Bill Arnsparger, Miami Hall of Fame Inductee, Passes Away
7/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami family lost a dear friend this past Friday as Bill Arnsparger passed away at the age of 88. A 1976 Miami Hall of Fame Inductee, Arnsparger spent 39 years coaching football at the collegiate and professional ranks.
A two-time letterwinner for Miami, he was part of the 1948 team that collected a 7-1-1 record on the way to a Mid-American Conference title.
Following his graduation from Miami in 1949, the Paris, Ky. native remained in Oxford and began his coaching career under the tutelage of Woody Hayes, who he had played for during his senior season. Arnsparger spent 14 years at the collegiate level before making the jump to the NFL in 1964 when he was hired by the Baltimore Colts as their new defensive line coach. Following his time with the Colts and after a stint with the Miami Dolphins, Arnsparger was named the head coach of the New York Giants in 1974. However, in 1976, he returned to the Dolphins and remained there until 1983.
Arnsparger made his way back to collegiate football in 1984, procuring the head coaching job at Louisiana State University. He remained with LSU until 1986, when he resigned to become the athletic director at the University of Florida.
Arnsparger returned from his coaching hiatus in 1992, when he was hired as the San Diego Chargers' new defensive coordinator, where he remained until his retirement in February of 1995. In all, Arnsparger coached for 39 years, 23 of which were spent in the NFL where he made six super bowl appearances.
Gifts can be made to the Bill Arnsparger Football Scholarship.
Send to:
Athletic Development Office
230 Millett Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
