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Howard Mudd
Howard Mudd
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Howard Edward Mudd (February 10, 1942 – August 12, 2020) was an American professional football offensive lineman and coach. He retired in 1971 due to a knee injury, and began his coaching career at California the following year. From 1998 to 2009, he was the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL), with whom he won Super Bowl XLI.

Key Information

Early life

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Mudd was born on February 10, 1942, in Midland, Michigan. He attended Central Intermediate School, where he played football and baseball, and Midland High School, where he was captain of the football team under coach Bob Stoppert. He was an outstanding offensive lineman on the Midland High team that won the 1957 Michigan state championship.[1][2] First ranked Midland defeated second ranked Bay City Central 20–12, before 10,000 people at Bay City's stadium. The Midland team was inducted into the Midland County Hall of Fame in 1995.[3]

College

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Mudd went on to play college football at Michigan State and Hillsdale College. While at Michigan State he joined the Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity.[4] Mudd played football for Hillsdale College from 1960 to 1963, where he was a starting guard, played some tackle, and was a team captain; winning an NAIA All-American selection, and two Associated Press (AP) All-State awards. His play at the school led to his induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He received a Hillsdale alumni award in 2007.[5][3]

NFL player

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Mudd was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ninth round of the 1964 NFL draft.[6] The 49ers discovered Mudd when they went to scout a different player during a college game.[7] The 49ers later named Mudd to their All-Golden Era Team.[8] In one 49ers game against the Baltimore Colts, the defensive lineman playing opposite Mudd is said to have used a plastic shield on his hand to pound Mudd throughout the game, until Mudd became disoriented.[9]

Mudd played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), with the 49ers from 1964 to 1969, and the Chicago Bears from 1969 to 1970. Mudd was a three-time Pro Bowl starter in 1966, 1967, and 1968; an All-Pro twice; and a member of the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1960s as a guard (along with Gene Hickerson and Jerry Kramer). His career was shortened by injuries.[7][8][10][11] His last game was against the Green Bay Packers in November 1970, where he re-injured his knee and the Bears moved him from the roster to make room for another guard, Jim Cadile.[12]

Coaching career

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Mudd would go on to be an offensive line coach for 38 years.[10]

Mudd pursued a coaching career following his retirement as an NFL player. He spent two years as an assistant coach at California,[10] before moving to the NFL, and coaching for the San Diego Chargers (1974–1976), San Francisco 49ers (1977), Seattle Seahawks (1978–1982, 1993–1997), Cleveland Browns (1983–1988) and Kansas City Chiefs (1989–1992) between 1974 and 1997.[8]

He then joined the Indianapolis Colts as an offensive line coach, where he coached from 1998 to 2009. During his 12 years in Indianapolis, the Colts allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL, with 218 sacks in 182 games. From 1998 to 2009, the offensive line was either first or tied for first in fewest sacks allowed five times, and was never lower than tenth in fewest sacks allowed. This is especially impressive when the high number of passing plays the Colts attempted during that time period was taken into account. Peyton Manning played for the Colts for 11 of those 12 years, and credits much of his success to the protection he received from Mudd's front line.[13][8]

On May 6, 2009, ESPN reported that Mudd had filed his retirement papers due to a change in the NFL's pension program.[14] On May 20, 2009, Mudd returned to the team as the senior offensive line coach. Mudd planned to retire for good following the Colts' game against the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.[15]

In May 2010, Mudd and New Orleans Saints offensive line coach Aaron Kromer were together for a coaching clinic in Cincinnati, at which time Kromer approached Mudd about serving as a temporary consultant with the Saints. Mudd first advised the Saints during the 2010 offseason, then returned for the opening of training camp. In reference to his association with the Saints, Mudd said "He (Kromer) asked me to come down and spend a little time, and I said, 'OK'. I'll only be here a couple of days. That's it."[16]

Mudd was named the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, after being talked out of retirement by then Eagles head coach Andy Reid, on February 2, 2011.[17] In Mudd's first season with the Eagles, they allowed 17 fewer sacks than they had the previous season, and the least number of sacks (32) since 2008. The line helped LeSean McCoy lead the NFL in total touchdowns (20), along with 1,309 rushing yards and 1,624 total yards, while being named an All-Pro. Along with All-Pro Jason Peters, Mudd's line also included rookie Jason Kelce, who Mudd made his starting center, and who went on to a stellar career with the Eagles until retiring in 2023. Kelce said of Mudd, "'Howard took a chance on me. He wanted me and he looked at my strengths. Everyone was talking about me being 'undersized' but Howard saw my strengths and he played to them....'"[18][10][19] Mudd had urged the Eagles to draft Kelce.[20]

Mudd had hip surgery during the 2011 season, yet continued to coach his players using crutches and a golf cart, known as the Muddmobile.[21] The 71-year-old Mudd retired again at the conclusion of the 2012 season.[22]

On February 7, 2019, the Colts hired Mudd as a senior offensive assistant,[23] but Mudd stepped down from the position on September 6, 2019.[24]

Impact on football

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Mudd developed the silent snap count to deal with fan noise affecting communication between the quarterback and offensive line. This was in response to an increase in fan noise at stadiums over the years, and the inability of the offensive tackles to timely block rushing defensive ends, which was increasing the number of quarterback sacks. Under Mudd's guidance, the first successful silent count practitioners were Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday and Tarik Glenn of the Indianapolis Colts. Eventually, every NFL team has come to use the silent count Mudd created.[25]

Mudd's career emphasized the importance of assistant coaches. In 2014, the Professional Football Writers of America established the Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach. Mudd, along with Jim Johnson, Fritz Shurmur and Ernie Zampese, were the first to receive the award in 2014.[26]

Mudd authored the book, The View From the O-Line.[27]

Death

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Mudd died on August 12, 2020, at the age of 78, of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident two weeks prior. Colts' owner Jim Irsay tweeted: "Rest in peace, Howard Mudd. Howard was a GREAT player during a shortened career and then became one of the game's all-time greatest offensive line coaches. He contributed to many different teams over 47 years in our league---but he will always be a Colt."[28]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Howard Mudd (February 10, 1942 – August 12, 2020) was an American and coach, best known for his tenure as an offensive guard in the () during the and his later success as an offensive line coach, including a championship with the . Born in , Mudd attended , where he earned NAIA All-American honors as an offensive lineman during his two seasons with the team. Selected in the ninth round (113th overall) of the by the , he played guard for the 49ers from 1964 to 1969 and the from 1969 to 1970, appearing in 93 games before retiring after the 1970 season due to a knee injury. During his playing career, Mudd was selected to three Pro Bowls (1966, 1967, and 1968), earned first-team honors in 1967 and 1968, and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the . Transitioning to coaching, Mudd began as the offensive line coach at the , in 1972 before entering the in 1974 with the . Over nearly four decades, he coached offensive lines for eight teams, including stints with the , , , , , , Phoenix Cardinals, and (1998–2009 and 2019 as senior offensive assistant). His most notable achievement came with the Colts, where he helped develop one of the league's top offensive lines, culminating in a victory in following the 2006 season, and was inducted into the in 2007. Mudd died in at age 78 from injuries sustained in a accident two weeks earlier.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Howard Mudd was born on February 10, 1942, in . Growing up in the small industrial city known for its chemical industry, Mudd developed an early interest in sports through participation in football and at Central Intermediate School. Mudd attended Midland High School, where he played as an offensive lineman for the Midland Chemics under coach Bob Stoppert. During his high school career, he earned Second-Team All-State honors as a junior in 1957 and First-Team All-State recognition as a senior in 1958. In his junior year in 1957, Mudd contributed to the team's state championship victory in Michigan Class A football. His performances highlighted his potential, including initial exposure to advanced line techniques and physical conditioning methods emphasized by his coaches. Following his graduation from Midland High School in 1959, Mudd briefly attended Michigan State University before transferring to Hillsdale College to continue his football career.

College Career

Howard Mudd transferred to Hillsdale College from Michigan State in 1960 and played football there through 1963, graduating in 1964 with a degree in biology. As an offensive lineman, he primarily started at guard but also saw action at tackle, earning a reputation for his powerful blocking during his two seasons as a starter. In his senior year, Mudd served as team captain, providing leadership to the Chargers under coach Frank "Muddy" Waters. Mudd's on-field contributions were instrumental in Hillsdale's back-to-back winning seasons in 1962 and 1963, where his dominant play in the trenches helped anchor the offensive line. He received NAIA All-American honors as a guard in 1963, along with two All-American selections during his tenure at the small NAIA program. These accolades highlighted his technical soundness and ability to protect the quarterback while opening lanes for the run game, paving the way for Mudd's professional opportunities despite coming from a modest background. For his collegiate achievements, Mudd was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1997 and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1979. These honors recognize his pivotal role in elevating the program's competitiveness and his lasting impact as a trailblazing lineman from a non-major Division I school.

Playing Career

San Francisco 49ers

Howard Mudd was selected by the in the ninth round (113th overall) of the out of . Despite being a late-round pick from a small school, Mudd quickly earned a spot on the roster as a guard and transitioned effectively to professional football, leveraging his college experience in a physically demanding NAIA program. Mudd played for the 49ers from 1964 to 1969, appearing in 75 games and making 56 starts primarily at right guard. In 1969, he appeared in 5 games before being traded mid-season. He became a fixture on the offensive line starting in his second season, contributing to the team's efforts during a period of rebuilding under head coach and later Dick Nolan. His consistent performance earned him three consecutive selections from 1966 to 1968, as well as First-Team honors in 1968 (consensus, including AP and NEA) and in 1967 (NEA). As a key member of the 49ers' offensive line, Mudd provided essential blocking for quarterback , helping to protect the passer and open lanes for the run game during an era when the team emphasized a balanced attack. His technical proficiency and durability were recognized league-wide, leading to his inclusion on the NFL's All-Decade for the as one of the top guards of the period. Mudd's tenure with marked his peak as a player, establishing him as a reliable starter before injuries prompted his move to the in 1970.

Chicago Bears

In mid-1969, Howard Mudd was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Chicago Bears in exchange for cornerback Rosey Taylor and a fifth-round draft pick, bringing his established reputation as a Pro Bowl guard to bolster the Bears' offensive line. Mudd played as a left guard for the Bears over the 1969 and 1970 seasons, appearing in 18 games with 11 starts. In 1969, he started four of eight games, helping stabilize a line that supported a balanced but struggling offense during a 1-13 campaign. The following year, under head coach Jim Dooley, Mudd started seven of 10 games as the Bears improved to 6-8, contributing to a struggling offense that ranked 25th in the NFL with 1,092 rushing yards and 15th with 2,173 passing yards. Mudd's time in Chicago was marked by physical challenges, including a severe knee injury sustained seven games into the 1970 season that severely limited his mobility and required multiple surgeries, including eventual knee replacements. Despite these setbacks, he provided veteran leadership to a young line but earned no selections during his Bears tenure. The injury, compounded by years of wear from his aggressive playing style, prompted Mudd to retire at age 28 after the 1970 season.

Coaching Career

Early Coaching Roles

After retiring from the in 1971 due to a sustained during his playing career with the and , Howard Mudd transitioned into coaching, drawing on his experience as an All-Decade offensive lineman to mentor the next generation of players. Mudd began his coaching career in 1972 as the offensive line coach at the , under head coach Mike White, where he served for two seasons through 1973. In this role, he worked with the Golden Bears' young offensive linemen during a period when the team averaged just four wins per season and extended its drought to 15 years. In 1974, Mudd entered the as the offensive line coach for the , joining head coach Tommy Prothro's staff and remaining in the position through the 1976 season. During these three years, the ' offensive line supported a ground game that featured running backs such as Don Woods and Rickey Young, though the team struggled overall with an average of four wins per season and no playoff appearances. Mudd's early tenure laid the groundwork for his long-standing reputation in player development along the offensive front.

NFL Positions and Teams

Howard Mudd began his NFL coaching career as the offensive line coach for the from 1974 to 1976. He then moved to the in 1977, serving in the same role for one season. From 1978 to 1982, Mudd served as the offensive line coach for the , contributing to the development of the expansion franchise's early offensive foundation during its formative years. In 1983, Mudd joined the as offensive line coach, a position he held through the 1988 season under head coaches and . During this period, he oversaw the unit during the era, helping the Browns achieve competitive rushing outputs in the AFC, including leading the conference in rushing yards per game in with 142.8 yards. Following his Browns tenure, Mudd coached the ' offensive line from 1989 to 1992. Mudd rejoined the Seattle Seahawks as offensive line coach for a second stint from 1993 to 1997. He then spent the longest portion of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as offensive line coach from 1998 to 2009 under head coaches Jim Mora, Tony Dungy, and Jim Caldwell. In this role, Mudd was instrumental in crafting protections that supported quarterback Peyton Manning's record-setting passing efficiency, including during the Colts' Super Bowl XLI victory in 2007. After leaving the Colts following the 2009 season, Mudd had a brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 before serving as offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He returned to the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 as a senior offensive assistant. Mudd's NFL coaching career spanned from 1974 to 2019 across seven teams.

Coaching Philosophy and Innovations

Howard Mudd played a pivotal role in refining the zone blocking scheme for the NFL offensive line during the 1990s, shifting emphasis from traditional man-to-man assignments to angle leverage and combination blocks that allowed linemen to work in tandem and adapt to defensive movements. This approach, which Mudd detailed in his 1997 presentation on the inside zone play, prioritized linemen reading defenses and blocking areas rather than specific opponents, enabling more fluid run schemes. His methodologies were later formalized in the "Mudd's Methods" training system, a comprehensive library of offensive line techniques shared through coaching clinics and instructional courses starting in the early 2000s. Central to Mudd's philosophy was a relentless focus on foundational skills, including precise footwork drills to maintain balance, quick hand placement for control, and body positioning to redirect rushers effectively. These elements were drilled repetitively to build instinctive responses, contributing to the development of numerous offensive linemen under his guidance, such as center and tackle Tarik Glenn during his tenure with the . Mudd's techniques emphasized athleticism over sheer size, particularly in pass protection, where he advocated for smaller, quicker guards who could mirror speed rushers and maintain leverage through aggressive sets. Mudd's innovations extended to integrating flexibility and mobility training to enhance linemen's , drawing from his broader emphasis on holistic player development. These principles influenced modern schemes, notably powering the Colts' potent offenses during their Super Bowl-contending years from 2006 to 2010, where zone elements complemented a high-powered passing attack.

Legacy and Honors

Awards and Recognitions

During his playing career, Howard Mudd earned selection to the three times, in 1966, 1967, and 1968, as a guard for the . He was also named a first-team in 1967 and 1968 by various selectors, including the in 1968. Additionally, Mudd was honored as part of the NFL's All-Decade Team for the , recognizing his contributions as one of the league's top offensive linemen during that era. Mudd's excellence as a player led to consideration for induction into the through the Seniors Committee, though he was not selected; he appeared on preliminary nominee lists as early as 1996 and remained a noted candidate among offensive linemen from his period. In his extensive coaching career, Mudd received the Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award from the in 2014, the organization's inaugural lifetime achievement honor for NFL assistant coaches, shared with Jim Johnson, , and . This recognition highlighted his 40-year tenure as an offensive line coach across multiple teams, including his pivotal role with the from 1998 to 2009. Mudd was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2025 as part of the class honoring his contributions as offensive line coach for the (1978–1982, 1993–1997, 2010, 2014–2018). He was also enshrined in the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1979 for his college playing career at , where he earned honors. In 2024, Mudd was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions as a player.

Impact on Offensive Line Development

Howard Mudd revolutionized offensive line by shifting the focus from reactive blocking to a proactive, athletic approach that emphasized aggression and adaptability in pass protection. His "Mudd Technique" instructed linemen to treat every pass play as if it were a play-action run, using angled sets to engage defenders early and aggressively rather than retreating vertically, which allowed blockers to maintain leverage and control against speedy rushers. This method, developed during his tenure with the , promoted quick problem-solving on the field, enabling linemen to prioritize quarterback protection through versatile techniques like the "ass block" for support roles. Under Mudd's guidance from 1998 to 2009, the Colts' offensive line ranked in the top 10 for fewest sacks allowed every season, achieving the league lead six times, demonstrating the technique's effectiveness in high-stakes environments. Mudd's emphasis on athleticism extended to run blocking, where he integrated zone schemes that required linemen to move laterally and combo block dynamically, fostering greater mobility and coordination among units. He contributed to the evolution of zone blocking in the mid-1980s while coaching the , refining footwork and assignment rules that influenced subsequent implementations. This proactive philosophy carried into his later roles, including a 2019 return to the Colts as a senior offensive assistant, where he helped refine techniques for young talents like Braden Smith and . By prioritizing hands-inside positioning and strategic holding to maximize strength without penalties, Mudd's methods reduced mental overload for players, allowing them to execute with instinctual efficiency. Through mentorship and clinics, Mudd's innovations rippled beyond his direct teams, shaping a generation of coaches and extending into modern schemes. He mentored during their overlapping time at the and with the Colts, leading Strausser to adopt the Mudd Technique as the Denver Broncos' offensive line coach, where it bolstered zone-based run games emphasizing athletic linemen. Participation in the COOL Clinic allowed Mudd to disseminate his library of techniques to aspiring and college coaches post-2010, influencing programs seeking to develop versatile, durable units. His early advocacy for the silent snap count, introduced to counter crowd noise in no-huddle offenses, further exemplified his forward-thinking adaptations that prefigured data-informed communication strategies in the . These contributions solidified Mudd's legacy as a pioneer who elevated offensive line play from positional drudgery to a cornerstone of strategic athleticism.

Personal Life and Death

Family and Later Years

Howard Mudd was first married to Maria in the late 1960s, a union that lasted 23 years until their divorce in 1990, after their children had grown. He later married Shirley Mudd in 1992, who provided updates on his health following his 2020 accident. Mudd had two children from his first marriage, including son , and stepson from Shirley's previous relationship; both sons were by his side at the time of his passing. The family experienced frequent relocations due to Mudd's extensive coaching career, which spanned multiple teams including the , , and ; during his 12-year tenure with the Colts from 1998 to 2009, the family was based in . Following his retirement from the after the 2012 season, Mudd initially stepped away from full-time coaching but remained active in the field through educational efforts. In 2019, he returned to the as a senior offensive assistant, leveraging his expertise to mentor the staff until his full retirement in September 2019. He contributed to offensive line development by creating instructional content, including the video series "Mudd's Methods," which details techniques and drills he refined over decades in the . Mudd also participated in coaching clinics, sharing insights with aspiring coaches through platforms like the Scouting Academy. In his later years, Mudd pursued personal interests outside football, notably as an avid . He was recognized for his safe riding practices, earning Rider of the Month honors from TEAM in 2015, where he drew on his background to promote . While specific philanthropic endeavors were not widely documented, Mudd's legacy in the sport extended to supporting offensive line education and development through his instructional work.

Death

Howard Mudd died on August 12, 2020, at the age of 78, from injuries sustained in a accident near his home in the area. The accident occurred on July 29, 2020, resulting in severe injuries including a fractured and spine; Mudd was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center in , where he underwent surgery and remained in intensive care for two weeks before succumbing to his injuries. Following his death, tributes poured in from the community, with the issuing a statement praising Mudd's profound impact on the team and offensive line coaching, and owner tweeting personal condolences highlighting his mentorship. The also released a memorial statement honoring his legendary tenure and contributions to their offensive line development. Media coverage emphasized Mudd's enduring legacy, with former players like and reflecting on his innovative techniques and influence on modern blocking schemes. Mudd's family announced no immediate funeral would be held, with plans for a future celebration of life.

References

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