George Seifert
Acting
Biography
George Gerald Seifert achieved unprecedented success as San Francisco 49ers head coach, winning two Super Bowl championships while compiling a franchise-record 98 victories and the NFL's second-highest winning percentage at the time of his resignation. Born January 22, 1940 in San Francisco, Seifert grew up across the street from Kezar Stadium, where he ushered at 49ers home games while attending San Francisco Polytechnic High School. At University of Utah, he played guard and linebacker for the Utes before beginning his coaching career. After head coaching positions at Westminster College (3-3 in 1965) and Cornell University (3-15 in two seasons, fired in November 1976), Seifert returned to Stanford in 1977 where he met Bill Walsh. When Walsh moved to the 49ers in 1979, Seifert joined as defensive backs coach in 1980, earning promotion to defensive coordinator in 1983. Over six seasons, his defenses finished in the top ten in fewest points allowed every year, ranking first in 1984, second in 1985, and third in both 1986 and 1987. He earned three Super Bowl rings as Walsh's assistant. On Seifert's 49th birthday, the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIII. Four days later on January 26, 1989, he succeeded Walsh as head coach despite owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.'s preference for a "name coach." Characterized by intense focus and superstitions—refusing to step on the 49ers helmet painted on practice turf, habitually blowing on Certs candies three times before chewing them, wearing lucky sweaters—Seifert's unassuming demeanor belied his coaching brilliance. His 1989 debut produced a spectacular 14-2 record with Joe Montana earning MVP honors. In Super Bowl XXIV, the 49ers demolished Denver Broncos 55-10, the worst Super Bowl defeat in history, with that team considered one of the greatest ever. Seifert became the first rookie head coach to win the Super Bowl since Don McCafferty in 1970. Five years later, the 1994 49ers posted a 13-3 record and dominated San Diego Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX as Steve Young threw six touchdown passes, cementing Seifert as one of only thirteen coaches with multiple Super Bowl victories. Despite owning the NFL's best winning percentage among active coaches, the 49ers refused contract extension after consecutive playoff losses to Green Bay Packers. Seifert resigned in January 1997 rather than accept a lame-duck final season. His Carolina Panthers tenure (1999-2001) produced a disappointing 16-32 record including a franchise-worst 1-15 campaign in 2001, leading to his firing. Seifert worked briefly as CBS Sports NFL Today panelist in 1998 but was removed before season's end. Inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame in 2014, he resides in Bodega Bay, California and Incline Village, Nevada with wife Linda and their two children, Eve and Jason.
Known For
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions is an annual documentary series created by NFL Films (broadcast on the NFL Network and CBS). Each of its 55 (and counting) installments profile the National Football League's annual Super Bowl champion through highlights, interviews with players and coaches, and a celebrity narrator. A spin-off debuted on September 18, 2008, titled America's Game: The Missing Rings which chronicled five of the best teams to never win the Super Bowl.
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions
Step onto the sidelines and stand with legends such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Bill Walsh as you watch one of the most successful teams in NFL history work its magic. From "The Alley Oop" to "The Catch", McElhenny to Montana ..."Joe the Jet" to Flash 80...Bill Walsh to George Seifert, the San Francisco 49ers boast a deep history of brilliant coaches, hard hitting defenses and high powered offenses. Now, here is a DVD collection no true 49ers fan can do without. "As Great As Gold" takes you on a tour that follows the team through the fabulous 50's, covers their resurgence in the 70's and highlights the glory years of a dynasty that won 5 Super Bowls. You'll also see the 1981 NFC Championship game, a see-saw battle which helped put the 49ers on top of the NFL's pecking order.
NFL History of the San Francisco 49ers
A Sports Illustrated compilation video of the NFL's Hardest Hits.
The Best of Thunder and Destruction: NFL's Hardest Hits
Few had heard of Bill Walsh when he was hired as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. Within three seasons, he created a world champion -- within six, he had created a dynasty. In this program, NFL Films goes inside the 49ers dynasty, detailing the system, the players, and the mindset that created the powerhouse 49ers teams of the 1980s.