Green passed away early Friday morning at the age of 67 after suffering cardiac arrest.
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Dennis Green coached several National Football League legends over his years, including former Vikings’ runningback Robert Smith, and Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner.
Green coached the Vikings from 1992-2001 and had some memorable seasons-particularly in 1998 (when his offense set the National Football League record for most points scored in a season) and 2000-taking the Vikings to the NFC title game each year. He led the Vikings to a 15-1 regular season in 1998 and ranks second in franchise history in games coached, wins and winning percentage, trailing Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant in each category. He had a 113-94 career record as a head.
It was just very clear that working with the media was the least desirable of Green’s duties as the leader of his football team. “We express our deepest sympathy to his family and his many friends”. He drafted Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Darnell Dockett, Antonio Smith, and Matt Leinart. “Coach Green is going to be missed dearly by everyone that was lucky enough to know him”. (The record is now held by the 2013 Denver Broncos.) The Vikings finished.500 or better in each of Green’s first nine seasons with the team, missing the playoffs only once. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Green family.
James “Buddy” Ryan, the Cardinals” head coach from 1994 to “95, died on June 28th after a long illness. Green “created an outstanding environment for his players and I was privileged to spend four great years under his guidance in Minnesota”.
Dennis Green had an impact on me with the way he carried himself and the way he was scrutinized for his demeanor.
Green began his career at Stanford as Bill Walsh’s running backs coach from 1977-1978, and after a season as the 49ers special teams coordinator, Green returned as Stanford’s offensive coordinator in 1980. His hiring at Northwestern in 1981 made him the first African-American head coach in the Big Ten and the second at the Division I-A level, and in 1989 at Stanford would become the first in the Pac-10.
Troy Vincent, the NFL executive vice president of football operations, said in a statement: “We are saddened to hear the news of Dennis Green’s passing”.
Green coached the Vikings to the NFC title games following the 1998 and 2000 seasons. Was looking forward to saying thanks at HOF.
“Freer spirit for the team in its entirety, Dennis Green himself liked to have a good time, so the players exuded that same type of good time atmosphere”, said Boyer.
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The family asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Club of San Diego.
