Passionate, respected assistant coach who worked for Raiders, Cal, Stanford dies at 72

13.05.2019 22:53

MercuryNews.com

Gunther Cunningham, who spent a lifetime as a football coach, including stops with Stanford, Cal and the Los Angeles Raiders, died Saturday at 72.

The announcement was made by the Detroit Lions, for whom Cunningham worked last. The Detroit Free Press reported that the one-time Walnut Creek resident died of cancer.

“Gunther Cunningham will forever be remembered as one of the great men of our game,” the Lions said in a statement. “He left a lasting impact on every person who was fortunate enough to work alongside him during his more than 47 years as a coach — including 34 years in the National Football League, the final eight of which were spent here in Detroit. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, René, and their entire family.”

From former Oakland Raiders quarterback and MVP Rich Gannon:

So sad to hear of the passing of one of the best coaches in the game, Gunther Cunningham. I went against him & his defense in practice everyday for 4yrs with the KC & it definitely made me a better player. He was intense & took it personally if you had any success vs his unit!

— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) May 13, 2019

Born in Munich, Germany, Cunningham came to the United States at age 12 when his mother married a U.S. serviceman. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he began his peripatetic odyssey in 1969 as Oregon’s defensive line coach. He most recently worked as a senior coaching assistant in 2016 with the Detroit Lions.

Passionate and at times intense, Cunningham coached at the college level, in the CFL and the NFL. He coached Stanford’s linemen from 1973-76 and as Cal’s secondary coach and defensive coordinator from 1977-80. He was 30 years into his career before he scored his first and only head coaching position.

The Kansas Chiefs elevated Cunningham from defensive coordinator in January 1999 after the sudden resignation of Marty Schottenheimer. A profile on Cunningham in the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal World reported he “screams at players one minute, and hugs them the next but apparently always commands their respect.”

Unfortunately Cunningham’s two seasons at the helm came at a time of upheaval for the Chiefs. The biggest blow was the death of Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Thomas who died after a car accident. After posting a 16-16 record over two seasons, Cunningham was fired. But he never stopped working.

Or commanding respect.

Was sad to learn of the passing of my friend, Gunther Cunningham.
I had the honor to coach with him & against him. You’ll never meet another man with such a passion for people, family & football. We will miss him deeply. Our thoughts & prayers are with Rene and the family. pic.twitter.com/xvIOs5x1vt

— Jeff Fisher (@CoachJeffFisher) May 13, 2019

Seriously, if you are a Chiefs fan in your late 20's to mid 30's and you love defensive football, it is very likely because of Gunther Cunningham

— ChiefBearcat (@Chief_Bearcat) May 13, 2019