Hubbry Logo
Jack PardeeJack PardeeMain
Open search
Jack Pardee
Community hub
Jack Pardee
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jack Pardee
Jack Pardee
Jack Pardee
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

John Perry Pardee (April 19, 1936 – April 1, 2013)[1] was an American professional football player and head coach. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). As a coach, he is the only head coach to helm a team in college football, the NFL, the United States Football League (USFL), the World Football League (WFL), and the Canadian Football League (CFL). Pardee was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1986.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]
Pardee in 1959

As a teenager, Pardee moved to Christoval, Texas, where he excelled as a member of the six-man football team.[2] He was an All-America fullback at Texas A&M University and a two-time All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams (1963) and the Washington Redskins (1971). He was one of the few six-man players to ever make it to the NFL, and his knowledge of that wide-open game served him well as a coach.

Pardee was one of the famed Junction Boys, the 1954 Texas A&M preseason camp held in Junction, Texas, by football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He was part of the 35 left from the roughly 100 players who went to Junction. After completing college at Texas A&M, Pardee was selected with the first pick of the second round (14th overall) in the 1957 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams as a linebacker. Pardee played for the Rams from 1957 to 1970, sitting out the 1965 season to treat a malignant melanoma in his left arm. Pardee was alerted to his own cancer after reading about Houston Astros pitcher Jim Umbricht, who died from an aggressive form of skin cancer.[3]

Pardee was traded from the Rams to the Redskins in a multiplayer deal during the first round of the 1971 NFL draft on January 28, 1971.[4][5] He ended his playing career after two seasons with the Redskins at the end of the 1972 NFL season.

Coaching career

[edit]

WFL

[edit]

When the World Football League started in 1974, Pardee got his first head-coaching job with the Washington Ambassadors. The team later relocated to Norfolk, Virginia, as the Virginia Ambassadors, before finally moving to their third and final home in Orlando as the Florida Blazers. The Blazers made it to the 1974 World Bowl and lost by one point to the Birmingham Americans. Pardee's regular-season coaching record in 1974 with the Blazers was 14–6, and 2–1 in the 1974 WFL Playoffs and World Bowl. This was all the more remarkable considering that the Blazers went unpaid for the last three months of the season. Some of the Blazers players relocated to San Antonio as the Wings for the 1975 season, and Pardee also moved on, signing on as head coach of the Chicago Bears for the 1975 season.

First stint as a head coach in the NFL

[edit]

In 1975, Pardee was hired by the Chicago Bears as head coach. He spent the next three years there, leading Chicago to their first playoff berth in 14 years in 1977, before moving on to the Washington Redskins. In 1979, he led the Redskins to within one game of making the playoffs, but in the season's final week, they squandered a 13-point lead to the eventual NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys and missed the playoffs. He was fired after going 6–10 in 1980. In 1981, he was hired as assistant head coach in charge of defense for the San Diego Chargers.[6]

USFL

[edit]

In 1984, Pardee returned to his native Texas by becoming the head coach of the Houston Gamblers. The Gamblers played spring football in the United States Football League. The Gamblers had one of the most potent offenses in professional football, the run and shoot offense, with Jim Kelly as quarterback. The Gamblers merged with the New Jersey Generals in 1986, and Pardee was named head coach. With Kelly and Doug Flutie both vying for the role of starting quarterback, and Herschel Walker in the backfield, the Generals were poised to dominate the USFL, but the league folded prior to the 1986 season.

NCAA

[edit]

Pardee returned to Houston in 1987 as head coach at the University of Houston. During his three-year stint, the Cougars, using the same offense he coached in the USFL, produced the first-ever African American quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, Andre Ware. His team also became the first major college team in NCAA history to have over 1,000 total offensive yards in a single game, racking up 1,021 yards while beating SMU, 95–21.[7]

Not long after Pardee's arrival, however, Houston was slapped with crippling NCAA sanctions due to numerous major violations under his predecessor, Bill Yeoman. Among them, the Cougars were banned from bowl games in 1989 and 1990 and kicked off live television in 1989. As a result, most of the nation never got a chance to see the Cougars set numerous offensive records during the 1989 season.

Second stint as a head coach in the NFL

[edit]

In 1990, Pardee packed up the run-and-shoot offense and moved across town, and back to the NFL, by joining the Houston Oilers. He spent five years coaching a team that made the playoffs each of his first four years there, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon. In 1991, the Oilers won their first division title since 1967 in the American Football League. During his time with the Oilers, Pardee fell victim to NFL notoriety during the 1992 season, when in that season's playoffs, the Oilers surrendered a 35-3 third-quarter lead to the Buffalo Bills, losing in overtime to the eventual conference champions 41–38.

The Oilers won another division title in 1993 on the strength of winning their last 11 games despite their season being wracked with turmoil on and off the field. However, after losing in the second round of the playoffs, owner Bud Adams made good on a threat to hold a fire sale if they did not make the Super Bowl. The highest-profile loss was Moon, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Without Moon, the Oilers were a rudderless team. Pardee was fired following a 1–9 start to the 1994 season, and was replaced by defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher.

CFL comes to America

[edit]

He continued his coaching career in the Canadian Football League. In 1995, he was named head coach of the CFL expansion team, the Birmingham Barracudas. Canadian football is more wide open than American football, with a field that has an additional 10 yards added to each endzone, as well as a 55 yardline and wider field. Birmingham owner Art Williams thought Pardee's roots in the six-man game made him a natural fit. The 'Cudas were part of a failed experiment to expand the CFL into the United States. With Matt Dunigan at quarterback, Birmingham made the playoffs, but lost in the first round. However, due to dreadful attendance late in the season and the league's refusal to approve the team's proposed relocation to Shreveport, Louisiana, for 1996, the 'Cudas were shuttered at the end of the season along with the CFL's other American teams.

Return to coaching

[edit]

In December 2007, Pardee, then 71, was contacted by athletic director Dave Maggard about the vacant head coaching job at the University of Houston. Signaling interest, he made it as far as a finalist for the position, but the school moved forward with Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Pardee was married for 50 years to Phyllis Lane Perryman and had five children and 12 grandchildren. Pardee's youngest son, Ted, is the color commentator for the Houston Cougars football radio broadcasts. Ted's son Payton Pardee[9] is the head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League.[10]

In November 2012, Pardee was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and his family reported that he only had six to nine more months to live,[11] The cancer spread to other organs and Pardee moved to a Denver hospice.[12]

Pardee died April 1, 2013. The family has established a memorial scholarship fund in Pardee's name at the University of Houston. He was survived by his wife Phyllis, five children, and 12 grandchildren. Jack's youngest grandson, Luke Pardee, was then a quarterback at Texas Christian University,[13][14]

Head coaching record

[edit]

USFL

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
HOU 1984 13 5 0 .722 1st in Central Div. 0 1 .000 Lost to Arizona Wranglers in USFL Quarterfinals
HOU 1985 10 8 0 .556 3rd in Western Conf. 0 1 .000 Lost to Birmingham Stallions in USFL Quarterfinals
Total 23 13 0 .639 0 2 .000

College

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Houston Cougars (Southwest Conference) (1987–1989)
1987 Houston 4–6–1 2–4–1 7th
1988 Houston 9–3 5–2 3rd L Aloha 18
1989 Houston 9–2 6–2 T–2nd Ineligible Ineligible 14
Houston: 22–11–1 13–8–1
Total: 22–11–1

NFL

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
CHI 1975 4 10 0 .286 3rd in NFC Central - - - -
CHI 1976 7 7 0 .500 2nd in NFC Central - - - -
CHI 1977 9 5 0 .643 2nd in NFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost to Dallas Cowboys in NFC Divisional Game
CHI Total 20 22 0 .476 0 1 .000
WAS 1978 8 8 0 .500 3rd in NFC East - - - -
WAS 1979 10 6 0 .625 3rd in NFC East - - - -
WAS 1980 6 10 0 .375 3rd in NFC East - - - -
WAS Total 24 24 0 .500 0 0 .000
HOU 1990 9 7 0 .563 2nd in AFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost to Cincinnati Bengals in AFC wild card game
HOU 1991 11 5 0 .688 1st in AFC Central 1 1 .500 Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Divisional Game
HOU 1992 10 6 0 .625 2nd in AFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost to Buffalo Bills in AFC Wild Card Game
HOU 1993 12 4 0 .750 1st in AFC Central 0 1 .000 Lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Divisional Game
HOU 1994 1 9 0 .100 4th in AFC Central - - - -
HOU Total 43 31 0 .581 1 4 .200
Total 87 77 0 .530 1 5 .167

CFL

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
BIR 1995 10 8 0 .556 3rd in South Division 0 1 .000 Lost in Semifinals
Total 10 8 0 .556 0 1 .000

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jack Pardee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
John Perry "Jack" Pardee (April 19, 1936 – April 1, 2013) was an American football player and coach, renowned as an All-Pro linebacker during a 16-season NFL career and as an innovative head coach who popularized the run-and-shoot offense. Born in Exira, Iowa, Pardee moved to Christoval, Texas, as a teenager, where he excelled in six-man high school football before starring as a two-way player at Texas A&M University from 1954 to 1956. Selected 14th overall in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, he played primarily as a linebacker, appearing in 196 games over his career with the Rams (1957–1970) and Washington Redskins (1971–1972). Pardee earned All-Pro honors in 1963 and 1971, a Pro Bowl selection in 1963, and recorded 22 interceptions and 24 sacks, contributing to the Redskins' 1972 NFC Championship team as a player before transitioning to coaching. Pardee's coaching career spanned multiple leagues and levels, beginning with the World Football League's Florida Blazers in 1974 (14–6 record). In the NFL, he served as of the from 1975 to 1977, guiding them to a 9–5 record and their first playoff appearance in 14 years in 1977 (overall 20–22). He then led the Washington Redskins from 1978 to 1980 (24–24 record), earning the 1979 AP Coach of the Year award after a 10–6 season. After a stint as defensive coordinator for the in 1981 and of the USFL's (1984–1985), Pardee coached the from 1987 to 1989, implementing the high-octane run-and-shoot offense that propelled his 1989 team to a national-leading 624.9 yards per game, a No. 14 ranking, and winner at quarterback. Returning to the NFL, Pardee coached the Houston Oilers from 1990 to 1994, compiling a 43–31 regular-season record and leading the team to AFC Central Division titles in 1991 and 1993, along with three playoff berths in his first three seasons. His overall head coaching record stood at 87–77, with one playoff victory. Later roles included head coach of the CFL's in 1995 (8–10). Pardee battled during his playing days and was diagnosed with cancer in November 2012, passing away in , Colorado, at age 76. His legacy endures as a pioneer of offensive innovation and a versatile figure in football history.

Early life and education

Childhood in Iowa

John Perry Pardee, known as Jack, was born on April 19, 1936, in Exira, , a small rural town in Audubon County. He was the youngest of seven children born to Earl and LaMeda Pardee, a farming family. Pardee's early years were shaped by the demands of farm life in this tight-knit community, where he began contributing to household chores at a young age. The rural environment of Exira, with its emphasis on and community, instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility, though specific details on early sports involvement during this period are limited. In the mid-1940s, when Pardee was around nine years old, his family relocated from to Christoval, , seeking treatment for his father's through the area's mineral baths. This move marked the end of his Iowa childhood and set the stage for his later athletic development in Texas high school football.

High school and recruitment to Texas A&M

Born in Exira, Iowa, on April 19, 1936, Jack Pardee moved with his family to Christoval, Texas, in the mid-1940s, where the rural environment and farm work helped instill a sense of toughness that would define his athletic career. At Christoval High School, Pardee excelled in , playing primarily as a fullback for a team that suited the small school's roster limitations. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 210 pounds, he led the Eagles to an undefeated season in 1952, scoring 57 touchdowns—many via long runs—and culminating in a six-man regional championship victory over Fort Davis. His dominant performance earned him all-state honors and later induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame, marking him as one of the state's top prospects despite the unconventional format of six-man play. Pardee's high school success drew the attention of Paul "Bear" Bryant, who had just been hired as at Texas A&M in early 1954 and was aggressively recruiting talent to rebuild the program. Bryant personally targeted Pardee, offering him a to join the Aggies as a , impressed by his size, speed, and honed on fields. Upon arriving in College Station, Pardee was thrust into Bryant's infamous preseason training camp at —a remote, sweltering site 120 miles west where the coach aimed to weed out the uncommitted through grueling two-a-day practices in 100-degree heat with limited water and no shade. The Junction Boys camp tested Pardee's resilience from the outset, as the transition from six-man to full 11-man football demanded adjustments in conditioning, technique, and mental fortitude under Bryant's demanding style, which emphasized and . Only 35 of the original 115 players survived the 10-day ordeal without quitting or being cut, with Pardee among the returnees on the single bus back to campus, having shed significant weight but emerging with a deepened commitment to the team. This formative experience under Bryant not only forged Pardee's playing foundation but also influenced his future coaching philosophy.

College and professional playing career

Texas A&M Aggies

Jack Pardee played at from 1954 to 1956, serving as a two-way starter at fullback and linebacker under head coach Paul ". As a in 1954, he appeared in limited action due to injuries, rushing for 92 yards on 34 carries. His role expanded in subsequent seasons, where he demonstrated versatility on both sides of the ball, contributing to the Aggies' improving performance after a 1-9 record in Bryant's debut year. Pardee was a key member of the surviving "Junction Boys," the group of 35 players who endured Bryant's grueling 10-day preseason training camp in , in 1954, which started with 100 participants and symbolized the program's emphasis on endurance and discipline. Over his career, he amassed 1,007 rushing yards on 220 carries with eight touchdowns, joining Texas A&M's "1,000 Yard Club" as one of the program's early standout rushers. In 1956, his senior year, Pardee rushed for 463 yards and four touchdowns, including an 85-yard run against , while anchoring the defense as a co-captain of the undefeated 9-0-1 team that won the championship and finished ranked No. 5 in the final . Bryant, who coached Texas A&M from 1954 to 1957, praised Pardee as "the best linebacker I ever had," highlighting his defensive prowess despite limited statistical tracking for tackles in that era. Pardee earned honors as a linebacker, along with Look Magazine's First Team recognition as a fullback, Southwest Conference MVP, and Academic status in 1956. His contributions helped elevate the Aggies from early struggles to conference champions, cementing his legacy in the program's history.

Los Angeles Rams

Jack Pardee was selected by the in the second round (14th overall) of the . Although he had excelled as a fullback in college, Pardee transitioned to linebacker upon entering the professional ranks, leveraging his versatility from his Texas A&M days. He quickly became a cornerstone of the Rams' defense, starting at right linebacker in his rookie season and shifting to left linebacker from 1958 onward. Over 13 seasons with the from 1957 to 1964 and 1966 to 1970, Pardee established himself as one of the league's premier linebackers, appearing in 170 games and recording 17 interceptions, 19 sacks, and 13 fumble recoveries during his tenure. His defensive prowess peaked in 1963, when he earned first-team honors from the after notching two interceptions, 3.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries that season. Pardee's contributions helped anchor a defense that ranked among the league's top units in the early , with his career-high six interceptions in 1967 underscoring his ball-hawking ability. Pardee's career faced a major interruption in 1964 when, on his 28th birthday April 19, he was diagnosed with after noticing a suspicious black mole on his upper right arm. He underwent an extensive nine-hour that year to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue, which forced him to miss the entire 1965 season for recovery and rehabilitation. Remarkably, Pardee returned to full strength in 1966, playing five more seasons with the and demonstrating resilience that defined his professional journey.

Washington Redskins

In 1971, shortly after George Allen became head coach of the Washington Redskins, Pardee was traded from the to reunite with his former mentor, where he continued his role as a linebacker. During his time with the Redskins, Pardee played in 27 regular-season games across the 1971 and seasons, recording 5 interceptions in 1971 alone, including one returned for a . That year, he earned honors as a first-team selection by the , Pro Football Writers, and , leveraging the defensive expertise he had honed over 13 seasons with the . Pardee retired as a player after the 1972 season at age 36, concluding a 16-year career that spanned 196 regular-season games. Following his retirement, he immediately expressed interest in transitioning to coaching, drawing on his extensive on-field experience to pursue opportunities in the profession.

Coaching career

Assistant coaching roles

After retiring from his playing career with the Washington Redskins at the end of the 1972 season, Jack Pardee transitioned immediately into as an assistant with the team under head coach George Allen in 1973. Drawing on his extensive experience as an linebacker during his two seasons as a player with , Pardee contributed to the defensive unit, helping to refine strategies that emphasized stout run defense and veteran leadership—hallmarks of Allen's philosophy. This role allowed Pardee to gain practical insights into professional while working closely with the linebackers group, building on the player-coach responsibilities he had assumed during his final playing years. Pardee's tenure as an assistant was brief but formative, lasting just one season before the emergence of the (WFL) in 1974 prompted his rapid ascent to a head coaching position. The WFL's expansion created opportunities for innovative coaches like Pardee, who left to lead the Blazers, marking the end of his assistant phase and the start of a diverse head coaching career across multiple leagues.

World Football League

In 1974, Jack Pardee took on the role of and for the Florida Blazers, the relocated franchise from the original Virginia Ambassadors, marking his first in professional football during the 's inaugural season. Drawing from his recent experience as a defensive assistant with the Washington Redskins, Pardee assembled a veteran roster emphasizing discipline and execution. The Blazers achieved a strong 14-6 regular-season record under Pardee, capturing first place in the WFL's Eastern Division and qualifying for the playoffs. In the postseason, they defeated the Philadelphia Bell 18-3 in the opening round at Orlando Stadium, followed by an 18-15 upset victory over the Western Division champion Memphis Southmen on the road at the Liberty Bowl. However, the Blazers fell short in the World Bowl championship game, losing 22-21 to the Birmingham Americans at Legion Field despite a late comeback attempt from a 22-0 deficit. Pardee's offensive strategies effectively adapted to the WFL's distinctive rules, including a wider field, longer allowable passes, and a "moving chains" system for first downs, enabling a balanced attack led by Bob Davis and Tommy Reamon that powered the team's playoff run. His tenure concluded after the 1974 season, as the Blazers relocated to and became the Wings for 1975 without him, and the league ultimately folded following that year amid widespread financial instability.

NFL head coaching: Bears and Redskins

Pardee's success as head coach of the Florida Blazers in the paved the way for his first NFL head coaching opportunity with the , where he was hired in January 1975. Over three seasons from 1975 to 1977, Pardee compiled a regular-season record of 20–22 with the Bears. In his debut year, the team finished 4–10, but Pardee steadily improved the squad, achieving a 7–7 mark in 1976. His tenure culminated in 1977 with a 9–5 record, securing the Bears' first playoff berth since their 1963 NFL championship season; however, they fell 37–7 to the in the divisional round. Following his departure from Chicago, Pardee was appointed head coach of the Washington Redskins on January 24, 1978, returning to the franchise where he had played and served as an assistant under George Allen. Across three seasons from 1978 to 1980, he posted a 24–24 regular-season record with Washington. The Redskins started evenly at 8–8 in 1978, but Pardee guided them to a 10–6 finish in 1979, marking a two-win improvement and earning him the NFL Coach of the Year award. During this period, Pardee implemented an aggressive defensive scheme influenced by Allen's multiple-front approach, which emphasized frequent safety blitzes and served as a precursor to the blitz-heavy later popularized by in Chicago. Pardee's Redskins tenure ended after a disappointing 6–10 record in 1980, leading to his firing on December 29 of that year. Shortly thereafter, he joined the as interim in 1981, assisting for one season before transitioning to other coaching ventures.

United States Football League

In 1984, Jack Pardee became the of the , an expansion team in the (USFL), leading them to a 13–5 regular-season record and a division title in their inaugural year. The Gamblers advanced to the but fell in the Western Conference semifinals to the , 17–16. Under Pardee's direction, the team employed the innovative run-and-shoot offense, coordinated by Mouse Davis, which emphasized quick passes and multiple receivers to exploit defensive alignments, marking one of its early prominent uses in professional football. The 1985 season saw the Gamblers finish with a 10–8 record, securing another playoff berth before losing in the quarterfinals to the Birmingham Stallions, 22–20. Pardee's squad featured high-profile quarterback Jim Kelly, who threw for over 5,000 yards and 44 touchdowns in 1984 alone, establishing the Gamblers as one of the league's most potent offensive units. The run-and-shoot system continued to drive the team's success, with Kelly's performance helping the Gamblers score a league-high 618 points that year. Pardee also integrated defensive strategies from his NFL tenure, such as aggressive blitz packages, to complement the offense. Over two seasons, Pardee compiled a 23–13 overall record with the Gamblers, guiding them to the postseason both years despite the league's competitive challenges. The USFL's collapse following the 1985 season—after failed antitrust litigation against the —led to the league's suspension of operations in 1986, prompting Pardee to pursue opportunities in .

University of Houston

Jack Pardee served as of the Cougars football team from 1987 to 1989, compiling an overall record of 22–11–1. In his first season, the Cougars struggled with a 4–6–1 mark, but Pardee quickly revitalized the program by implementing the run-and-shoot offense he had developed during his time with the USFL's . This innovative scheme, emphasizing quick passes and involvement, transformed Houston's attack and elevated the team's performance in subsequent years. Under Pardee's guidance, the 1988 Cougars improved dramatically to a 9–3 record, securing a berth in the , where they fell 24–22 to Washington State, marking the program's first bowl appearance since 1981. The pinnacle came in 1989, when Houston achieved a 9–2 overall record and an undefeated 8–0 mark in play, claiming the conference championship despite ongoing NCAA sanctions that prohibited television broadcasts and postseason participation. That season, Pardee coached Andre Ware to a historic performance, as Ware threw for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning him the as the nation's top player—the first for a Houston athlete and the sixth African American to win the award. Pardee's tenure at Houston significantly boosted the program's profile, fostering an explosive offense that averaged over 50 points per game in 1989 and drawing national attention to Ware's achievements amid the team's visibility challenges. Following the 1989 season, he resigned to return to the as head coach of the , leaving behind a legacy of offensive innovation at the collegiate level.

NFL head coaching: Houston Oilers

Pardee was hired as head coach of the on January 9, 1990, bringing his experience with the run-and-shoot offense from the , where he had developed quarterback . Under Pardee, the Oilers implemented a high-octane passing attack coordinated by , which propelled the team to consistent success in the early . Over his tenure from 1990 to 1994, Pardee compiled a regular-season record of 43–31 (.581 winning percentage), marking a revival for the franchise after several mediocre years. The Oilers achieved two AFC Central Division titles during Pardee's time, winning the division in 1991 with an 11–5 record and again in 1993 after a franchise-record 11-game winning streak that propelled them to 12–4. These successes led to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1991 to 1993, including a wild-card berth in 1992 following a 10–6 season. Central to this era was quarterback , whom Pardee coached to exceptional production in the run-and-shoot system; Moon earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 1990, throwing for 4,689 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the league in passing yards. The offense emphasized four wide receivers and quick reads, resulting in top-ranked passing attacks that averaged over 24 points per game in Pardee's first three seasons. However, the 1994 season brought turmoil, as owner traded to the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason, depriving the team of its offensive cornerstone and disrupting the run-and-shoot scheme. The Oilers struggled to a 1–9 start under Pardee, culminating in his firing on November 14, 1994, amid the franchise's worst performance in years and broader organizational changes. replaced him for the remainder of the season, but the team finished 2–14 overall.

Canadian Football League

In 1995, Jack Pardee took on his final head coaching role with the , an expansion franchise in the 's short-lived U.S. expansion effort. The team, playing its home games at in , posted a 10–8 regular-season record under Pardee's leadership, finishing third in the Southern Division and earning a playoff spot in their inaugural campaign. Drawing from his extensive experience across multiple leagues, Pardee adapted to the CFL's unique format, which featured a wider field, three downs per offensive possession rather than four, and a style that encouraged wide-open passing attacks. These elements shifted emphasis toward aerial strategies, aligning with Pardee's prior success implementing pass-oriented offenses like the run-and-shoot system during his and college tenures. The advanced to the playoffs but suffered a decisive 9–52 defeat to the in the Southern Division Semi-Final on November 5, 1995. The franchise folded shortly thereafter in February 1996, amid the broader collapse of the CFL's American expansion amid financial struggles and low attendance. At age 59, Pardee retired from coaching, concluding a career that spanned the , USFL, WFL, and .

Personal life

Family and marriage

Jack Pardee married Phyllis Lane Perryman on December 27, 1957, and their union endured for 56 years until his passing. The couple initially settled in following the marriage, where Pardee began his professional football career with the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams). Pardee and Phyllis raised five children together: Steven, Judee, , Susan, and Ted. Their youngest son, Ted Pardee, has pursued a career in sports broadcasting as the color analyst for radio broadcasts. The family expanded to include 12 grandchildren, with grandson Payton Pardee emerging as a coach in professional football; he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the in the United Football League (UFL) through 2024, became interim head coach for the 2025 season (1–6 record), and was named for 2026. Throughout Pardee's extensive coaching career, which involved frequent relocations, his family provided unwavering support, residing in key cities such as Houston, Texas—where he coached the Cougars and —and later Denver, Colorado. This familial backbone allowed Pardee to focus on his professional commitments while maintaining close ties with his loved ones.

Health challenges and death

During his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams, Pardee was diagnosed with malignant in 1965 after noticing a black mole on his left arm. On April 19, 1965, he underwent an 11-hour surgery at UCLA Medical Center to remove the cancerous tumor, followed by . He missed the 1965 season while undergoing treatment but returned in 1966 and continued his professional career for another seven years across multiple teams. In November 2012, Pardee was diagnosed with that had already spread to other organs, and his family announced that doctors estimated he had six to nine months to live. The terminal diagnosis prompted him to enter care near his family in , a suburb of . Pardee died on April 1, 2013, at the age of 76. A memorial service was held on April 8, 2013, at St. Michael Catholic Church in , attended by hundreds including former players, coaches, and teammates from his Texas A&M "Junction Boys" era. Tributes highlighted his resilience and impact; former quarterback , whom Pardee coached, described him as a father figure who "taught me how to be me through the way he lived his life." Texas A&M head coach praised Pardee's innovations, stating, "It’s hard to argue that he wasn’t as innovative a coach as there ever was." Texans coach and other NFL figures like Bruce Matthews and also attended, reflecting on Pardee's enduring legacy in professional and college football.

Legacy and honors

Coaching innovations and achievements

Jack Pardee stands as the only in professional and history to secure victories across five major leagues: the (), (NCAA), (), (), and (). This unparalleled breadth of success underscored his adaptability and strategic acumen, allowing him to lead diverse teams to competitive relevance in each format. From revitalizing the Chicago Bears in the to guiding the Houston Cougars in the (), Pardee's career spanned eras and rule sets, demonstrating his ability to instill discipline and innovation regardless of the league's structure. Pardee earned five Coach of the Year honors across four leagues, highlighting his consistent excellence: twice in the (1976 PFWA NFC Coach of the Year with the Bears and 1979 AP Coach of the Year with ), once in the WFL (1974 with the Florida Blazers), once in the USFL (1984 with the ), and once in the SWC (1989 with Houston). These accolades reflected his talent for maximizing talent in high-pressure environments, such as leading the Blazers to a 14–6 record and the WFL championship game or the Gamblers to a 13–5 mark with a league-high scoring output. Throughout his career, Pardee mentored several future Hall of Famers, including quarterbacks and , whose developments under his guidance were pivotal to their successes. With the Gamblers, Pardee coached Kelly to USFL passing records in 1984, laying the foundation for Kelly's induction after a storied NFL career with the . Similarly, at , Pardee nurtured Moon's leadership in the run-and-shoot offense during his Oilers tenure (1990–1994), where Moon earned Hall of Fame enshrinement for his record-setting performances; Pardee's emphasis on quarterback mobility and decision-making directly contributed to these players' elite trajectories.

Hall of Fame induction and records

Jack Pardee was inducted into the in 1986 for his accomplishments as a player at , where he earned recognition as an Academic All-America, all-league linebacker, and Look Magazine All-America fullback. He was also inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. Throughout his extensive coaching career across multiple leagues, Pardee compiled an overall head coaching record of 154 wins, 117 losses, and 1 tie. As a player, Pardee appeared in 196 games over a 16-season career with the and Washington Redskins, earning honors twice—in 1963 and 1971. Pardee stands out as the only individual to serve as a in , the , the , the , and the , highlighting his versatility in the sport.

Head coaching record

Professional leagues

Jack Pardee's professional head coaching career spanned multiple leagues, including the (WFL), (), (), and (CFL), where he led teams to a combined regular-season record of 134–104. His teams achieved two division titles in the and made several playoff appearances across leagues, though postseason success was limited to a 2–9 overall mark.

Florida Blazers (WFL, 1974)

Pardee's first professional head coaching role was with the WFL's Florida Blazers in 1974, where the team posted a strong regular-season performance before reaching the league championship. The Blazers finished first in the Eastern Division and advanced to the playoffs, defeating the 18–15 in the semifinal before losing the 22–21 to the . No division title was formally awarded in the WFL's structure, but the Blazers led their division with the league's second-best record.
YearLeagueRegular SeasonFinishPostseasonDivision Title
1974WFL14–61st (Eastern)1–1 (Won semifinal, lost World Bowl)—
Regular season: 14–6; Postseason: 1–1.

Chicago Bears (NFL, 1975–1977)

Hired as the Bears' head coach in 1975, Pardee guided the team to incremental improvement, culminating in a playoff berth in 1977—the franchise's first since 1963—though they lost in the divisional round to the Minnesota Vikings 14–7. The Bears did not win a division title during his tenure.
YearRegular SeasonFinishPostseason
19754–10–04th (NFC Central)—
19767–7–03rd (NFC Central)—
19779–5–02nd (NFC Central)0–1 (Lost divisional round)
Regular season: 20–22–0; Postseason: 0–1.

Washington Redskins (NFL, 1978–1980)

Pardee took over the Redskins in 1978 and led them to a winning record in 1979, but the team missed the playoffs amid a competitive . No postseason appearances or division titles occurred under his leadership, and he was fired after a 6–10 finish in 1980.
YearRegular SeasonFinishPostseason
19788–8–03rd (NFC East)—
197910–6–02nd (NFC East)—
19806–10–04th (NFC East)—
Regular season: 24–24–0; Postseason: 0–0.

Houston Gamblers (USFL, 1984–1985)

In the USFL, Pardee coached the expansion to the league's best record in their inaugural 1984 season, winning the Central Division and reaching the before a loss in the first round both years. The team employed an innovative run-and-shoot offense, setting a USFL single-season scoring record with 618 points in 1984.
YearRegular SeasonFinishPostseason
198413–5–01st (Central)0–1 (Lost quarterfinal)
198510–8–03rd (Western)0–1 (Lost first round)
Regular season: 23–13–0; Postseason: 0–2; Division titles: 1 (1984).

Houston Oilers (NFL, 1990–1994)

Returning to the NFL with the in 1990, Pardee implemented the run-and-shoot offense, leading the team to back-to-back AFC Central titles in 1991 and 1993, including a franchise-record 12 wins in 1993. The Oilers made the each year except 1994, but struggled in the postseason with four straight one-and-done appearances; Pardee was fired midseason in 1994 after a 1–9 start.
YearRegular SeasonFinishPostseason
19909–7–02nd (AFC Central)0–1 (Lost wild card)
199111–5–01st (AFC Central)1–1 (Won wild card, lost divisional round)
199210–6–02nd (AFC Central)0–1 (Lost wild card)
199312–4–01st (AFC Central)0–1 (Lost wild card)
19941–9–04th (AFC Central)—
Regular season: 43–31–0; Postseason: 1–4; Division titles: 2 (1991, 1993).

Birmingham Barracudas (CFL, 1995)

Pardee's final professional stint was with the CFL's expansion in 1995, where the team qualified for the as a wild card but fell in the South Division semifinal to the 36–18. No division title was won in their lone season.
YearRegular SeasonFinishPostseason
199510–8–03rd (South)0–1 (Lost division semifinal)
Regular season: 10–8–0; Postseason: 0–1.

College

Jack Pardee served as of the Houston Cougars football team from 1987 to in the (SWC), compiling an overall record of 22–11–1 and a conference record of 13–8–1. His tenure featured strong offensive performances, culminating in a tied for second-place SWC finish in despite NCAA sanctions that barred the team from postseason play that year. The following table summarizes Pardee's head coaching record at Houston:
YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl Outcome
1987Houston4–6–12–4–1T–7th SWC—
1988Houston9–35–22nd SWCL 22–24 Aloha Bowl (vs. Washington State)
1989Houston9–26–2T–2nd SWCIneligible (NCAA sanctions)
During this era, there were no NCAA Division I-A playoffs; postseason opportunities were limited to bowl games based on team performance and conference standings. The 1988 Aloha Bowl marked Houston's only bowl appearance under Pardee, a narrow defeat to Washington State that highlighted the team's competitive edge despite the loss. In 1989, despite an impressive regular-season mark and Heisman Trophy win by quarterback Andre Ware, the Cougars were prohibited from bowl consideration due to violations from prior years.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PardJa00.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9147948/jack-pardee-remembered-football-innovator
  3. https://www.nfl.com/news/jack-pardee-former-rams-and-redskins-lb-dies-at-age-76-0ap1000000156431
  4. https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/former-oilers-head-coach-jack-pardee-dies-at-76-9814602
  5. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/PardJa0.htm
  6. https://www.footballdb.com/coaches/jack-pardee-pardeja01
  7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/jack-pardee-former-head-coach-and-linebacker-for-the-redskins-dies/2013/04/02/03c87ce2-9bdc-11e2-a941-a19bce7af755_story.html
  8. https://www.aggienetwork.com/silver-taps/134351/john-pardee/
  9. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/jack-pardee-1936-2013-a-remembrance/
  10. https://archive.gosanangelo.com/news/jack-pardee-undefeated-ep-438723524-355666611.html
  11. https://www.texasfootball.com/hof-jack-pardee
  12. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/jack-pardee-1986/
  13. http://www.espn.com/classic/s/dent_junction_08/02/01.html
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/sports/football/jack-pardee-texas-am-star-and-nfl-coach-dies-at-76.html
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jack-pardee-1.html
  16. https://texoso66.com/2025/01/16/jack-pardee/
  17. https://12thman.com/honors/texas-am-athletic-hall-of-fame/jack-pardee/188
  18. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/jack-pardee/1771
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963/allpro.htm
  20. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-jack-pardee-20130402-story.html
  21. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Football-legend-Jack-Pardee-dies-at-76-4401509.php
  22. https://www.commanders.com/news/pardee-followed-george-allen-to-washington-11190625
  23. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/allpro.htm
  24. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/01/10/pardee-signs-5-year-deal-as-oilers-head-coach/6160baf6-1e14-4c12-b4ec-276dae5d59ce/
  25. https://archive.nytimes.com/fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/remembering-jack-pardee-one-of-the-junction-boys/
  26. https://www.commanders.com/news/pardee-redskins-fans-a-breath-of-fresh-air-9818026
  27. https://profootballresearchers.com/articles/1974_WFL_Florida_Blazers.pdf
  28. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1974wflfla.html
  29. https://www.statscrew.com/football/roster/t-WFLFLO/y-1974
  30. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1984usflhou.html
  31. https://www.chron.com/local/history/sports/article/Gamblers-heads-high-after-big-first-season-10956789.php
  32. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1985usflhou.html
  33. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/01/09/Pardees-coaching-record/7361631861200/
  34. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-19-sp-9592-story.html
  35. https://apnews.com/pardee-remembered-as-football-innovator-0f67b64f93e74923abb796eb5724a636
  36. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-10-sp-213-story.html
  37. https://www.espn.co.uk/college-football/story/_/page/theseason0807ware/houston-andre-ware-changed-game-25-years-ago
  38. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/houston/1988-schedule.html
  39. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/houston/1989-schedule.html
  40. https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/andre-ware/
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1456613/2019/12/13/andre-ware-30th-anniversary-heisman-houston-tv-ban/
  42. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1991.htm
  43. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1993.htm
  44. https://pro-football-history.com/coach/305/jack-pardee-bio
  45. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1990.htm
  46. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1992.htm
  47. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/11/15/Oilers-fire-head-coach-Pardee/3832784875600/
  48. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1994.htm
  49. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1995cflbir.html
  50. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/18/sports/sports-people-pro-football-pardee-is-near-a-new-post.html
  51. https://funwhileitlasted.net/2017/11/23/1995-birmingham-barracudas/
  52. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2979888/bio/
  53. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theeagle/name/phyllis-pardee-obituary?id=34370474
  54. https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/payton-pardee-ufl-san-antonio-brahmas-20281793.php
  55. https://www.theufl.com/san-antonio-payton-pardee
  56. https://pfnewsroom.com/news/brahmas-ihc-payton-pardee-earns-buccaneers-camp-gig/
  57. https://uhcougars.com/news/2013/4/1/Former_Houston_Football_Coach_Jack_Pardee_Passes_Away
  58. https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Family-NFL-great-Jack-Pardee-ill-with-cancer-4071441.php
  59. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8684301/nfl-great-jack-pardee-stricken-gall-bladder-cancer
  60. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/Pardee-recalled-as-innovator-man-of-faith-at-4419222.php
  61. https://www.infoplease.com/biographies/sports/jack-pardee
  62. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-coach-of-the-year.htm
  63. https://www.si.com/college/2013/04/02/jack-pardee-appreciation
  64. https://www.tshof.org/store/p259/Jack_Pardee.html
  65. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jack-pardee-1.html
  66. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/c-pardejac001
  67. https://www.usflsite.com/usflgame.php?game_id=300
  68. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/t-CFLBHM/y-1995
  69. http://thompsonian.info/swc-historical-standings.pdf
  70. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/swc/1987.html
  71. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/swc/1988.html
  72. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/swc/1989.html
  73. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/1988-12-25-houston.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.