COLUMBIA, Mo. - Al Onofrio, former coach at Missouri who also helped design defenses for Dan Devine for more than a decade, died. He was 83.
Mr. Onofrio died Friday night at Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa, Ariz., said one of his sons, Mike Onofrio. About a week ago, Mr. Onofrio was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his son said.
Mr. Onofrio, the Associated Press Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1972, led Devine's defenses from 1958-70, during which the Tigers went 93-37-7, won two Big Eight titles and made six bowl appearances.
When Devine left Missouri to coach the Packers in 1971, Mr. Onofrio took over and went 38-41 in seven seasons. After going 1-10 in his first year, Onofrio guided the Tigers to the Fiesta Bowl in 1972 and Sun Bowl the next season. In 1973, the Tigers went 8-4 and finishedranked 17th.
"This is certainly a sad day for Mizzou," athletic director Mike Alden said. "Everyone associated with Missouri should be thankful for the time he spent here and how much he meant to the institution by what he brought not only with his football expertise, but also his character."
Funeral arrangements were pending in Tempe.
SPURRIER NOT DONE: Despite passing on the opportunity to apply for the Florida job, Steve Spurrier said he isn't done coaching yet.
"A lot of stuff is going to happen in the next three or four weeks," Spurrier told the Gainesville Sun. "Whatever happens happens. But I've never said I'm retired."
Spurrier, 59, withdrew from consideration for the Gators job Thursday, deciding 12 years at the school was enough. He is sitting out this year after coaching two seasons with the Redskins. He has been mentioned as a possibility for several jobs, including the Dolphins where Dave Wannstedt is likely to be fired.
Also Friday, Spurrier's daughter, Amy Moody, gave birth to a baby girl.
MANNING AWARD: The Sugar Bowl has created the Manning Award, named in honor of the accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It will be presented annually to the nation's best quarterback, determined by a national panel of media. Also voting will be each of the Mannings along with a former Sugar Bowl MVP quarterback, which will rotate annually. Voting for the award will take place after the holiday bowl season.
USF KICKER WINS HONOR: The Bulls' Justin Geisler, a kicker and a Kosove Scholar, has been named "Outstanding Senior" at the university for the December 2004 Commencement. The USF Alumni Association presents the award each semester.
"We are thrilled to be able to recognize a student of this academic and athletic caliber with a universitywide honor," Alumni Association president Lisa Lewis said.
Geisler is a Management and Economics major in the College of Business with a 3.99 overall grade-point average, in addition to being an Honors College student, community volunteer and a Sun Dome summer employee.
