George Wilson (American football coach)
| Position: | End | ||
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | February 3, 1914 | ||
| Place of birth: | Chicago, Illinois | ||
| Date of death: | November 23, 1978 (aged 64) | ||
| Place of death: | Detroit, Michigan | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: |
Austin (Chicago, Illinois) SJNMA (Delafield, Wisconsin) |
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| College: | Northwestern | ||
| Undrafted: | 1937 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| As coach: | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Head coaching record | |||
| Career: | 68–84–8 (.450) | ||
| Player stats at PFR | |||
| Coaching stats at PFR | |||
| Player stats at NFL.com |
George William Wilson, Sr. (February 3, 1914 – November 23, 1978) was a professional football end and later a coach for the National Football League (NFL)'s Detroit Lions and the American Football League (AFL)'s Miami Dolphins. Wilson attended and played football at Northwestern University. He went undrafted in 1937, before being signed by the Chicago Bears. Wilson played for 10 seasons with the Bears, compiling overall record of 111 pass receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. He was a member of the Bears during their five appearances in the National Football League Championship Game from 1940–1943 and 1946, playing in the 1943 championship. Additionally, he was selected for the NFL All-Star Game from 1940–1942. He also played one season of professional basketball for the Chicago Bruins in 1939–40.
His coaching career began with the Bears in 1947, when he became an assistant coach to George Halas. After just two seasons with Chicago, Wilson left in 1949 for another assistant coaching position with the Detroit Lions, a division rival of the Bears. Prior to the 1957 season, he succeeded Buddy Parker as head coach. In his first year as head coach, Wilson guided Detroit to a 8–4 season and victory in the 1957 NFL Championship Game, the most recent league championship for the Lions. For his efforts, Wilson was awarded the first Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award. He remained with the Lions until 1964, though they were unable to replicate their success of 1957. Wilson then served for one year as an assistant coach to the Washington Redskins in 1965. Shortly after the season ended, Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie hired Wilson as the first head coach of the new AFL franchise in 1966. His son, George Wilson Jr., was a starting quarterback during the team's first season. Wilson, Sr. was unable to obtain a winning record in his four seasons with Miami. He was fired in February 1970 and replaced by Don Shula.
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