRwS8-PROpJzTY]

Former Michigan State wide receiver Courtney Hawkins is known to fans from his days catching passes donning the green and white. Hawkins ranks sixth all-time in receiving at Michigan State which resulted in him being selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft. The Spartan standout spent nine seasons in the NFL before returning to his alma mater, Flint Beecher, to serve as a head coach.

After being hired, coach Mel Tucker made it a point to bring the former standout wide receiver back to East Lansing on his coaching staff. Hawkins reciprocated and was hired as the new wide receivers coach for the Spartans.

Michigan State football’s video staff took fans through the years as one-time MSU player now turned MSU wide receivers coach and the journey it took to get there. You can watch it below:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

LOOK: MSU Football unveils new throwback helmet for Saturday vs. Indiana

The Spartans will pay tribute to the George Perles era of Michigan State football this weekend, bringing back the block “S” helmet.

[jwplayer xwcRkXEd]

The Spartans will pay tribute to the George Perles era of Michigan State football this weekend by bringing back the block “S” helmet for Saturday’s match-up against No. 10 Indiana.

MSU Football’s Twitter accounted released a Perles tribute video on Thursday morning that showcases the new helmet. You can see that below:

The rest of the uniform appears to be the same as normal (green jersey and white pants), with the only twist being the new helmet.

Here are more images of the complete uniform unveil:

Kickoff between the Spartans and Hoosiers is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be seen on ABC.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Former Steelers coach Woody Widenhofer dies at 77

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach and defensive coordinator died Sunday in Colorado.

Robert “Woody” Widenhofer, 77, Butler, Pa. native and four-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Steelers, died Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo. from stroke complications.

“Woody played an important role coaching our famed Steel Curtain defense when he helped us win four Super Bowls in the 1970s,” said Steelers president, Art Rooney II. “He coached some of the best linebackers in NFL history during his time in Pittsburgh and was later elevated to defensive coordinator, where he guided the defense in our Super Bowl XIV victory over the Los Angeles Rams.”

Widenhofer served as linebackers coach from 1973 to 1978 and defensive coordinator from 1979 to 1983.

After being promoted to DC, the Steelers took home their fourth Super Bowl title in six years. His defense was second in yards allowed and fourth against the run.

The Steelers made the playoffs again in 1982 and 1983 before Widenhofer left to become head coach of the USFL Oklahoma Outlaws in 1984.

The Outlaws went 6-12, and Widehofer went to Missouri. He was head coach of the Tigers from 1985-88 and the Vanderbilt Commodores from 1997-2001. In between colleges, Widenhofer was DC with the Detroit Lions and LB coach of the Cleveland Browns.

It’s hard to believe, but the Super Bowl teams of the ’70s had three different defensive coordinators. Bud Carson was the coordinator for Super Bowl IX and X, George Perles for Super Bowl XIII, and Widenhofer for Super Bowl XIV.

A team with that much turnover doesn’t usually have that kind of success, but it is the Steel Curtain we’re talking about.

Before taking over as Steelers DC, Widenhofer coached Hall of Famer linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, and Andy Russell, Henry Davis, and Loren Toews — all critical parts of the Steel Curtain.

In 2007, Widenhofer finished his coaching career as DC at Mexico State.

 

Former Michigan State Head Coach George Perles Passes Away

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.

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.ย  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.

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.ย  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.