Former Bears Head Coach Dies

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jan 9, 2008 3:40PM

Jim Dooley, the coach who took the reigns from Bears and NFL founder George Halas, passed away on Tuesday at 77.

Dooley served as the Bears head coach from 1968-1971, through four pretty bad years for the Bears. His 20-36 record during his tenure included a 1-13 season in 1969, with the only win coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers also finished 1-13, beating the Bears in a coin flip for the top draft pick. Pittsburgh won, drafted Terry Bradshaw and won three Super Bowls in the 70s.

Dooley also had the misfortune of losing Hall of Famers Gayle Sayers to injury in his prime and coaching Dick Butkas as his knees gave out. He also was the coach during Brian Piccolo's illness and subsequent death from cancer in 1970, immortalized in the movie Brian's Song.

While Dooley's tenure as head coach was marked with tragedy and misfortune, he was also credited as one of the most innovative football minds. As defensive coordinator, he developed the "nickel defense" with a fifth defensive back in passing situations. He later served as offensive coordinator under Halas, coaching the likes of Sayers and Mike Ditka.

Dooley first joined the Bears as their first round draft pick in 1952, playing until 1961. He remained with the franchise in a variety of assistant coaching roles until 1990, when he was part of Ditka's staff.