Gary Moeller obituary: former Michigan head football coach dies at 81
Gary Moeller was a former head football coach at the University of Michigan who led the Wolverines to 3 Big Ten Conference championship titles.
Michigan head coach
Gary Moeller was a native of Ohio who played linebacker at Ohio State University for Coach Woody Hayes. He coached high school football and was an assistant coach at Miami of Ohio and Michigan before becoming the head coach at Illinois. After a losing record in 3 seasons at Illinois, he came back to Michigan as an assistant coach. Taking over for legendary head coach Bo Schembechler in 1990, he led the Wolverines to 3 Big Ten Titles and was Big Ten coach of the year twice in five seasons. He led them to a Rose Bowl win over Washington in 1993. He resigned in 1995 after he was arrested for a drunken outburst in a suburban Detroit restaurant. He then became an assistant coach in the NFL and took over as interim head coach for the Detroit Lions for 7 games in 2000, posting a 4-3 record. His last coaching job was in 2003 when he was the Chicago Bears linebackers coach.
Notable Quote
“I have left my job as head football coach, but I still have my family and dignity.” – he said after resigning from Michigan football in 1995
Tributes to Gary Moeller
We join the Michigan football community in remembering the life and career of Gary Moeller, who served as the Lions’ assistant head coach/LB coach from 1997-2000, as well as interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2000 season. pic.twitter.com/vpsW21cjHO
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 11, 2022
REST IN PEACE to former Michigan football head coach Gary Moeller
Moeller was Bo’s hand-picked successor, leading Michigan for 5 seasons 1990-94. He’s the only coach ever at Michigan to serve as both OC and DC for the program.
He had a 44–13–3 record as Michigan’s head coach. pic.twitter.com/3MwojCLMp2
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) July 11, 2022
Wrote a story for #TheWolverine that featured Gary Moeller. When I reached him he said “You don’t want to talk to me. I’m a nobody.” One of the best interviews I ever experienced. He was incredibly gracious, humble, witty and insightful. #RIP
— Michael Spath (@MichaelSpathITH) July 12, 2022
Full Obituary: Detroit Free Press
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