:George Wilson (American football coach)

He attended and played football at Saint Johns Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI during high school as well as Northwestern University for college. Wilson was a member of the 1936 Wildcats team, which won the Big Ten Conference championship.{{cite news|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1957/08/14/page/33/article/lions-name-wilson-new-head-coach/|title=Lions Name Wilson New Head Coach|date=August 14, 1957|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=(Illinois)|page=36|access-date=January 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324173912/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1957/08/14/page/33/article/lions-name-wilson-new-head-coach/|archivedate=March 24, 2017}} After going undrafted in 1937, he was signed by the Chicago Bears later that year. Although Wilson participated in all eleven games of his rookie season, he started only two games. He recorded just one reception for 20 yards in 1937. The following season, Wilson recorded his first career touchdown. From 1940 to 1942, he was selected for the NFL All-Star Game, today known as the Pro Bowl, and was First-team in 1942. Wilson was a member of the Bears during their five appearances in the National Football League championship Game from 1940 to 1943 and in 1946, with the team winning in all but 1942.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsGe22.htm|title=George Wilson|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 22, 2017}} Listed as a starting right end for the 1940 NFL Championship Game, Wilson threw a tremendous block which took out two Redskin defenders as Bill Osmanski broke away for the Bears first score during their historic 73–0 rout of the Washington Redskins.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194012080was.htm|title=Championship – Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins – December 8th, 1940|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 22, 2017}}

During the 1943 season, Wilson recorded a career-high 293 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. In the 1943 NFL Championship Game, Wilson caught three passes for 29 yards in the club's 41–21 defeat of the Redskins.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194312260chi.htm|title=Championship – Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – December 26th, 1943|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 22, 2017}} He had similar regular season performances in 1944 and 1945. In the former, he caught 24 passes for 265 yards, including 4 touchdowns. In 1945, Wilson recorded a career-high 28 receptions, for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns. He retired as a player following the 1946 season, compiling an overall record of 111 pass receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns.

Wilson began his coaching career with the Bears in 1947, when he became an assistant coach to George Halas.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9732608/eau_claire_leader/|title=Wilson To Coach|date=July 8, 1947|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Eau Claire Leader-Telegram|page=14|access-date=March 27, 2017|location=(Wisconsin)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} He spent just two seasons with Chicago, before taking an assistant coaching position in 1949 with the Detroit Lions, a division rival of the Bears.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9836166/the_escanaba_daily_press/|title=New Lions Coach|date=May 16, 1949|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Escanaba Daily Press|page=14|access-date=March 27, 2017|location=(Michigan)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Before the 1957 season began, he succeeded Buddy Parker as head coach, who abruptly resigned on August 12.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9836401/the_ludington_daily_news/|title=Buddy stuns banquet gathering by announcing his resignation|author=Dave Diles|authorlink=Dave Diles|date=August 13, 1957|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Ludington Daily News|page=6|access-date=March 27, 2017|location=(Michigan)}} Wilson instituted an 11 p.m. curfew for his team while issuing $50 per hour fines for violators and doing bed checks at training camp. He described his manner as such: "I joke around a lot, but there's only one way to play football and that is to beat down the other guy."{{cite magazine|author=Tex Maule|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1957/12/02/lambs-into-lions|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Lambs into Lions|date=December 2, 1957|accessdate=January 22, 2024}} The crackdown policy was modified to be tougher when the team had a middling run of preseason games, but it did not stop Wilson from having to bail out his quarterback Bobby Layne from an arrest on drunk driving in the middle of the night.

In his first year as head coach, Wilson guided Detroit to an 8–4 season and a 59–14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL championship game, still the most recent league title for the Lions.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/|title=Detroit Lions Franchise Encyclopedia|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 27, 2017}} For his efforts, Wilson was the first recipient of the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award.{{cite news|title=George Wilson Coach of Year in Pro-Loop|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9431531/george_wilson_coach_of_year_in_proloop/|access-date=March 9, 2017|newspaper=Greeley Daily Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=January 9, 1958|page=8|location=(Colorado)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} In January 1958, he also served as the Western Conference head coach for the first nationally televised Pro Bowl, while Parker, then head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, led the Eastern Conference.{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1958 |title=Over 60,000 expected for Pro Bowl tilt |page=12 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|location=(Pennsylvania))|agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pCANAAAAIBAJ&sjid=52oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3703%2C1825385 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |via=Google News}} The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference by a score of 26–7.{{cite news|title=West tops East, 26–7, in Pro Bowl |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=An1RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6949%2C1544747 |access-date=March 27, 2017|newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel|location=(Wisconsin)|date=January 13, 1958|agency=Associated Press|page=2}}

In 1960, Wilson hired Don Shula as the defensive coordinator, who later succeeded him as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=A Don Shula Timeline|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/970728/shula/timeline.html|publisher=CNNSI.com|access-date=November 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104102404/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/970728/shula/timeline.html|archive-date=November 4, 2013|url-status=dead}} The Lions were 7–5 in {{nfly|1960}} and advanced to the first edition of the third-place Playoff Bowl,{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/119446-the-unknown-history-of-the-playoff-bowl-and-how-it-could-work-in-the-nfl-today|title=The Forgotten History of the Playoff Bowl and How It Could Work in the NFL Today|author=Ryan Michael|date=February 4, 2009|publisher=Bleacher Report|access-date=January 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518032908/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/119446-the-unknown-history-of-the-playoff-bowl-and-how-it-could-work-in-the-nfl-today|archivedate=May 18, 2017}} where they defeated the Browns 17–16. Detroit's record was slightly better in 1961 at 8–5–1, went to the Playoff Bowl again, and soundly defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–10. Despite finishing the 1962 season with 11 victories and 3 defeats – the best win–loss record during Wilson's tenure – they failed for the third consecutive season to edge the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Western Conference, but won a third straight Playoff Bowl, this time 17–10 over the Steelers.

Wilson remained with the Lions through 1964, though they were unable reach another NFL championship game after 1957. He resigned on December 23, two days after his five assistant coaches were fired by ownership,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qzhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437%2C1944471 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Coach stays with Lions; aides fired |date=December 22, 1964 |page=11|accessdate=January 22, 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G9laAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7092%2C3908646 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Wilson resigns as Detroit Lions' coach|location=(Pennsylvania)|date=December 24, 1964 |page=12}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BMIbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K08EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7250%2C2485998 |work=Pittsburgh Press|location=(Pennsylvania)|agency=United Press International |title=Wilson picks pride over $45,000 Lion job |date=December 24, 1964 |page=12|accessdate=January 22, 2024}} and was succeeded by former Lions player Harry Gilmer.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9756286/the_kingston_daily_freeman/ |title=Harry 'The Hat' Gilmer New Detroit Lion Coach|date=January 8, 1965|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Daily Freeman|page=17|access-date=March 27, 2017|location=(Kingston, New York)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Upon his resignation from the Lions, Wilson had compiled a {{winpct|53|45|6|record=y}} record; only Wayne Fontes had more wins as head coach of Detroit. He then served for one year as an assistant coach under Bill McPeak with the Washington Redskins in {{nfly|1965}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10042729/the_emporia_gazette/|title=George Wilson Joins Washington Redskins|date=January 26, 1965|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Emporia Gazette|location=(Kansas)|page=13|access-date=April 4, 2017|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

On January 29, 1966,{{cite book|title=100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die|author=Armando Salguero|publisher=Triumph Books|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=2020|isbn=978-1-62937-722-3|page=20}} Joe Robbie named Wilson the first head coach of the American Football League's first expansion franchise, the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web |url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1965-69 |title=Historical Highlights (1965–69) |publisher=Miami Dolphins |access-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404065350/http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1965-69 |archive-date=April 4, 2010 }} The Dolphins finished their first season with a record of 3–11, tying the 1961 Minnesota Vikings and the 1966 Atlanta Falcons for the then-best record for an expansion team.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9756481/the_palm_beach_post/|title=2 Late Scores Lift Miami Over Oilers|date=December 19, 1966|author=Chuck Otterson|page=23|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Of the four starting quarterbacks during the Dolphins' inaugural year, one was Wilson's son, George Wilson Jr., who led them to their first win, a 24–7 victory over the Denver Broncos.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9717116/the_express/|title=Miami Must Settle Quarterback's Job|date=September 7, 1967|newspaper=The Express|pages=33|access-date=March 21, 2017|location=(Lock Haven, Pennsylvania)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/george-wilson-jr-made-miami-dolphins-history-with-first-win/1186508|title=George Wilson Jr. made Miami Dolphins history with first win|author=Andrew Meacham|date=August 30, 2011|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=March 21, 2017|location=(St. Petersburg, Florida)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112050/http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/george-wilson-jr-made-miami-dolphins-history-with-first-win/1186508|archive-date=March 22, 2017}} However, after a poor season performance, he was traded to the Broncos, then soon released on July 15, 1967.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9717390/the_danville_register/|title=George Wilson Cut By Denver|date=July 16, 1967|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Danville Register & Bee|page=4-D|access-date=March 21, 2017|location=(Virginia)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

Miami improved slightly in 1967 and 1968, going 4–10 and 5–8–1, respectively. After the 1968 season, Wilson's three-year contract expired, leaving uncertainty if he would coach the team in 1969. Robbie stated "George has done a good job with players. That is his strong point. That doesn't mean he's weak in other aspects, but he handles players well."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9770076/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Good Season For Dolphins|author=Ed Plaisted|date=December 12, 1968|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|page=37|access-date=March 24, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Wilson was signed to a new one-year contract on December 18, 1968.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9770244/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Dolphins' Wilson to Return|author=Ed Plaisted|date=December 19, 1968|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|page=D1|access-date=March 24, 2017|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} In February 1969, Wilson promised "continued improvement" for the team at a luncheon honoring the new draftees, while Miami mayor Stephen P. Clark presented him a plaque for "untiring efforts to bring Miami a championship football team."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9770388/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Dolphins' Dreams, Draftees Discussed|date=February 18, 1969|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|page=16|access-date=March 24, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} However, the Dolphins regressed to 3–10–1, worst in the AFL; Wilson was fired two months later on February 18, 1970, and was succeeded by Baltimore Colts' head coach Shula.

Although Wilson's record with Miami was an unimpressive {{winpct|15|39|2|record=y}},{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4632319/wilson_gets_ax/|title=Wilson Gets Ax|date=February 19, 1970|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|pages=C1|access-date=March 22, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} several draft picks and trades during his tenure allowed the Dolphins to acquire players who were instrumental in the team's success in the early 1970s, including drafting Bob Griese and Larry Seiple in 1967, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick in 1968, and Bill Stanfill and Mercury Morris in 1969, as well as trades for Nick Buoniconti and Larry Little in 1969 and Paul Warfield in 1970.{{cite web|url=http://www.thephinsider.com/2013/5/21/4350148/miami-dolphins-history-part-2-1967-1969|title=Miami Dolphins Historical Perspective Part 2 – 1967 to 1969|author=Kevin Nogle|date=May 21, 2013|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=March 22, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1970-79|title=Historical Highlights (1970–79)|publisher=Miami Dolphins|access-date=March 23, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401110915/http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1970-79|archive-date=April 1, 2010}}

Wilson's career record as a head coach was {{winpct|68|84|8|record=y}}, and was 2–0 in the postseason.{{Cite web |title=George Wilson Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/WilsGe0.htm |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Initially, Wilson was critical over his removal as head coach and replacement with Shula. Following the 1970 and 1971 seasons, he attempted to repudiate the public perception that Shula built a strong team, stating that "As far as I'm concerned, he took over a ready-made team.", before adding "I was fired when the team was ready to go." In criticism directly aimed at Shula, Wilson remarked, "I also helped him get the Baltimore Colts head coaching job (in 1963). I practically wrote his contract for him. (Colts' owner) Carroll Rosenbloom wanted me to take the job and I had twelve meetings with him about it. But I got him to take Shula."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902137/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Ready-Made Team|date=January 12, 1972 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|agency=Associated Press|page=C1|access-date=March 29, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} However, any tension between them faded after Wilson congratulated Shula following the Dolphins victory in Super Bowl VII and after he invited Shula for a round of golf at his newly purchased golf course in July 1973.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902228/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Ex-Dolphin Coach 'Buries Hatchet'|date=July 9, 1973|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|page=D3|access-date=March 29, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

In 1980, Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Among the other three inductees was Alex Karras, a former Lions player whom he coached.{{cite web|url=https://michigansportshof.org/hall-of-famers/|title=MSHOF Inductees|publisher=Michigan Sports Hall of Fame|accessdate=January 22, 2024}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/WilsGe0.htm|title=George Wilson|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=April 3, 2017}}

A 6'1" forward, Wilson played in the National Basketball League (a forerunner to the NBA) during the 1939–40 season. He averaged 1.1 points per game in 16 games for the Chicago Bruins.{{cite web | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wilsoge01n.html| title=George Wilson NBL stats| publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=Basketball-reference.com | access-date=October 26, 2015}}

Wilson appeared as himself in Paper Lion, a 1968 sports comedy film starring Alan Alda as writer George Plimpton,{{cite web|title=Paper Lion|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063410/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm|publisher=IMDb|access-date=April 4, 2017}} based on Plimpton's 1966 nonfiction book of the same title, depicting his tryout with the Detroit Lions.{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-09-27/news/0309270219_1_paris-review-paper-lion-timothy-seldes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806002822/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-09-27/news/0309270219_1_paris-review-paper-lion-timothy-seldes|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2013|title=George Plimpton 1927–2003|author=Nara Schoenberg|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=(Illinois)|date=September 27, 2003|access-date=April 4, 2017}} The movie premiered in Detroit on October 2, 1968, and was released nationwide the week of October 14, 1968.{{cite magazine|author=Garry Valk|title=Letter from the Publisher|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1968/10/14/550879/letter-from-the-publisher|date=October 14, 1968|pages=4|access-date=April 4, 2017}}

He and his wife, Claire, had four daughters and one son, George Wilson Jr. After being fired from his coaching position at the Miami Dolphins, Wilson entered the construction and real estate industries and also operated a golf course near Miami. In 1978, Wilson moved back to Michigan and intended to eventually live in a house he built in Howell, but died before doing so. On November 23, 1978, Wilson Sr. suffered a heart attack and died at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit at the age of 64.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9722985/the_palm_beach_post/|title=Former Miami Coach Wilson Dead at 64|date=November 25, 1978|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|page=B6|access-date=March 22, 2017|location=(West Palm Beach, Florida)|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

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{{1940 Chicago Bears}}

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Category:1914 births

Category:1978 deaths

Category:American football ends

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Chicago

Category:Basketball players from Wisconsin

Category:Chicago Bears players

Category:Chicago Bruins players

Category:Detroit Lions head coaches

Category:Detroit Lions coaches

Category:Forwards (basketball)

Category:Miami Dolphins head coaches

Category:Miami Dolphins coaches

Category:Northwestern Wildcats football players

Category:Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball players

Category:People from Delafield, Wisconsin

Category:Players of American football from Waukesha County, Wisconsin

Category:Players of American football from Chicago

Category:Austin Community Academy High School alumni