Willie Zapalac

Willie Zapalac
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born (1920-12-11)December 11, 1920
Sealy, Texas
Died May 18, 2010(2010-05-18) (aged 89)
Austin, Texas
Playing career
1939–1941 Texas A&M
Position(s) Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1949–1950 Tarleton State
1952 Arlington State
1961–1962 Texas Tech (OL)
1963 Oklahoma State (OL)
1964–1975 Texas (OL)[1]
1976–1977 St. Louis Cardinals (DL)
1978–1980 Buffalo Bills (DL)
1981–1985 New Orleans Saints (DL)
Head coaching record
Overall 8–1–1 (college)
11–9 (junior college)

Willie Frank Zapalac (December 11, 1920 – May 18, 2010) was the eighth head college football coach for the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks located in Arlington, Texas, and he held that position for the 1952 season. His career coaching record at UT Arlington was 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. He ranked tenth at UT Arlington in total wins and first at UT Arlington in winning percentage.

Zapalac later coached at Texas A&M (where he attended school),[2] Texas Tech,[3] Oklahoma State, and the University of Texas and in the NFL at the St. Louis Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints.[4]

While at the University of Texas, he coached under Darrell Royal for 12 years. During that time, Texas won seven Southwest Conference (SWC) championships and two national championships. He was known for producing many offensive lines in the 'Wishbone' attack. For a period of five years at least one offensive lineman was named to All American teams and numerous players named to All-SWC teams.[5] Zapalac had two sons, Bill and Jeff, that played football at the University of Texas.

Zapalac played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947.[6] His son Bill (Willie Zapalac, Jr.) played professionally three seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets.[7]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?pid=142933796
  2. ↑ Dallas News "Sherrington: Longtime coach Willie Zapalac helped set stage for amazing tale at Texas A&M" June 13, 2010
  3. ↑ "2010 Texas Tech Red Raiders Football Media Guide" (PDF). Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University. p. 68. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  4. ↑ The University of Texas at Arlington - Official Athletic Site
  5. ↑ Legacy.com "Obituaries-Willie Frank Zapalac"
  6. ↑ KBTX.com "Aggie Hall of Famer Willie Zapalac passes away" May 19, 2010
  7. ↑ Pro Football Reference Willie Zapalac
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