Former football coach John McKay dead at 77
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Whether John McKay was winning national championships at Southern California or weathering the worst stretch of futility in NFL history at Tampa Bay, his sense of humor never lost its bite.
Associated Press library photo • March 31, 1976
The legendary coach, who won four national titles at USC while popularizing the "I" formation, died yesterday at St. Joseph's Hospital of kidney failure due to complications from diabetes. He was 77.
John McKay, former coach of the USC Trojans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was quick with a quip even in bad times.
McKay was the first and by far the most colorful coach in Buccaneers history.
In addition to a reputation for being innovative and having an eye for talent, he will be remembered for spicing up news conferences with quips.
"John McKay never bit his tongue," said former Bucs quarterback and current Grambling coach Doug Williams.
Following one of his many losses during Tampa Bay's formulative years, he delivered one of his most memorable one-liners when a reporter asked about his team's execution.
"I think it's a good idea," he said.
The Bucs lost their first 26 games under McKay, an NFL record, before rebounding to become the first expansion team to make it to a conference title game within it first four seasons in 1979.
