Professional Football Player, Coach. He was the son of a disabled coal miner. After graduating from high school in Bellaire, Ohio, he played football at the University of Cincinnati before joining the Navy in 1943. After the war, he played guard and linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1946 thru 1948. In the off-seasons, he obtained a master's degree in physical education and education administration at Michigan State University and began work on a doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh. After his pro playing days ended, he went into coaching, first at the high school level, then as an assistant with the Steelers from 1954 to 1957. After one year with the Green Bay Packers, he moved to the Philadelphia Eagles, who promoted him to head coach after following the Eagles' 1960 championship season. He was head coach of the Eagles from 1961 thru 1963. He then joined the staff of the Cleveland Browns and became head coach in 1971. He took the Browns to the playoffs in 1971 and '72, losing in the first round each time. He coached the Browns through 1974, when he was fired. In seven years as an NFL head coach, Skorich compiled a regular-season record of 45-48-5. In 1975, he became assistant supervisor of NFL officials and spent 26 years with the league office, full-time and part-time, until retiring at age 80.
Professional Football Player, Coach. He was the son of a disabled coal miner. After graduating from high school in Bellaire, Ohio, he played football at the University of Cincinnati before joining the Navy in 1943. After the war, he played guard and linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1946 thru 1948. In the off-seasons, he obtained a master's degree in physical education and education administration at Michigan State University and began work on a doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh. After his pro playing days ended, he went into coaching, first at the high school level, then as an assistant with the Steelers from 1954 to 1957. After one year with the Green Bay Packers, he moved to the Philadelphia Eagles, who promoted him to head coach after following the Eagles' 1960 championship season. He was head coach of the Eagles from 1961 thru 1963. He then joined the staff of the Cleveland Browns and became head coach in 1971. He took the Browns to the playoffs in 1971 and '72, losing in the first round each time. He coached the Browns through 1974, when he was fired. In seven years as an NFL head coach, Skorich compiled a regular-season record of 45-48-5. In 1975, he became assistant supervisor of NFL officials and spent 26 years with the league office, full-time and part-time, until retiring at age 80.
Bio by: Mel Bashore
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