Harry Gamble facts for kids
Gamble in 1973
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| Personal information | |
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| Born: | December 26, 1930 Pitman, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died: | January 28, 2014 (aged 83) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Rider University, Temple University |
| Career history | |
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| As executive: | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | NCAA: 35–55–2 (.391) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Harry T. Gamble was an important person in American football. He was a coach and also worked in leadership roles for teams. He coached college football at Lafayette College and the University of Pennsylvania. Later, he became the general manager for the Philadelphia Eagles, a famous NFL team. He was born on December 26, 1930, and passed away on January 28, 2014.
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Harry Gamble's Early Life and Coaching Start
Harry Gamble grew up in Pitman, New Jersey. He went to Rider College and played on the offensive line for their football team. He also earned advanced degrees from Temple University.
Before coaching college teams, Harry served in the United States Army. In 1953, he was a player and coach at Fort Meade. After that, he became a head football coach at two high schools in New Jersey: Clayton High School and Audubon High School. In 1960, he was even named "South Jersey Coach of the Year." In 1962, he moved to college football, becoming the line coach for the Penn Quakers.
Coaching College Football Teams
Harry Gamble became a head coach for college teams. From 1967 to 1970, he led the Lafayette Leopards. His team had a record of 21 wins and 19 losses during those years.
After Lafayette, he became the head coach for the Penn Quakers from 1971 to 1980. His record there was 34 wins, 55 losses, and 2 ties. After the 1980 season, the university wanted him to change his coaching staff. Harry refused, and because of that, he was fired.
In 1981, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He started as an unpaid assistant coach under Dick Vermeil. The next year, in 1982, he became the Eagles' special teams coach and tight ends coach. He also began to take on some administrative duties for the team.
Becoming a Football Executive
In 1983, a new head coach, Marion Campbell, took over the Eagles. The general manager, Jim Murray, was fired. Susan Tose Spencer, an Eagles' vice president, offered Harry Gamble a chance to work in the team's main office.
Harry took the opportunity. In 1983, he worked as an administrative assistant for coaching and player personnel. In 1984, he became the director of football administration. He started taking on many of the duties that the previous general manager had.
In 1985, Harry Gamble was officially promoted to general manager. He was the first person with a strong football background to hold this role for the Eagles since 1972. A few months later, when Norman Braman bought the team, Harry also received the title of vice president.
The very next year, Harry was promoted again to president and chief operating officer. This was his third big promotion in just 17 months, and his sixth in five years! Under Harry's leadership, the Eagles became a very successful team financially. From 1988 to 1993, they were one of the teams with the most wins in the NFL. However, they were never able to reach the Super Bowl during this time.
When Jeffrey Lurie bought the team in 1994, Harry Gamble stayed on. But he wasn't part of Lurie's closest group of advisors. He decided to resign on March 30, 1995. After leaving the Eagles, he became the NFL's director of football operations. He retired from that role in 1998.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring, Harry Gamble spent some time as an ambassador for the NFL in Russia. He lived in Haddonfield, New Jersey, with his wife, Joan. One of his sons, Tom, also became an executive in the NFL, following in his father's footsteps. Harry Gamble passed away on January 28, 2014, at the age of 83.
