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Former Michigan coach Gary Moeller passes away at 81 years old

by:Austin Brezina•07/11/22•

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Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images

Former Michigan football head coach Gary Moeller passed away on Monday morning at the age of 81 years old. Moeller spent 23 years as a member of the Wolverines program, serving as head coach from 1990-94. Following his career with Michigan, Moeller moved to the NFL ranks and eventually earned the head coaching job for the Detroit Lions for seven games.

Former Michigan coach Gary Moeller passes away

“Former Michigan head coach Gary Moeller, who spent 23 years associated with the Michigan football program, passed away this morning in Lima, Ohio, the school confirmed. Moeller was 81 years old,” detailed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Moeller was one of only 11 coaches in school history to remain with the program for more than 20 years, and his success was immediate as head coach. Moeller won the Big Ten title in his first season as coach. The Wolverines went on to win four bowl games under Moeller during his five years as head coach, and posted a 44-13-3 record. Michigan finished in the top 20 in national polling for all five years of his tenure as head coach, and won the 1993 Rose Bowl against Washington.

The Wolverines also set a Big Ten record under Moeller when they won 19 consecutive conference games spanning from 1990 through 1992.

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Moeller began his coaching career with Michigan in 1969 as a defensive ends coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1973. Under Moeller as leader of the defense, Michigan led the nation in scoring defense in 1974 and 1976.

Following his career at Michigan, Moeller made the leap to the NFL as tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals under coach David Shula. Two years later, he joined the Detroit Lions as assistant head coach and linebackers coach. In 2000, Moeller was named head coach of the Lions after Bobby Ross resigned just nine games into the season. He led the Lions to a 4-3 record in his seven-game stint as coach — the first Lions coach since Joe Schmidt to have a winning record during his tenure.