Washington Huskies Legend Don James Dies At 80
By Josh Davis
Oct 19, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) leads his team onto the field prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The “Dawgfather” has passed away, according to multiple Seattle reports.
Don James was the Washington Husky head coaching legend who led UW from 1975-1992. He finished his career as the winningest head coach in Huskies’ history and that record still stands today.
James is said to have fallen to the effects of pancreatic cancer.
A quick breakdown of the career of James by King 5 news:
"During his 18 seasons at the helm, he led Washington to six conference titles and the 1991 national championship. James was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year in 1977, when he led the Huskies to the Rose Bowl for his first time. In 1991, he won four different national coach of the year awards. At the time of his retirement in 1993, his 10 bowl-game victories were fourth-most in college history, behind only Paul “Bear” Bryant, Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden."
He’s not a Coug, but that’s pretty special company. James was the coach when I started to get into watching the Cougars play and I remember many a Apple Cup battle with him as the coach. I’m sure many Coug fans have a bitter spot for James in their hearts, but as I always say, Coug or Dawg, life comes first.
It’s an unfortunate thing for football fans everywhere that Don James is gone.