Who is Dennis Green?
Why is he in my life?
Who is Dennis Green?
The youngest of five brothers, Green was an all-Pennsylvania
running back and class president at John Harris High School before attending the
University of Iowa where he started for one season as a flanker followed by two
at running back for the Hawkeyes. He earned honorable mention all-Big Ten
Conference honors in 1969-70.
Following his college career, Green played defensive back briefly for the
British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League in 1971.Green returned to
Iowa to begin his coaching career in 1972, followed by stops at Dayton (1973),
Iowa again (1974-76), Stanford (1977-78), the San Francisco 49ers (1979), and
Stanford again (1980) before accepting his first head-coaching position at
Northwestern. He spent 1986-88 with the 49ers before becoming the head coach at
Stanford and Minnesota.
The father of two has spent the last 25 years working his way through the college and professional football coaching ranks, much of that time as a protégé of coaching guru Bill Walsh at Stanford University and later with the San Francisco 49ers. Green got his break in 1981 when he was named the head coach at Northwestern, where he not only became the first Black head coach in the Big Ten, but also won the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1982. Seven years later, Green became head coach at Stanford.
Since he joined the Vikings in 1992, Green has captured two NFL division titles, winning an average of 9 out of 16 games each season. Those numbers put Green in good company. Among the 16 coaches who have won Super Bowls in the history of the NFL, only four have won more games than Green in their first four seasons. Of all the coaches in the history of the NFL, only Green and six others have had winning seasons in their first three years. This season appears to be no different. Green, who was a running back at Iowa State University in the late '60s, has coached his team to its best starting record in more than two decades.
Northwestern (1981-85). Win. pct: .181 (10-45) This
record isn't impressive until you take into account previous coach Rick
Venturini was 1-31. After an 0-11 start, Green posted seasons of 3-8, 2-9
(twice) and 3-8 before moving on to Stanford.
Stanford (1989-91). Win. pct: .470 (16-18) Bettered his record each
season, going from 3-8 to 5-6 to 8-4 and a berth in the 1991 Aloha Bowl.
Minnesota Vikings (1992-2001). Win. pct: .610 (97-62) Took the Vikes to
the playoffs eight times in 10 seasons, His best team was the 1998 squad
that was 15-1. His total record was 101-70. Green used seven different
quarterbacks while getting the Vikings into the playoffs eight times in 10
years.
Green and his wife Marie donate their time to the "Meals on Wheels" program, delivering meals to senior citizens. Their other charitable endeavors include the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Paul, the Community Bridge Consortium of Maplewood, the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, Friendship Ventures in Annandale, the Minnesota Special Olympics, the PACER Center in Minneapolis, Project Offstreets in Minneapolis, the Second Harvest Food Bank of St. Paul, The Jacob Wetterling Foundation in St. Joseph and the United Negro College Fund of Minneapolis
Following his collegiate career, Dennis Green played defensive back briefly for British Columbia of the Canadian Football League in '71.
In '93, Green, who earned his degree in recreation education at Iowa, received Pop Warner's Golden Football Award for his distinguished record of service to youth, community, country and humanity.
An avid fisherman, Green had hosted a bass tournament to benefit the Minneapolis Boys and Girls Clubs Outdoor Programs. He also serves on their Board of Directors and as a Trustee. Green also started the "Bus Green Music Team," named after his late father, to provide musical instruments and music education for inner city youth. He also enjoys playing the drums, keeping a set at the Vikings' practice facility. During the season the Green Academic Team offers to active young student.
Arizona Cardinals Dennis is now the head coach of the Cardinals.
Why is he in my life?
One of Dennis Green disappointments led to his greatest joy. It was playoff time and Dennis and his Minnesota Vikings lost is the last seconds of the game and were out of the playoffs. The next day I received a phone call from Dennis saying that a friend had recommended me and asked me if I would officiate at his wedding the following Saturday. I had watched the Vikings play football on television many times and always thought Green was not only one of the best coaches in football, but he was always a gentleman.
The wedding was at the L'auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa in Del Mar, California. As Dennis and I were standing on the sun patio, in front of his guest, waiting for the bride to arrive down the isle we were visiting a little with each other. All at once the bride entered the area and Dennis said laud enough for the first couple of row to hear "wow she sure is beautiful."
Now Dennis is the head coach for the Arizona Cardinal and now I root for the Cardinals as well as for the Chargers.
© 2005
This web site designed by Jack Nichols
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