Bill Arnsparger facts for kids

William Stephen Arnsparger (December 16, 1926 – July 17, 2015) was a famous American football coach. He coached both college and professional teams. Bill was born in Paris, Kentucky. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 1950. Right after college, he started his long coaching career.

Arnsparger is best known for his time with the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). He was their defensive coordinator. His defenses helped the Dolphins win two Super Bowls in a row (in 1972 and 1973). They also reached another Super Bowl in 1982. All these successes happened under head coach Don Shula. Arnsparger's defenses were so good, they even got nicknames. In the 1970s, they were called the "No-Name Defense." In the 1980s, they were known as the "Killer B's." Later in his career, he helped the San Diego Chargers reach the Super Bowl in 1994.

Before coaching in the NFL, Arnsparger was an assistant coach for several college football teams. He also worked as a head coach for the New York Giants (1974–1976) and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers (1983–1986). From 1986 to 1992, he was the athletic director at the University of Florida.

Early Life and College Days

Bill Arnsparger was born in Paris, Kentucky, in 1926. He went to Paris High School. There, he was an amazing football player. His coach, Blanton Collier, had a big impact on his future.

After serving in the U.S. Marines during World War II, Arnsparger went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He played football for the Miami team. His coach there was Woody Hayes. Bill was also part of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1950.

Starting as a College Assistant Coach

Coaching at Miami University

After graduating, Arnsparger stayed at Miami University. He began his coaching career as an assistant under Coach Hayes for the 1950 season. That year, Miami's team had a great record of 9 wins and 1 loss. They also became champions of the Mid-American Conference.

Moving to Ohio State

In 1951, Woody Hayes became the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. He asked Arnsparger to join him. Bill became the Buckeyes' line coach. He held this position until the 1954 season.

Time at Kentucky

In 1954, Arnsparger reconnected with his high school coach, Blanton Collier. Collier had become the head football coach at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Arnsparger was hired as the defensive line coach at Kentucky. He stayed there for eight years.

During the 1959 season, Kentucky hired a new coach for the secondary (defensive backs). This coach was Don Shula. Arnsparger and Shula became very good friends. Their friendship would connect them for many years in football.

Coaching at Tulane

Arnsparger then moved to an assistant coaching job at Tulane University in New Orleans in 1962. After two years, he left Tulane on March 6, 1964. He took a new job as the defensive line coach for the Baltimore Colts under his friend, Don Shula.

Coaching in the NFL

Baltimore Colts Success

In 1964, Arnsparger became the defensive line coach for the Baltimore Colts in the NFL. That season, the Colts made it to the NFL Championship Game. The Colts were one of the best teams in the 1960s. They even played in Super Bowl III in 1969.

Miami Dolphins Dynasty

After the 1969 NFL season, Don Shula left the Colts to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He brought Arnsparger with him. Arnsparger was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In 1973, he also became assistant head coach.

In just two seasons, the Dolphins, who used to struggle, reached the Super Bowl. Arnsparger built a strong defense that became known as the "No-Name Defense." The Dolphins won two world championships in the next two seasons. This included a perfect, undefeated season in 1972. Arnsparger's success made him a top choice for a head coaching job.

New York Giants Head Coach

After the Dolphins won Super Bowl VIII in 1974, Arnsparger became the head coach of the New York Giants. However, his time there was tough. He only won seven games out of thirty-five. Arnsparger coached the Giants in three different home stadiums during his time. He was fired in the middle of the 1976 season after the team lost its first seven games.

Return to the Dolphins

Just two days after being fired by the Giants, Arnsparger was hired back by Don Shula. He returned to his old job as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Dolphins. In their first game with him back, the Dolphins won a tough defensive game against the New England Patriots.

The Dolphins finished the 1976 NFL season with a 6–8 record. They just missed the playoffs the next season. In the following two seasons, the Dolphins made the playoffs but lost their first game. During the 1982 NFL season, which was shorter due to a strike, Miami reached Super Bowl XVII. They lost to the Washington Redskins. Arnsparger had once again created a top defense, known as the "Killer B's." This name came from many players' last names starting with "B."

LSU Head Coach

On December 2, 1983, Arnsparger was announced as the head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU). He stayed with the Dolphins until the NFL season ended. As LSU's head coach, Arnsparger led the Tigers to two Sugar Bowl appearances in three seasons (1984 and 1986).

In 1986, his LSU team won the school's first outright Southeastern Conference (SEC) title since 1970. This was LSU's last SEC title before the championship game era began.

By 1985, Arnsparger was becoming unhappy with some issues in the LSU athletic department. He felt that negative news was hurting football recruiting. After the 1986 regular season, Arnsparger announced he was leaving LSU. He decided to become the athletic director at the University of Florida.

University of Florida Athletic Director

At Florida, Arnsparger's job was to fix problems in the athletic department. The Florida Gators football team had faced many rule violations in the early 1980s. They were still dealing with penalties when Arnsparger arrived. This made the athletic department's finances weak.

More problems came up in 1989. The head football coach was accused of minor rule violations. This was a big issue because the team had just finished probation. The coach had to resign. The football program was put on probation again the next year.

Around the same time, the NCAA was looking into claims that the Florida Gators men's basketball program allowed sports agents to pay players. The long-time head basketball coach had to retire early.

Despite these challenges, Arnsparger worked to rebuild Florida's athletic program. He created better ways to follow NCAA rules. He also hired new coaches who would bring success. In December 1989, Arnsparger hired Duke University's Steve Spurrier as Florida's new football coach. Spurrier, who had won the Heisman Trophy as Florida's quarterback in 1966, became the school's all-time wins leader. He led the Gators to their first six conference titles and a national championship in 1996.

After a tough basketball season, Arnsparger hired Lon Kruger as Florida's new coach. Kruger led the Gators to their first Final Four appearance in 1994. The university's overall athletic program improved greatly under Arnsparger. Florida won its first three SEC All-Sports Trophies during his time there. This started a long period where Florida's sports program has been named the conference's best.

People who worked with Arnsparger said he was very focused and stuck to his plans. Looking back, many people give him credit for setting up the university's athletic department for huge success after he left. Jeremy Foley, who took over as athletic director, said Arnsparger helped "right the ship during a very difficult time."

Return to the NFL and Retirement

On January 13, 1992, Arnsparger resigned from Florida. He became the defensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers. During his three seasons with the Chargers, the team's defense got much better. This led to them playing in Super Bowl XXIX. Just a few days after the Super Bowl, Arnsparger announced his retirement. He mentioned that he had surgery for prostate cancer the year before.

Later Life and Passing

Arnsparger retired in 1995. He spent his time between homes in Kentucky and Alabama. His son, David, became a football coach at West Limestone High School in Alabama. Bill Arnsparger often visited practices to help out as a volunteer coach.

After several years of declining health, Bill Arnsparger passed away on July 17, 2015. He was 88 years old and died at his home in Athens, Alabama. He was survived by his wife, his son David, his daughter Mary Susan, and his grandchildren. He is buried at Paris Cemetery in Paris, Kentucky.

Head Coaching Records

NFL Record

College Record

See also

• Florida Gators
• List of Miami University people
• List of Sigma Chi members
• LSU Tigers
• University Athletic Association