Madden was offered a job with AFL's Oakland Raiders in 1967 as a linebacker coach. He spent two years there, and the team had a record of 26-4. In 1964, Madden moved on to San Diego State University, working as a defensive coordinator. His team posted a record of 12-6 during his tenure as head coach. In 1962, Madden was promoted to head coach at Hancock, spending two years there. Madden was also employed as a physical education teacher in Santa Maria, California, and had begun a coaching career on the college level, becoming assistant coach at Allan Hancock Junior College. They later married and had two sons, Mike and Joe. It was at California Polytechnic that Madden met his future wife, Virginia Fields, who was studying for her master's degree and teaching school. He returned to California Polytechnic to earn a master's degree in education.
#Is john madden still alive professional
Though Madden's professional playing career was over, he did not leave football. His one season as a professional player ended when he suffered a knee injury at training camp in 1959. In 1958, Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 21st round. There he was a two-year starter as both an offensive and defensive tackle in football, as well as a catcher on the baseball team. He resumed his football career when he transferred to California Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo, California. To that end, he enrolled one semester at the College of San Mateo, then briefly attended Grays Harbor College. After a year, he realized he did not like his pre-law studies and left the school and his scholarship behind.Ĭhanging his educational path, Madden decided to pursue an education degree. He studied pre-law for a year, but was kept out of varsity competition because of a knee operation. Played College Footballīecause of his prowess on the football field, Madden was given a football scholarship to the University of Oregon. It was there that he got the idea that successful people often went to college, and decided that he would be the first person in his family to attend. One job that Madden had in high school was as a golf caddy at the San Francisco Golf Club. However, much of his equipment was from castoffs. Madden played football, as well as basketball and baseball at Jefferson High School. Growing up in Daly City, Madden's father encouraged his son's interest in sports. To that end, he moved them to Daly City, California, in 1942 to get a better job. Madden's father was an auto mechanic who wanted a better life for his family. Madden was born on April 10, 1936, in Austin, Minnesota, the son of Earl and Mary (O'Flaherty) Madden. He was also known for his famous bus that he traveled in when he refused to fly in 1979. Madden capitalized on his celebrity by appearing in a number of commercials over the years. He was the youngest NFL coach to win a Super Bowl. Madden was a well-respected coach of the Raiders for ten years, winning the Super Bowl in 1977. Although John Madden became known as a great analyst and broadcaster for NFL (National Football League) games on the CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), Fox, and ABC (American Broadcasting Companies), he began his career as a coach for the AFL (American Football League later NFL) Oakland Raiders.