OU-HSV
6/6/2009, 07:23 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4237688
Owens led West Coast football revival
BIGFORK, Mont. -- Jim Owens, who played at Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson and coached the University of Washington for 18 seasons, has died at his home Saturday. He was 82.
Washington confirmed Owens' death.
Owens coached at Washington from 1957 until his retirement in 1974, leading a resurgence in West Coast football. He went 99-82-6 in his nearly two decades as Huskies coach, including three Rose Bowl trips. He also served as athletic director at UW from 1960-69.
His accomplishments at UW were honored in 2003 when the university dedicated a statue of Owens outside one of the entrances to Husky Stadium. But that honor came with protests about his treatment of black players during his time at Washington.
Here's a little more about him from soonersports.com:
All-American: Jim Owens
Jim Owens earned All-America honors in 1949. The Oklahoma City native was considered the finest downfield blocker on the team. Owens was also a vicious tackler on defense.
Another dimension of his ability came out early in his career as he caught five passes, including one for a touchdown, against Texas during his freshman year. He stung the 'Horns again his senior year when he caught the winning touchdown from QB Darrell Royal. Also during that year, he had the key blocks on three of the Sooners' touchdowns against Missouri.
The two-time all-conference selection was drafted during the 23rd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
Owens led West Coast football revival
BIGFORK, Mont. -- Jim Owens, who played at Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson and coached the University of Washington for 18 seasons, has died at his home Saturday. He was 82.
Washington confirmed Owens' death.
Owens coached at Washington from 1957 until his retirement in 1974, leading a resurgence in West Coast football. He went 99-82-6 in his nearly two decades as Huskies coach, including three Rose Bowl trips. He also served as athletic director at UW from 1960-69.
His accomplishments at UW were honored in 2003 when the university dedicated a statue of Owens outside one of the entrances to Husky Stadium. But that honor came with protests about his treatment of black players during his time at Washington.
Here's a little more about him from soonersports.com:
All-American: Jim Owens
Jim Owens earned All-America honors in 1949. The Oklahoma City native was considered the finest downfield blocker on the team. Owens was also a vicious tackler on defense.
Another dimension of his ability came out early in his career as he caught five passes, including one for a touchdown, against Texas during his freshman year. He stung the 'Horns again his senior year when he caught the winning touchdown from QB Darrell Royal. Also during that year, he had the key blocks on three of the Sooners' touchdowns against Missouri.
The two-time all-conference selection was drafted during the 23rd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.