Football Player. He was the son of Linda and Joseph Gotta. Always an accomplished academic, he did not excel in athletics until his college years. After a scout spotted his talent, in 1952 he received a sports scholarship to attend Oregon State University where he played Tight End. He completed his Master's Degree in Health Education before continuing his work towards a Doctorate. After his university education, he went into the US Air Force as a Lieutenant at Hamilton Air Base, California. He served as an air traffic controller during the Korean War before being honourably discharged. From 1954 to 1956 he played football for the Air Force. In 1956 he was drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Browns, but was cut. He then began his 9 year career with the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a wide receiver and defensive back. From 1957 to 1959 he played with the Calgary Stampeders. In 1960 he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. When there were injuries on defense, he sometimes played corner linebacker and safety. During the 1964 season he was cut by Saskatchewan and signed by the Montreal Alouettes. His coaching career began in 1965 when he rejoined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an assistant coach. The following year he went on to win his first Grey Cup. After the 1967 season he resigned and joined the Ottawa Rough Riders coaching staff and won his second Grey Cup as an assistant coach in 1969. In 1970 he replaced the retiring head coach in Ottawa. He was the CFL's coach of the year with Ottawa in 1972 and 1973 when he won his third Grey Cup. In 1974 he moved to the World Football League (WFL) and was head coach and general manager for the Birmingham Americans who won the only WFL World Bowl at Birmingham's Legion Field. The City of Birmingham honoured him with a "Key to the City" and declared December 26 "Coach Jack Gotta Day". He was offered a position as head coach of the NFL's Chicago Bears but turned it down. In 1975 the Americans folded, got new ownership and the team was renamed the Vulcans. He stayed on as General Manager only. In 1977 he returned to the CFL as head coach and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders and in 1978 he won Coach of the Year. He was the first CFL coach to be honoured with a record 3 Annis Stukus trophies as Coach of the Year. After 4 seasons with them, he retired as coach but remained on as general manager. After the 1981 CFL season, the head coach resigned and he returned to the sidelines. He remained in Calgary until 1983, when he was fired after missing the playoffs. In 1984 he joined the CFL on CTV as a commentator. In 1985 he left the network to become head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 2 seasons. He was happily married for 50 years. During his last years, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He spent his last 7 months at Bethany Care Centre where he passed away at age 83. He was survived by his wife, 4 children, 2 grandchildren and 2 brothers. On July 4, 2013 a graveside service took place and his obituary was published in the "Calgary Herald" on July 5, 2013. In living memory of Jack Gotta, a tree was planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.