Sam Wyche, the former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has passed away. News broke late Thursday afternoon that Wyche was found dead at his South Carolina home at the age of 74. He would have turned 75 years old this Sunday.
Wyche had struggled with health issues for the last few years. He received a heart transplant in 2016. Coach Wyche was then diagnosed with liver cancer in 2019, and that is what is believed to be the cause of his death.
Wyche coached the Cincinnati Bengals from 1984 through 1991, leading his team to a Super Bowl XXIII appearance. Unfortunately, they came away on the losing end against the San Francisco 49ers during the era of the Bill Walsh-coached dynasty team.
Wyche is credited with bringing the no-huddle offense to the Bengals, which led to their success.
Wyche joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 as head coach, a position he held for four years. He posted a career coaching record of 84-107, breaking down as 61-66 with the Bengals and 23-41 in Tampa Bay.
He had a reputation for being a very approachable guy, during and after his coaching days.
RIP to the great Sam Wyche, 1945-2020 🐯 pic.twitter.com/pgzMhom5ji
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) January 2, 2020
Statement from #Bengals President Mike Brown on the passing of Sam Wyche. pic.twitter.com/Y1fvmm7Aff
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2020
One Response
Your grandfather met Sam many times. He’d be proud that you wrote about him even if it was about his passing…
Aunt Erica