Rick Forzano, American football coach, Died at 90

Richard Edward Forzano was born on November 20, 1928 and died on January 10, 2019.

He was an American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels, most prominently as head coach of the National Football League's Detroit Lions from 1974 to 1976.

However, his football playing career ended by a high school eye injury, he then  turned to coaching and earned his first two opportunities at two Akron, Ohio high schools. 

His success led to his first college head coaching position at the University of Connecticut, where he was 7–10–1 in two years. 

During 1966, Forzano went on to become an NFL coach with the first of two seasons as the St. Louis Cardinals' offensive backfield coach.

He was known as a strict disciplinarian. However, Forzano was unable to lead the team to a winning record and resigned on October 4, 1976 after the team lost three of its first four games. 

Forzano completed his Lions' tenure with a 15–17 record and never returned to coaching, focusing on his own company, Rick Forzano Associates. 

That company, based in Detroit, serves as a manufacturer's sales representative.

He was  also served as a commentator for Big Ten Conference football games.

Rick Forzano passed away at 90 years old.