While the world remembers Bill Walsh as the architect of the west coast offense, and the man who built the San Francisco 49ers dynasty in the 1980s, he holds special reverence at the two schools which felt his influence.
Remembering the Genius
"The tradition and fabric of Stanford football is intertwined with Bill Walsh," Harbaugh said as the Cardinal (1-1) prepared for their home opener against the Spartans (0-2) on Saturday evening. "When you talk about a legacy, what kind of footprint a man leaves behind, he has it 1,000 times over."
Walsh got his start as a player and coach with San Jose State. He earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree at the school. He started his coaching career there as a graduate assistant.
"He lives on in professional teams, across the landscape of football," said Harbaugh. "I'd sit in his office and listen to him talk football. There were several luncheons with football people getting together. Those were memorable experiences."
While Harbaugh's football career was beginning to bud at Palo Alto High School, across the El Camino Real from Stanford Stadium, Walsh was busy winning the first of several Super Bowl championships.
Walsh ended his coaching career at Stanford but maintained an office until he passed away due to complications associated with leukemia a few years ago. The yearly meeting between Stanford and San Jose State was renamed in his honor in 2007.
"Anybody who came in contact with him saw a great man and a good person," Harbaugh said.
Spartans-Cardinal Connections
San Jose State wide receivers coach (and former NFL star) Ken Margerum played for Walsh at Stanford, helping win the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl.
Margerum, who also coached at Stanford, will be honored before Saturday's game in recognition of his election into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The two-time All-American holds the school record with 30 career touchdown receptions.
Two other current San Jose State assistant coaches, Kent Baer and Steve Morton, have also served on Stanford’s coaching staff .
Stanford’s tight end coach Tim Drevno served as offensive line coach at San Jose State in 1999.
Stanford’s equipment managere Gary Hazelitt served in the same capacity at San Jose State.
Stanford’s head athletic trainer Steve Bartlinski served in the same capacity for the San Jose SaberCats for 12 seasons, working with current San Jose State assistant head coach Terry Malley, then the general manager of the Arena Football League team.
Former Stanford broadcaster (and Stanford grad) Bob Murphy is a former athletic director at San Jose State.
The Series History
Stanford leads the all-time series, which dates to 1900, 48-14-1 and has won six of the past seven meetings. San Jose State coach Dick Tomey led the 2006 Spartans to a home win over Stanford en route to its New Mexico Bowl appearance.
Stanford grad Trent Edwards, who guides the Buffalo Bills, passed for a career-high four touchdowns in the game, a 35-34 San Jose State victory.
Stanford running back Toby Gerhart has rushed for 370 yards in his last three yards combined against San Jose State, including each of his season-best rushing games.
In 1977, Stanford freshman running back Darrin Nelson (now an administrator for the Cardinal) set the school single-game rushing yards record with 211 yards.
They Said It
"It's a rivalry game. It brings out the best in everybody. We look forward to the game." -- Toby Gerhart.
Rick Eymer - I have written for The San Mateo Times, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and am currently working part-time as an assistant sports editor at ...
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