Ed Hughes
Encyclopedia
Edward D. Hughes was an American football
player
and coach
whose career spanned more than three decades. His most prominent coaching position came in 1971 when he served as head coach
of the National Football League
's Houston Oilers
.
, played college football
on both sides of the ball at the University of Tulsa
, then was drafted
in the tenth round of the 1954 NFL Draft
by the Los Angeles Rams
. Playing primarily at defensive back
, Hughes collected two interceptions during his rookie
year, then helped the team reach the NFL Championship game in 1955.
On August 12, 1956, Hughes was traded along with running back
Tommy McCormick to the New York Giants
for a fourth round draft pick. Hughes would play three seasons with his new team, helping them play twice in the NFL title game, including a convincing win over the Chicago Bears
during his first season.
's staff with the fledgling Dallas Texans
of the new American Football League
. His three years in the Lone Star state as defensive backs coach
were capped with the team's first championship
, coming in a double overtime
thriller over the Houston Oilers.
After the 1962 season
, Hughes was hired as an assistant with another AFL team, the Denver Broncos
, but spent only one season there before accepting a position with the Washington Redskins
. For four seasons, Hughes worked under two different coaches, then left to become offensive coordinator
for the San Francisco 49ers
. The move reunited Hughes with Dick Nolan
, who not only was his former teammate with the Giants, but also his brother-in-law.
After the 49ers struggled during the 1968
and 1969
seasons, the team put it all together during Nolan and Hughes' third year, winning the NFC West Division while also leading the league in total offense
. The renewed success of the team was beneficial for Hughes, who accepted a five-year contract as head coach of the Oilers on January 21, 1971.
The lengthy contract would prove to be a mirage as Hughes lasted just one season in the position. An indication of the season came in the opener when Houston was shut out 31-0 by the Cleveland Browns
, and continued when Hughes fired two assistant coaches during the campaign. The disarray concluded on December 22 when Hughes resigned after a strange power struggle in which Hughes asked that the team trainer be fired, while team owner Bud Adams
insisted that the equipment manager (who Hughes had fired) be reinstated.
Almost two years later, one more example of the havoc surrounding the team surfaced when Oilers center
Jerry Sturm
indicated that he had been offered a bribe to affect the outcome of a game. Following Hughes' departure, the Oilers became the first (and to date, only) team to post consecutive one-win seasons since the AFL-NFL merger
, going 1-13 in 1972 and 1973.
Hughes briefly worked in a trailer factory until a contract settlement was reached, then accepted the quarterbacks coach
position with the St. Louis Cardinals
on August 30, 1972. When Cardinals' head coach Bob Hollway
was fired after that season, Hughes found new employment on March 8, 1973 as offensive backfield coach of the Dallas Cowboys
. Hughes' new boss, Tom Landry
, had earlier played a role in his future when his 1956 retirement resulted in the Giants' trade for Hughes.
During his four seasons with the Cowboys, the team played in two NFC Championship games and competed in Super Bowl X
against the Pittsburgh Steelers
. In 1977, Hughes left to join Tommy Hudspeth
's staff with the Detroit Lions
, but after Hudspeth was fired at the end of the season, Hughes re-joined Dick Nolan, who had been named head coach of the New Orleans Saints
.
The reunion of Nolan and Hughes would last only three years, when an improved 1979 Saints team
turned into the infamous "Aints" of 1980
. That squad was symbolized by their loss to the 49ers on December 7 in which they blew a 28-point lead.
Hughes would spend the 1981 NFL season
with the Philadelphia Eagles
, then move on to become offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears
under new head coach Mike Ditka
. While the Bears would become known for their defensive prowess during this era, the offense still had the unparalleled exploits of running back Walter Payton
. The combination was enough to lead the Bears to a title in 1985, capped with a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX
.
The Bears would go on to the postseason in each of the next three seasons, but Hughes resigned during the 1989 training camp after being demoted, then become quarterback coach of the Eagles midway through the season. In 1990, Hughes was hired as defensive coordinator
of Division III Lake Forest College
. Hughes now lives on in his five children, and ten grandchildren.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
and coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
whose career spanned more than three decades. His most prominent coaching position came in 1971 when he served as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
Playing career
Hughes, a native of Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
on both sides of the ball at the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
, then was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the tenth round of the 1954 NFL Draft
1954 NFL Draft
The 1954 National Football League Draft was held on January 28, 1954.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:-Round eleven:...
by the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. Playing primarily at defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, Hughes collected two interceptions during his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
year, then helped the team reach the NFL Championship game in 1955.
On August 12, 1956, Hughes was traded along with running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Tommy McCormick to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
for a fourth round draft pick. Hughes would play three seasons with his new team, helping them play twice in the NFL title game, including a convincing win over the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during his first season.
Coaching career
In 1959, Hughes entered the coaching ranks, returning to his alma mater in Tulsa for one season. The following year, he joined Hank StramHank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
's staff with the fledgling Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
of the new American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
. His three years in the Lone Star state as defensive backs coach
Defensive backs coach
A defensive backs coach or secondary coach is a coach in charge of the safeties and cornerbacks in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL and college football programs. Some common titles are: safeties coach, cornerbacks coach, secondary coach, secondary/safeties coach,...
were capped with the team's first championship
1962 American Football League Championship Game
The 1962 American Football League Championship Game was played at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston, Texas on December 23, 1962.-Background:The day saw the Eastern Division's 11-3 Houston Oilers in the title game for their third straight year, against the West's Dallas Texans, also at 11-3...
, coming in a double overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
thriller over the Houston Oilers.
After the 1962 season
1962 American Football League season
The 1962 American Football League season was the third regular season of the American Football League. The Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City, Missouri following the season and changed their name to the Kansas City Chiefs....
, Hughes was hired as an assistant with another AFL team, the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but spent only one season there before accepting a position with the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. For four seasons, Hughes worked under two different coaches, then left to become offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. The move reunited Hughes with Dick Nolan
Dick Nolan (football)
Richard Charles Nolan was an American football player and head coach in the National Football League.He was the father of college and NFL coach Mike Nolan.-Playing career:...
, who not only was his former teammate with the Giants, but also his brother-in-law.
After the 49ers struggled during the 1968
1968 San Francisco 49ers season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings: -External links:* *...
and 1969
1969 San Francisco 49ers season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-External links:* *...
seasons, the team put it all together during Nolan and Hughes' third year, winning the NFC West Division while also leading the league in total offense
Total offense
Total offense is an American football and Canadian football statistic representing the total number of yards rushing and yards passing by a team or player...
. The renewed success of the team was beneficial for Hughes, who accepted a five-year contract as head coach of the Oilers on January 21, 1971.
The lengthy contract would prove to be a mirage as Hughes lasted just one season in the position. An indication of the season came in the opener when Houston was shut out 31-0 by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and continued when Hughes fired two assistant coaches during the campaign. The disarray concluded on December 22 when Hughes resigned after a strange power struggle in which Hughes asked that the team trainer be fired, while team owner Bud Adams
Bud Adams
Kenneth Stanley "Bud" Adams, Jr. is the owner of the Tennessee Titans' National Football League franchise. He was instrumental in the founding and establishment of the former American Football League. Adams became a charter AFL owner with the establishment of the Titans franchise, which was...
insisted that the equipment manager (who Hughes had fired) be reinstated.
Almost two years later, one more example of the havoc surrounding the team surfaced when Oilers center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Jerry Sturm
Jerry Sturm
Jerry Gordon Sturm is a former American college and professional football player. A center, he played college football at the University of Illinois, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Denver Broncos from 1961 through 1966, and later for several National Football...
indicated that he had been offered a bribe to affect the outcome of a game. Following Hughes' departure, the Oilers became the first (and to date, only) team to post consecutive one-win seasons since the AFL-NFL merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
, going 1-13 in 1972 and 1973.
Hughes briefly worked in a trailer factory until a contract settlement was reached, then accepted the quarterbacks coach
Quarterbacks coach
A quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff....
position with the St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on August 30, 1972. When Cardinals' head coach Bob Hollway
Bob Hollway
Robert "Bob" Hollway was an football coach who served at both the collegiate and professional levels, and was head coach of the National Football League's St. Louis Cardinals for two seasons beginning in 1971....
was fired after that season, Hughes found new employment on March 8, 1973 as offensive backfield coach of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Hughes' new boss, Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
, had earlier played a role in his future when his 1956 retirement resulted in the Giants' trade for Hughes.
During his four seasons with the Cowboys, the team played in two NFC Championship games and competed in Super Bowl X
Super Bowl X
Super Bowl X was an American football game played on January 18, 1976 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1975 regular season....
against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. In 1977, Hughes left to join Tommy Hudspeth
Tommy Hudspeth
Tommy Hudspeth was a football coach at both the collegiate and professional levels. He served as head coach at Brigham Young University, the University of Texas-El Paso, the National Football League's Detroit Lions and the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts.-Career:Hudspeth graduated...
's staff with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, but after Hudspeth was fired at the end of the season, Hughes re-joined Dick Nolan, who had been named head coach of the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
.
The reunion of Nolan and Hughes would last only three years, when an improved 1979 Saints team
1979 NFL season
The 1979 NFL season was the 60th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XIV when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams...
turned into the infamous "Aints" of 1980
1980 NFL season
The 1980 NFL season was the 61st regular season of the National Football League.After the league declined to approve the proposed move by the Raiders from Oakland, California to Los Angeles, the team along with the Los Angeles Coliseum sued the NFL for violating antitrust laws...
. That squad was symbolized by their loss to the 49ers on December 7 in which they blew a 28-point lead.
Hughes would spend the 1981 NFL season
1981 NFL season
The 1981 NFL season was the 62nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVI when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.-Major rule changes:...
with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, then move on to become offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
under new head coach Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
. While the Bears would become known for their defensive prowess during this era, the offense still had the unparalleled exploits of running back Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
. The combination was enough to lead the Bears to a title in 1985, capped with a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
.
The Bears would go on to the postseason in each of the next three seasons, but Hughes resigned during the 1989 training camp after being demoted, then become quarterback coach of the Eagles midway through the season. In 1990, Hughes was hired as defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of Division III Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
. Hughes now lives on in his five children, and ten grandchildren.