MacPherson, Dick (1930-2017)

Card: ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz

Syracuse Orangeman coaching legend Dick MacPherson was hired to fix the woeful Patriots. (Somebody had to do it.) He’d field a surprisingly competitive team in 1991 but the team would regress in 1992 and he’d be fired at season’s end after an 8-24 record. Fear not though, this is when Patriots’ lore gets good as the next coach hired was Bill Parcells.

Coach MacPherson though should be remembered though, rightfully so, for his work at the college level, which started way back in 1958 with the University of Illinois. He’d make stops at the University of Massachusetts, Cincinnati, and Maryland before going to the pros as an assistant with the Denver Broncos of the AFL from 1967-1970. He’d return to coach at Massachusetts from 1971-1977, then off to the Browns for the next 3 seasons to coach linebackers.

In 1980 Dickey Mac would make his mark taking over for the Orangemen at Syracuse turning the college sports program around. He’d coach there for the next 10 years before 2 final years with the Patriots, and retire. His cumulative college record was 111-73-5. MacPherson was inducted into the CFHoF in 2009 and he provides commentary on the Syracuse Orangemen radio network.

EPITAPH:

8/8/2017- Dick MacPherson passed away at the age of 86, surrounded by friends and family in Syracuse, NY.