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SWOYERSVILLE — Walt Michaels, former head coach of the New York Jets and a native of Swoyersville, died Wednesday at the age of 89.
His daughter, Mary Ann, said her father never forgot his roots, growing up in the coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania where he learned the value and importance of a solid work ethic.
”His work ethic did come from this area,” Mary Ann said. “My father understood what hard work was. He never missed work — no sick days and no personal days. He never forgot his roots.”
And those that knew Michaels and played for him never forgot him and they recalled the lessons they learned from their coach.
Michaels,who was living at Shickshinny Lake, died on July 10, Mary Ann said, six years to the day after his wife, the former Betty Yuhas, passed on July 10, 2013. Walt and Betty both attended Swoyersville High School, Mary Ann said, when they dated. They would later reconnect after Walt went off to college.
Michaels went to Washington and Lee University, where he was named All-American. In 1951, he was the second-round draft pick of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.
Michaels went on to coach the Jets from 1977 to 1982.
Mary Ann said when Walt was playing with the Browns he saw Betty at Sammy K’s in Edwardsville and the romance was reignited.
In addition to Mary Ann, Walt and Betty had three other children: Walt Jr., Mark and Paul.
Mary Ann said the family is planning a private funeral. Walt’s obituary will appear later in the week, she said.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in await Michaels’ name to: NFL Retired Players Congress, an organization dedicated to “the men who made the game,” 940 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015. More information is available at www.playerscongress.com.
Former players
Several players who were coached by Michaels had a common theme when they talked about their former coach — respect, love and genius.
Greg Buttle, who played at Penn State — where he was named a consensus All-American in 1975 — was a linebacker for the Jets.
“Walt Michaels was a different type of man to a lot of people, but he certainly was one type of coach — he was a great coach,” Buttle, 65, said. “Walt was special in the way he taught you the game. He knew the game, but he not only knew the Xs and Os, he knew how to show you how to do it.”
Buttle said Michaels would tell him the angle how to hit and he would tell you why you hit and why you don’t hit people.
“Walt was an inordinate genius when it came down to the analysis of his players and how to play the game,” Buttle said. “I wouldn’t have been the football player I was if not for the tutelage of Walt Michaels. Walt never wanted to change you — wanted to make you better. He taught you the game and how to play it the way you could.”
Bruce Harper, 64, played at Kutztown with Walt Michaels Jr. He said Walt Jr. called his dad and asked him to give Harper a tryout.
Harper was a running back and kick returner for the Jets, signed as an undrafted free agent in 1977. Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5,407 yards in kickoff returns.
“Walt Michaels was quietly a great man,” Harper said. “We all certainly respected him and cared for him. Walt never got his just due as far as football was concerned.”
In 1972, Michaels began a 10-year stretch as head coach of the Jets, being named Coach of the Year in 1978 and leading the team to the 1982 AFC championship game.
“I never understood how after the year we made it to the AFC championship game, they fired him the next year,” Harper said. “We didn’t like it. You don’t get that far unless you’re a great coach.”
Harper said Michaels wasn’t “a rah-rah” kind of guy.
“But when he spoke, you certainly listened,” Harper said. “As a player, I had nothing but respect for him mixed with a little bit of fear — but mostly respect. And Walt deserved it — he earned it. We all loved the man.”
Harper said he will never forget Michaels for giving him the opportunity, coming from a small school to play in the NFL.
John Nitti attended Yale and was on three Ivy League championship teams. In his senior year, he was elected captain of the varsity football team. As a running back, he received plenty of attention from the pro scouts, and he was invited to the Jets pre-season camp in 1981.
”I loved Coach Michaels,” Nitti said. “He was what I consider a tough but very fair coach. You always knew what you were getting with Coach Michaels — there was no facade — he was always straight forward.”
Nitti called Michaels “a salt of the earth” kind of guy who was always respected.
“You would do anything for him,” Nitti said.
Nitti said he had several injuries and when he couldn’t play, he went to Michaels and told him he didn’t feel he should be paid.
“I think Coach Michaels got a kick out of that,” Nitti said. “I would run through a wall for that guy.”
Nitti said Michaels always got tremendous respect and admiration from his players.
“He had such a presence and command of the room,” Nitti said. “His words almost echoed in your mind when he spoke.”
Nitti said he reached out to Walt Jr. on June 22 because “I had a feeling” and he wanted to speak to Coach Michaels, but he didn’t get the opportunity.’
”I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me and how much he will always mean to me,” Nitti said. “There are people you come across in your life — some you just move on, others who impact you. Walt Michaels was a guy who influenced me tremendously.”
Marty Lyons, 62, came to the Jets after playing for Coach Paul Bear Bryant at Alabama. Lyons wore number 93 when he was part of the Jets’ famed “Sack Exchange” with Joe Klecko, Abdul Salaam and Mark Gastineau.
“We didn’t just lose a member of the family,” Lyons said. “We lost a friend — a hard-nosed throwback type of coach who took his experience as a player and taught us how to play the game. I’ve tried to implement what he taught me in my life. Walt was a great coach and a good friend.”
Lyons said when he arrived at the Jets’ rookie camp in 1979, Michaels took him aside and told him that the name of the game was to get to the quarterback.
“Walt never worried about hurting your feelings,” Lyons said. “He wanted you to become a better football player.”
Lyons said he still can’t believe Michaels was let go the year after the Jets made it to the AFC title game.
“We would have won a Super Bowl under Walt,” he said. “He had the respect of everyone in that locker room. Walt always protected his players. He’s in a better place now.”
