It’s impossible to tell the story of the New York Jets franchise without a lengthy chapter on Walt Michaels, who spent six seasons as the team’s head coach and many more as an assistant.
The team announced Michaels’ passing Thursday, at the age of 89.
In six seasons as the Jets’ head coach, Michaels had a record of 39-47-1, making a pair of playoff appearances, including a trip to the AFC title game in 1982. He also served as the team’s defensive coordinator for 11 seasons, holding that position from 1963 through 1972, and returning to the same post for the 1976 season before taking the head coaching job the following year.