Bill Walsh, arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time, has passed. He was 75. He was a worthy foe, an innovative leader, and a man who changed the game forever.
In terms of Super Bowl championships, Walsh is one of only two men with three rings (Joe Gibbs being the other), and only Chuck Noll and his 70s Steelers got 4. You can even give him credit for the first Niners win under Seifert, since he built that team from the front office.
On the Mount Rushmore of NFL Coaches, it's probably the following for me: Lombardi, Walsh, Gibbs, Landry, Shula. Belichick will be on that list by the time he retires, Parcells would join with another Super Bowl win (though it looks like he's done), and Noll would beat Shula on some lists (though most people would say it's personnel, not coaching, that pulled off that run).
I learned from a colleague that Walsh was always a fan of Victor Davis Hanson. I think that seems right.
Here's to a guy that made Sundays epic. R.I.P.