Bill Walsh, pro football's resident "genius," will be the keynote speaker at tonight's Nissan Hall of Honor/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Foundation awards banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Walsh started his illustrious career as head football coach at Washington High School in Fremont, Calif., then established himself as a top NFL assistant by developing quarterbacks and making innovations in the pro passing game.

After being named head coach and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979, Walsh built a dynasty that eventually won three Super Bowls and popularized the famed "West Coast Offense," which is now used throughout football at the pro, college and high school levels.

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, but respect for his leadership skills transcends the sport as he is a coveted motivational speaker who addresses Fortune 500 companies for honorariums of $25,000 or more.

A friend of Hawai'i since his days as a college teammate of Iolani graduates Merv Lopes and Charlie Ka'aihue at San Jose State, Walsh waived his speaker's fee in April 2005 at a free clinic for more than 100 Hawai'i high school coaches. He is waiving the fee again to speak at tonight's dinner.