Former Broncos Dline Coach Stan Jones Passes [Archive]

Denver Native (Carol)

05-22-2010, 08:40 PM

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=10142

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Stan Jones, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Defensive Line Coach of the Denver Broncos for 18 years, passed away on May 21, 2010. He was 78 years old. Stan was born in Altoona, Penn., on November 24, 1931. Stan grew up in the Harrisburg area and began his football career in 1945 as a 140-pound freshman at Lemoyne, Penn., High School. That's when he began lifting weights, and he steadily increased his weight about 20 pounds a year until he entered the University of Maryland as a strong, agile line prospect.

It was also in high school that Stan enjoyed some success in Track and Field. He threw the hammer, shot, discus and javelin, and he ran relays.

Stan graduated from Lemoyne High in 1949 and accepted a scholarship from the University of Maryland where he was a two-way standout for 3 years and was a consensus All-American tackle in his senior season. Jones was one of the leaders on the Terrapins’ 1952 Sugar Bowl Team, and on the 1953 National Championship Team, and along the way he received the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy as the nation's outstanding lineman. Stan often bragged that those teams produced 20 NFL veterans, including his best friend and roommate Bob Morgan, and brothers Ed and Dick Modzelewski. A quarter of a century later in 1977, his brilliance was recognized when he was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference's 25-year All-Star team.

Jones was so impressive as a two-way tackle at Maryland that the Bears decided to use a 1953 fifth-round draft pick to obtain his services even though they knew he would not be available for a full year. Stan joined the Bears in 1954 and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup as an offensive tackle.

Jones converted to guard in 1955 and for the next eight seasons, he was a fixture at that position and one of the NFL's most highly respected guards. For most of those years, he was the Bears' offensive captain. Jones possessed size, quickness and strength. He was one of the first pro football players to concentrate on a weight-lifting program to build him into playing condition. A good pass blocker and respected as a pulling guard, Jones was disciplined and dependable.

He missed only two games his first 11 seasons. He was an All-NFL guard in 1955, 1956, 1959, and 1960 and played in seven straight Pro Bowls following the 1955 through 1961 seasons. In 1962 then Bears Defensive Coordinator, George Allen, utilized Stan on the defensive unit where Jones became one of the last “60-minute men” in the NFL.

Jones switched to defensive tackle permanently in 1963 where he teamed with his close friends Doug Atkins and Bob Kilcullen to form one of the all-time great defensive units, and an NFL Championship. Stan was extremely proud of the Bears’ defense that held opponents to just 7 rushing touchdowns and a 10-point-per-game average.

After his 12th season in 1965, Bears coach George Halas agreed, as a favor to Jones, to trade him to the Washington Redskins so that he could play a final season near his home in Rockville, Maryland. Jones retired after the 1966 season.

During Stan’s playing days with the Bears he spent the off season teaching high school gym classes and served as the track coach at Walt Whitman High School. Track and Field was one of Jones’ true passions as he was a champion Discus and Javelin competitor, and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall Of Fame in 1972 for his achievements in both Football and Track and Field.

After the ’66 season with the Redskins Jones joined his old college buddy Bill “Whitey” Dovell on Lou Saban’s Staff with the Denver Broncos. Stan was an avid weightlifter and was considered the first player to use weight training to gain an advantage in his sport. He was also one of the true pioneers of Sports Conditioning and served as the Broncos Strength Coach in addition to his duties as the Defensive Line Coach.

After 5 years with the Broncos Stan followed head coach Lou Saban to the Buffalo Bills in 1972. While in Buffalo Stan continued his duties as the Defensive Line Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach. Working with the team’s orthopedic doctors, Jones developed conditioning programs that would serve to eliminate or reduce serious injuries.

Stan returned to the Broncos in 1976 and reunited with Joe Collier to help build the dominating “Orange Crush” Defenses of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Jones remained with the Broncos through the 1988 season; he was a fixture on the Denver sideline for 18 years, including his tenure with Saban.

Stan could have been described as a “Gym Rat” as he would spend countless hours in the gym with his players developing new, and often unique training regimens. He was a strong proponent of using dumbbells, and medicine balls in order to develop strength and agility with natural “football” movements. Stan even had a martial arts expert who taught the ballplayers to use their opponents strength against them – as well as teaching them to fall protecting their shoulders by tucking, rolling and coming back to their feet - not losing a step in their pursuit of the ball. He even had boxes built and had the Broncos jumping off and on boxes to build dynamic (explosive) strength. He was instrumental in establishing the Denver Broncos and the legendary Orange Crush Defense into one of the finest conditioned teams in the NFL.

In 1989 Jones returned to the weight room as the strength and conditioning coach with the Cleveland Browns. And in 1991 Jones joined the New England Patriots to coach with old friends Dick “Mac” MacPherson, Joe Collier, Myrel Moore, and Charlie West.

He retired after the 1992 season and returned to his home in Fraser Colorado. His retirement was short lived as his wife; Darlis accepted a job on his behalf with the Scottish Claymores of the NFL Europe League. Stan coached with his good friend Myrel Moore while their wives traveled through Europe.

Stan had a keen eye for talent and was instrumental in the development of several players over the years. He was instrumental in lobbying for such players as Lyle Alzado and Marlon Briscoe whom other teams had overlooked. And Stan was successful in developing and coaching many great players over the years, such players as All-Pros Paul Smith, Dave Costa, Barney Chavous, and Ruben Carter. But perhaps his favorite protégé was Rich “Tombstone” Jackson who Stan would tell you was one of the greatest Defensive Ends to have ever played the game. He and Rich remained close throughout the years, as he did with many of his ballplayers. Stan also spent many hours lobbying the Hall Of Fame on behalf of Randy Gradishar who he believed, without question, belonged in the Hall. When asked how he felt when Floyd Little joined him in the Hall Jones responded simply that “it’s about time”. Stan had hoped to attend Floyd’s induction in August.

Throughout his career Stan has been honored with several prestigious awards. In 1991 Stan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Earl Campbell, John Hannah, Tex Schramm and Jan Stenerud. Also In 1991, the Professional Strength Coaches honored Stan, his longtime friend, Clyde Emrich and Louis Riecke with an annual award in their names… the Emrich-Rieke-Jones Award is given annually to the outstanding Collegiate and Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach. And in 2000 Stan was elected to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame, thus making him one of a select group of athletes to be members of both the Professional and Collegiate Football Halls of Fame.

Stan was also well known for his wit and humor, and was often found holding court wherever he may have been, regaling his teammates, players, friends, and strangers with stories of the NFL and other humorous anecdotes.

There were a few times his wits landed him in the hot seat. Back in the 60’s when George “Papa Bear” Halas came out of retirement to coach the Bears the press asked then Bears captain, Jones what he thought of the “old man” coming out of retirement to coach. Jones responded “ that’s like Orville Wright coming back to run United Airlines”. However, Jones and Halas had a very special bond that remained until Papa Bear passed away in 1983, and continued with the Halas/McCaskey families.

Another example of his humor came when the Broncos were preparing to play the Atlanta Falcons. Then head coach Dan Reeves expressed his concerns to Jones about the coming game. Stan assured Reeves that there was nothing to worry about, and that his (Jones’) family had always done quite well in Atlanta. When Reeves asked for further clarification Jones responded that he had had 2 Great -Great Grandfathers that had marched with General Sherman (during the Civil War) and had participated in the burning of Atlanta. Reeves may not have appreciated the humor in that and as it turned out, coincidentally; Jones, Joe Collier, and the rest of the defensive staff were dismissed at the end of that season.

After his retirement Stan moved to his permanent residence in Fraser, Colorado. He stayed active in the community volunteering at the Fraser Visitor Center and acting with the Grand County Players, an historical reenactment troupe. He moved to Broomfield, Colorado in 2003.

Stan is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Darlis and is survived by his daughter Sherrill, sons Kevin, Klea and Tony, and five grandchildren, Tory, Taylor, Tanner, Alfredo and Anthony, as well as several cousins. Stan will also be missed by countless lifelong friends and teammates.

A celebration of Stan’s life will be held with friends and family on Friday, June 4 at the National Western Stock Show Complex in Denver from 5pm to 9pm. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, http://www.gridirongreats.org.