Tag Archives: jack elway

Elway Sr., John “Jack” (1931-2001)

pset91 jackelwaypsetwlaf91 jackelway

Card: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: 2014, EBay

Jack had been just about everywhere and had been a coach at every position and level, before the Frankfurt Galaxy called on him to coach the team for the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

He had been coaching since 1953 when he took his first job at Port Angeles High School in Washington. Jack then moved to the college ranks in 1960 with Grays Harbor CC, and Montana in 1967. He’d return to Washington in 1972 and be an assistant with the Washington State Huskies through 1975, before taking over as head coach at Cal State Northridge in 1976. In 1979 Elway became head coach at San Jose State and guided the ’79 and ’81 teams respectively to Pacific Coast Athletic Association titles and top 20 recognition. His efforts culminated in a stint as Stanford’s head coach from 1984-1988.  Jack took his first stab at international football in the Italian league as head coach of the Milan team, and then returned to the United States to work for the New York Jets as a scout in 1990.

Elway was paired with GM Oliver Luck in Frankfurt and put together a strong team in 1991, fielding a 7-3 record and narrowly missing the playoffs. The team finished 3rd in offense and first in defense that season. 1992 saw a disappointing reversal of fortune for the Galaxy, plagued by injuries on offense and drained of talent to other leagues on defense, – Frankfurt plunged to a 3-7 record. The WLAF reorganized after the season, so Jack returned stateside joining the Denver Broncos in their scouting department, retiring after the 1999 season.

In 2001 he’d pass away of a heart attack in Palm Springs, California at the age of 70. Beyond his stints in college and the pro ranks, Elway is also known as father of All Pro Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

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