A former Indianapolis Colts head coach died Saturday.
Ted Marchibroda was 84.
He coached the team in Baltimore from 1975-1979, then again in Indianapolis from 1992-1995, compiling a 71-67 (.514) regular season record. He led the Colts to the playoffs four times and won three AFC Division titles.
Marchibroda was so revered inside the organization that he was the first head coach to be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, team owner Jim Irsay said, "We are extremely saddened and mourn the loss of Ted Marchibroda. He had a proud history not just with the Colts, but also as a player, coach and broadcaster for over half a century with the NFL. Ted was an innovator and turned the Colts into an instant playoff team when he took his first head coaching role in 1975. Ted was as humble as they come, and he represented the Colts and our community with class both off the field and on. He was beloved by many, and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ann and their family.”
Marchibroda made his coaching debut with the Washington Redskins in 1961 as backfield coach and was there through 1965. He joined George Allen’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams in 1966 and moved with Allen to the Redskins in 1971. Marchibroda served as the offensive coordinator there through the 1974 season.
After his first stint as head coach for the Colts, he served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears (1981), Detroit Lions (1982-83), Philadelphia Eagles (1984-85) and Buffalo Bills (1987-91). In Buffalo, he served on Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Marv Levy’s staff. After his second stint as Colts head coach, Marchibroda returned to Baltimore and was the first head coach of the Ravens. In three seasons (1996-98), he totaled a 16-31-1 record.
Marchibroda played quarterback at St. Bonaventure (1950-51) and the University of Detroit (1952). He led the nation in total offense at Detroit. Marchibroda was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1953 NFL Draft. As a quarterback, he played in 30 career games (11 starts) and completed 172-of-385 passes for 2,169 yards with 16 touchdowns and 29 interceptions with the Steelers (1953, 1955, 1956) and Chicago Cardinals (1957). Marchibroda missed the 1954 season while serving in the Army and returned to Pittsburgh the following year.
A native of Franklin, Pa., Marchibroda and his wife, Ann, had two daughters, Jodi and Lonni and two sons, Ted Jr. and Robert.
