ARIZONA CARDINALS

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Denny Green dies at 67

Jul 22, 2016, 8:21 AM | Updated: 11:29 am

Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green watches from the sidelines as his team competes against t...

Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green watches from the sidelines as his team competes against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/Rick Hossman)

(AP Photo/Rick Hossman)

The football world is mourning the death of longtime coach Denny Green, who passed away Friday at the age of 67 from cardiac arrest.

Green served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for three seasons from 2004 to 2006, compiling a record of 16-32.

The coach’s greatest success came in Minnesota, where he guided the Vikings for 10 seasons, posting a 97-62 mark and leading the team to four NFC Central titles and eight playoff appearances. Green’s best team was the 1998 Vikings, who went 15-1, but were upset by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.

Prior to his accomplished tenure in the NFL, Green was a successful college coach. He began his coaching career with Dayton in 1971 before moving on to Iowa, then Stanford.

In 1981, Green took over as Northwestern’s head coach and registered a record of 10-45 in five seasons for the long-dormant program. After that, Green was the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers for three years before landing another head coaching position, this one at Stanford.

Green guided the Cardinal for three years, showing improvement in each season. In 1991, Stanford went 8-4 and earned an invitation to the Aloha Bowl — its first bowl appearance in five years.

The NFL noticed, and the Vikings hired Green to take over Jerry Burns.

Green’s tenure in Arizona included the Cardinals’ first season in their new state-of-the art stadium in Glendale, which opened in 2006. That season also featured Green’s notorious post-game meltdown after the Cardinals squandered a 20-point lead and lost to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

Although the Cardinals had a losing record during Green’s tenure, he is widely credited for helping build the team that just two years later, would win its first NFC Championship and play in the Super Bowl.

Cardinals president Michael Bidwill released a statement on Green’s passing Friday morning.

Following his time in Arizona, Green surfaced in the now-defunct United Football League, where he coached three seasons for the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

He is the second former Cardinals head coach to pass away this summer. Buddy Ryan, who coached in Arizona from 1994 to 1995, died June 28 at the age of 85.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

10 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

19 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

23 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Denny Green dies at 67