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FRITZ SHURMUR, FORMER PACKERS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, DIES AT 67
posted 08/30/99
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| Former Packers Defensive Coordinator Fritz Shurmur, pictured here with the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XXXI, has died at age 67. |
Leonard "Fritz" Shurmur, former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator and a veteran of 45 years in the coaching field, died of cancer at his Green Bay area home this morning.
Shurmur, who was 67, had been defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks when he was taken ill in late May and subsequently returned to Green Bay on a leave of absence.
The dean of NFL defensive coordinators, he had begun his 20th year in that role. Overall, he had served in that capacity with six teams - the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Phoenix Cardinals and Seahawks, in addition to the Packers.
Widely respected throughout the National Football League as a defensive coach and strategist, he was the architect of the Packers' defense which in 1996 - en route to subsequently winning Super Bowl XXXI - permitted the opposition only 19 touchdowns, a league record for a 16-game schedule.
A year later, his defense set a modern-era club record for fewest touchdown passes permitted in a season with 10.
Earlier, in 1994, the year he joined the Packers coaching staff, Shurmur presided over one of the most memorable defensive performances in Packers history when his unit set an all-time NFL playoff record by holding the legendary Barry Sanders and the Detroit Lions to negative rushing yardage in a wild-card game.
He previously had demonstrated a classic example of his flair for innovation in 1989 when, as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, he was confronted with the challenge of revamping an injury-depleted defensive unit. Utilizing linebackers as defensive linemen and compensating for the absence of two regular inside linebackers until the season's 10th game, he developed a 2-5 "Eagle" defense which allowed only three running backs to gain 100 yards and finished fifth in the NFC.
Blessed with writing skills to complement his football knowledge, Shurmur authored four books on the subject of defense. He also took his teaching skills to the screen, having produced a 50-minute video,
"Coaching the Defensive Line."
Packers President Bob Harlan, commenting on Shurmur's passing, said,
"This is a sad day for all of us in the Packers organization. Fritz Shurmur not only was an outstanding coach but a wonderfully warm human being, respected by everyone in the Packers family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Shurmur, born July 15, 1932, attended Roosevelt High School in his native Wyandotte, Mich. He later earned All-Michigan Athletic Association honors as a center at Albion College and was named the conference's most valuable player. He also was named to the all-conference baseball team and is a charter member of Albion's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Shurmur launched his coaching career in 1954 as a graduate student at his alma mater, where he served as assistant football coach and swimming coach before moving to the University of Wyoming as an assistant football coach. He was the Cowboys' defensive line coach from 1962-70 prior to being named head coach in 1971. As Wyoming's defensive coach, Shurmur's teams twice led the nation in rushing defense and in total defense once.
After four years as Wyoming's head coach (1971-74), he began his 20-year tenure in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 1975.
Shurmur is survived by his wife, Peggy, three children - Dr. Scott Shurmur, Omaha, Neb.; Sally Ann Michalov, Casper, Wyo.; and Susie Plumb, Dallas, Texas, and four grandchildren.
The Schauer-Schumacher East Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visitation will be on Wednesday, Sept. 1st and Thursday, Sept. 2nd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a parish wake service set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Schauer and Schumacher Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54301.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Friday, the time to be announced later.
The Shurmurs, who had built a home on a lake outside of the city, had planned to make Green Bay their retirement home.
Audio: Player Reaction To Shurmur's Death
B.Favre, J.Waddy, T.Williams, D.Sharper, B.Harris, V.Booker & A.Freeman on Fritz Shurmur (Real Audio)
S.Lewis, S.Dotson, A.Freeman & B.Schroeder on Fritz Shurmur (Real Audio)
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