Former MU football coach Warren Powers dies after battle with Alzheimer’s
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Former MU football coach Warren Powers died on Tuesday night in St. Louis, following a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was 80 years old.
Powers led the Tigers for seven seasons, 1978-1984. During that time he was named the 1983 Associated Press Coach of the Year and finished the season ranked in three out of his seven seasons. Only three Mizzou head coaches won more games in their careers than Powers, as he put together a 46-33-3 record.
Powers took the Tigers to five bowl games in his seven seasons with the Tigers. He won three of them, including the 1978 Liberty Bowl in his first season at the helm.
The documentary "100 Years of Mizzou Football" featured Powers' tenure at Mizzou in depth.
Before his time in Missouri, Powers played football for the University of Nebraska and moved on to play at the professional level with the Oakland Raiders, where he was a starting safety for the 1967 Super Bowl champions.
In Wednesday's SEC coaches' call, current Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz sent his condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Powers family.
"He was a big part of our football program, history, and heritage and want to say our thoughts and prayers are with him," he said.
