Former 49er coach Walsh will camp at UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Former San Francisco 49er head coach Bill Walsh will attend the University of Hawai'i football team's training camp in August.

While details must be finalized, UH coach June Jones said Walsh has agreed to speak with the Warriors and offer pointers.

"I consider Bill Walsh to be the most influential person in professional football in the last 25 years," Jones said. "I consider it to be an honor that he will help us."

Walsh is regarded as one of the architects of the West Coast Offense. He helped develop 49er quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young and wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Jones said his run-and-shoot offense incorporates "about 30 to 40 percent of (Walsh's) schemes. We don't use a tight end, and he does, but a lot of the schemes are the same."

Jones said he considers Walsh and former pro and college coach Mouse Davis to be his greatest influences in football.

Jones and Walsh have known each other for nearly three decades, but they became closer during Walsh's recent visit to the Islands. They met several times, exchanging ideas and suggestions.

"I wish I had taped our conversations," Jones said.

Instead, Jones invited Walsh, who recently retired as the 49ers' general manager, to attend the Warriors' two-week training camp on the Manoa campus.

Walsh, who rarely agrees to work camps, accepted the invitation.

"We're going to work around his schedule," Jones said.

Jones said Walsh will not charge an appearance fee.

"He's doing it as a personal favor," Jones said.

In the past, Jones has invited Vietnam War veterans and other motivational speakers to training camps.