Baugh Passes; Hall of Famer, First Titans Coach
Posted by on December 18, 2008 – 10:15 amWe note with sadness the passing of legendary passer and punter Sammy Baugh, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and the first coach of the New York Titans, on Wednesday at the age of 94.
Baugh died at his beloved 7,600-acre Double Mountain Ranch in Rotan in West Texas, where he lived and didn’t stray far from shortly after leaving the Titans following the 1961 season and being inducted into the Hall’s inaugural class in 1962.
I had the honor of speaking with Sammy in 2001. I found him to be a crusty, profane and humorous fellow and I understood why, for example, Titans DB Fred Julian called Baugh "a very unique individual who was really a lot of fun to play for."
"I think I stayed there for two years," Baugh recalled of his Titans sojourn. "I enjoyed the boys more than any other damn thing.
"Harry Wismer was the owner and he had been with the Redskins when I was there — he announced the games [on radio]. I knew him real well. He moved on to the Titans and offered me the job. ‘There’ll be some happy days there’ — that’s exactly the way he worded it.
"I told him, ‘Hell, I don’t want to get that far away from home,’ " Baugh reflected. "We were in New York City and I was miserable. I didn’t like the big city at all — I still don’t. I just got some coaches, Dick Todd, [Hugh] ‘Bones’ Taylor and that bunch. We had a pretty good thing going."
That inaugural season of 1960, Baugh’s Titans became one of the poster teams for the wild, wide-open nature of the American Football League, leading the new league in scoring offense (27.3 points per game) while bringing up the rear in scoring defense (28.5 ppg).
After that first season, "Slingin’ Sammy" wasn’t sure he wanted to re-up.
"I told Harry I might not be able to come up for the second year. He told me to come up if I could," Baugh recalled. "My coaches were up there with me. If they weren’t going to go, I wasn’t going to go. But we made it up there."
One of the things that made it worth while was perhaps Baugh’s best personal move in his two seasons at the helm. As a one-time NFL champion quarterback, he knew that a QB’s best friend was a dynamic receiving duo. He had one half of such a tandem in Don Maynard, and he convinced the notoriously tight-fisted Wismer to spend a little bit to bring Art Powell in from the CFL.
"Harry asked me, ‘If we can do just one thing to help the ballclub, what would you say we needed?’ " he said. "I said we needed a damn end opposite Maynard or else other teams would double-team Maynard all the time. Art was a big, fast guy who made the difference in our ballclub. When we got him, we had two damn good pass receivers."
After ’61, Baugh left pro football for good. His legacy as Titans coach was a pair of 7-7 records and a handful of players who continued on to form a nucleus that helped carry the Jets of 1963 to the Super Bowl title five years later. He added that to his still-standing marks with the ‘Skins — team records for career TD passes (187), season completion percentage (70.3) — and his 51.4-yard gross punting average in 1940 that remains a league record to this day.
Up until his surgical right knee and other health problems reined him in, Baugh loved riding his horses and going to rodeos. And he loved golf.
"If I had my life to live over," he told me, "I would try to get someone to put me in golf from about 10 years of age. Hell, all these other sports, football, baseball, basketball, there comes a time when you know you’re through. But damned golf, you can play until you’re 100 years old."
Baugh nearly made it to three figures. But we’re glad he gave us 16 seasons as an NFL player and two years of guiding the Titans to viability before riding off into the sunset.
Tags: Don Maynard, New York Titans, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Washington Redskins
Posted in Randy Lange | 39 Comments »
By Jake on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Hey Randy
What Time Is Mangini’s Presser Today?
By Randy Lange on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Jake, Coach Mangini’s news conference has been pushed back to 11:30 a.m. today.
By uncle joe on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Honestly now, who knew about the passing of Sammy Baugh first,Randy or Ira?I have to admit I never heard of him,but My condolences to anyone who passes and their families.Especially around the Holidays!Rest in Peace.And again Thankyou to all our troops and their families for giving your lives so we can live ours GoodLuck and God Bless.
By uncle joe's The Way I See It on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
The way I see it,teams that are too hot before the playoff run fail.Miami is too hot and due for a let down.The Jets were hot too early & then cooled down.The ELAM & Ellis play sparked something & now with 2 games left, if we get hot it will carry over to the Playoffs.We already got our “LetDown” games out of the way.Adversity if dealt with correctly makes you STRONGER!
By JETFOREAL on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
check it out sammy was drafted by the skins in 34 as 1st rd for 8k and at the time was the highest paid player, what’s that 10k less then what these guys get fined today. LOL the nick name slinging sammy was giving to him whe he played baseball for the cards,and in 41 he took up acting landing the role in the series king of tx rangers for 6.5k my god how the times and incomes have changed mayheRIP
By jak, 20 wk jet fan on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
AS 1 POSTER ALREADY STATED SAMMYS PUNT AVG WAS AND IS AMAZING,ADD TO THAT THE LESS AERODYNAMIC BALL AND THE AVG IS EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR. I JUST ASSUMED RAY GUY HELD THAT RECORD. I ALWAYS HEARD OF SAMMY AS A QB. 94 YEARS IS A GOOD LONG LIFE..R.I.P.
By russ on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Any more Mangini;s the problem posts and I respectfully ask you spend more time learning about football.. There are enough semi-professional jerks in media who spend all their time 2nd guessing their teams performance…It is only true that their insights are only hindsight…a common trait of losers…
By MikeMc on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
WOW Russ, where have you been? Great post.
By wayne on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
RESPECTFULLY, there will be more Mangini comments, positive ones when he stops getting outcoached,starts chewing out some players for bonehead plays instead of just eating on sideline,makes adjustments in gameplans once he sees what opponents are doing,stops coaching scared.Football is running,blocking,tackling,throwing,catching. Teams that do it best win consistently.IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
By wayne on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
He’s had no answers for how teams are attacking Jets. Puts more men in coverage. Receivers are still wide open in coverage, but now there’s no pass rush and the run defense is now suffering for same reason.I hope they’re not afraid.Now they have live up to they’re pro bowl billings.I hope it’s not too much pressure for them.They have pretty week psyche already.Chad’s coming..Can you feel it?DRAMA!
By JETFOREAL on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
russ the only LOSERS are us the fans. you wanna sit in your chair of denial and eat your popcorn and play RA RA for MANGINI thats fine. but some of us expect better results as long as Mangini walks the sidelines confused we wont win like wayne said this is not rocket sci. 3 years for Mangini to develop into A SUB PAR COACH while Mike tomlin is making another championship run! you think about that
By MikeMc on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Wayne post any comments you want I’m not trying to censor you.I just watched Mangini’s weds press conf. & I love this guy, he cares about his team, hes articulate,prepared & knowledgeable. He doesn’t coach scared, never panics. Hes young & lacking playoff credibility but that will come in time. I personally hope he gets a 5 year extension so we can have consistancy with the program. Go Jets!!!
By MikeMc on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Another thing thats been grinding my gears is this “outcoached” business. Coaches teach, research the opponent & devise a game plan. The players need to make plays. There are good game plans, bad ones & poorly executed ones. Either you can coach or you cant ,period. If he was great in Tenn & NE,how can he stink vs SF & Den? Mangini needs work on his in game adjustments& a better DC. Give him time.
By JETFOREAL on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Mangini & Sutton People hey hey pull that bus over to the side of the NJ Turnpike OK i want the Mangini people over here and the Sutton people over there.were leaving I represent the angry meat eating Mangini gotta go people YOU GUYS CRACK ME UP you hang around your shiny happy bus quoting happy praise hoping and praying he wins a solid game lets win it for the Coach boys WAKE UP PEOPLE he is done
By Drew on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
WOW!!!!! Russ is my hero…..Well said sir!!!!! After reading that and MikeMc posts I have nothing else to add. Great job boys!!
By wayne on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
We have a difference of opinions, that’s perfectly ok with….I respect you opinion.
By Howie D on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
7 Pro Bowl picks prooves the point I’ve been harping all season – the coaching isn’t good enough – too inconsistent. While I’ll cut Mangini some slack because of his youth, OC & DC must change. Mediocre players look like superstars against us. We need coaches who can read plays and adjust as the game progresses. We have the horses to win the races, the jockeys simply need to ride better.
By Frank on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Hey Mikey boy no extensions until the end of the season we don’t win the division he needs to go. He is the head coach and responsible for the product on the field. So far his game planning has been uneven and at his worst making in game adjustments which is probably the single most important talent a coach must have. Win the next 2 games and 1 playoff game then we’ll talk about extensions.
By Jeremy on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Mangini is a 500 coach. That’s all that needs to be said! With the talent this team has-that’s just not good enough. The only thing I want to see is the JETS make the playoffs! After that a new DC-Sutton has to GO or this team will never go anywhere! There are too many quality DC’s available that we can’t pass up!
Randy, Has a team w/ the most Pro Bowlers in the league ever missed the playoffs?
By Mike Jet Vet on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
All I’m going to say to the Mangini groupies once again & there new friend Russ..After 8 seasons Chad Penny has never played so good .. Vilma is playing like a stud & miller playing like a star all with other teams . & proves once again Mangini can’t develop or coach our guys up to there true potential Say what you want …Again facts only facts not fiction
By MikeMc on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Frank I feel you. Somebody’s head will role probably Sutton if we miss the Div . Title. Mangini is young & will not make the same mistakes year in & year out. There are too many positives to fire this promising Head Coach. All is not wins & losses in ’08, its also the future of the program that Tangini has put in motion. Stay the course, maybe change some parts & we will continue to win.
By Randy Lange on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Jeremy, I don’t know the answer to your question.
By jet jeff on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
with this team if they come up short it is strictly caoching russ, how do you explain the chargers underachievment except coaching , look at the quality teams ,all great staffs . pats, giants,titans, eagles, steelers, colts, panthers,
By jet jeff on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
mike jet vet , you are right on!! I mean they almost ruined pennington but parcells knew how good he could be and i didnt like the vilma trade from the beginning , I bet russ wants kotite back
By Tom Spicer on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
If the Jets win 1 of there final 2 games & finish 10 & 6 I think Mangini should be brought back 10 & 6 2 out of your 3 years hear is good for a 1st time head coach also if we get a new head coach most of the time the whole staff gets replaced so they may have to learn a whole new D & O which would set us back Tangini has spent 3 years drafting his type of players & getting rid of some good guys
By Tom Spicer on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
that did not fit his system (Vilma) I agree with McMike he is trying to build a program he may not be as emotional as everyone wants (myself included) & as far as Schotty I know sometimes his play calling is questionable but we avg. 27 points a game scoring that many points unless you D is garbage you should win my point is this I only think Sutton should go I want a aggresive guy who attacks not
By Tom Spicer on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
not one who reads & reacts. I want the Ravens to win this week I know FLJETFAN said if the Ravens lose even if we lose to the Seahawks as long as we beat Miami we are in but I do not want to back into the playoffs as the 6 seed & I hate the Pats & Miami & there fans I want both of them out if the Ravens win out & we win out both the Pats & Miami will be out
By Tom Spicer on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
I am telling you guys right now in the words of Jim Fassel THIS TEAM IS GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS GO ON THE BAND WAGON NOW OR GET OFF IF YOUR NOT ON NOW YOU CANT GET ON LATER SO STATE IF YOU ARE ON OR OFF NOW ! we are going to win out & get the 3rd seed & host a home playoff game the 6th seed we are going to knock out Miami & all of the Chad talk we stop the Pats are going to win out so pick who you
By Greg from Albany on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
I saw a post that I just couldn’t let pass. Pennington, Vilma and J. Miller were all mentioned as “allstars.” C’mon…Pennington…ok, playing well. Doing the same things he did as a Jet. high completions, few mistakes. Miller? He can’t cover the toothpaste. Hes doing well on KR. Should we bring him back and let Leon go? Vilma is playing ok. He fits well into a 4-3. Still no pro Bowl. Get a grip!!
By Rick Roucoulet on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Im pretty sure i NEVER seen a QB that leads the league in Int’s make the Pro Bowl…. I smell something fishy & its not swamps of the meadowlands or a breeze of the phins heading our way week 16
By Dunnie on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
I just read an awesome suggestion for nicknames of our RBs on the forum. GUNS N AMMO … Guns being TJ and Ammo being Leon .. awesome.
By jet jeff on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
o.k. no matter how we finish , just sutton to go for now!!
By MikeMc on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Spicer the voice of reason. I agree with your 10-6 assessment. There is plenty I’m not thrilled about with Mangini, but I feel forced to defend him because of the mad mob of haters that continue the “off with his head”posts. I feel the players also share the burden of responsibility. They need to perform or be held accountable just like the coach. Seems Favre is a hero no matter how he performs.
By JETFOREAL on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
BRAVO Mr. Spicer well count me in I love the train ride.love the Jets want to ride this baby long as I can.WELLSAID,VERY POSITIVE,QUITE TRUE lets GET THE WIN Sunday I know they got the talent to bring it! and take this game to them! seahawks are 1-6 at home 3-12 overall ,theJETS need to start playing like the playoff team they can be it wont get easier going forward so make the statement and NOW!
By Tom Spicer on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
want to play in the first round the Pats or the Ravens cause that is what is happening I would rather host the Ravens with a rookie QB & a rookie coach
By MikeMc on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Spicer first I want to get in. If I had to pick I would rather play the ’85 bears than the Pats Flacco has a live arm & Balt has a great D so that would be a challenge. At least we would be home. Mr. Coles meet Mr. Reed , ouch.
By Mike Jet Vet on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Here’s another fact for you Greg we should have drafted a big game receiver with lasts years # 6 & kept Vilma cause VG hasn’t contributed any thing at all with Vilma we had a good LB .. & as far as miller HELLO guess the kool aid is kicking in again we are last in the league in pass defence . As for Chad he’s having a g8 season throwing down field & completing at a alarming rate… Greg Mangini
By Drew on Dec 20, 2008 | Reply
Vet??? Miller is not even in the CB rotation for the Raiders. He is a kick returner. We have a Pro Bowl one in Leon. Enough with your Miller crush.
By shootem on Dec 21, 2008 | Reply
I can’t believe i’m saying this but I MISS HERM!!!