Between two stints with the Rams and one with each of the Bills and Seahawks, former NFL head coach Chuck Knox had a career that would leave most coaches envious.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Chuck Knox. “Football players make football plays.” First man to show us what NFL playoff football was all about. R.I.P. Ground Chuck
— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) May 13, 2018
Despite never reaching the Super Bowl, Knox retired with a combined 186-147 record. His teams notched seven victories against 11 losses in the playoffs. He was named head coach of the Los Angeles Rams when Tommy Prothro was fired in early 1973. In 1972, he left to coach the Buffalo Bills until 1983 when he was named to the same position with the Seattle Seahawks. He returned to the Rams for the 1992 season, spending his last three NFL seasons with his original organization.
In nine seasons with the Seahawks, the team went 80-63 under Chuck Knox. His name appears amongst other Seattle football legends in Seattle’s Ring of Honor. Knox was NFL Coach of the Year in 1973, 1980, and 1984.
Our statement on the passing of Chuck Knox. pic.twitter.com/npXULySvTG
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 13, 2018
His son, Chuck Knox, Jr., also spent time on NFL sidelines. Junior spent 13 seasons as a positional coach or defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (where he spent two seasons under his father), Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
Knox’s teams were known for their run-heavy attack, which earned him the nickname “Ground Chuck.”
He is survived by his wife Shirley, whom he married 65 years ago, three children, and six grandchildren. Leading up to his death he had been in hospice care, battling dementia. His death was formally announced by his granddaughter, Lee Ann Norman.
