Share

Former Colts coach Ted Marchibroda passes away

Belichick left Baltimore to join the Denver Broncos in 1978 before beginning a 12-year stint with the New York Giants in 1979, but his legendary coaching career all started under the guise of Marchibroda. The Colts defeated the Texans 28-16.

Advertisement

Ted Marchbiroda, who coached the Baltimore Colts to several division titles in the mid-1970’s, and then became the Baltimore Ravens first head coach after the team arrived from Cleveland in 1996 has died at the age of 84.

Colts owner Jim Irsay released a statement Saturday shortly after Marchibroda’s death. Although he went 16-31-1 with the Ravens, he presided over their 1996 draft, in which Baltimore landed future hall-of-fame players Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden, two key facets of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV.

The Ravens’ job was the last time Marchibroda worked in the NFL. As an assistant, he held positions for seven different teams throughout his career, including the Bears, Lions and Eagles in the years between his first head coaching job and his stint in Buffalo.

Marchibroda began his coaching run in 1961 as an assistant for the Washington Redskins.

In an odd twist, Marchibroda also coached the Colts in Indianapolis from 1992-95, going 30-34.

The graduate of Saint Bonaventure was a quarterback himself, and he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1953 NFL Draft. In 1995, Marchibroda guided the Colts to a 9-7 regular season record, including an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. The impact he had on that transformation can’t be denied, especially since he helped to create the hurry-up offense, a staple of the game today. Marchibroda served as the offensive coordinator there through the 1974 season.

Advertisement

Ted is survived by his wife Ann and his four children Ted Jr., Jodi, Lonni, and Robert.

Ted Marchibroda, Former Colts and Ravens Head Coach, Dies at Age 84