FORMER BROWNS COACH NICK SKORICH PASSES AWAY AT AGE 83

Former Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Skorich passed away on Sunday.

Skorich, who coached the Browns from 1971-74, spent 50 years in the NFL as a player, coach and officiating supervisor.  He compiled a 30-24-2 record in five seasons on the Browns sideline.  Under Skorich, the Browns won the AFC Central title with a 9-5 record in ’71, but lost to Baltimore in the playoffs.

“We are truly saddened to hear of Nick Skorich’s passing,” Browns owner Randy Lerner said.  “We place great value on those individuals who have coached, worked and played for the Cleveland Browns. He will always be a member of our family. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Teresa and his two children.”

A former All-Ohio and All-America selection at the University of Cincinnati, Skorich spent three years in the Navy before going on to play in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1946-48.

Skorich, who grew up in Bellaire, Ohio and starred at Bellaire High School, began his coaching career at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, and later became head coach at Rensselaer Poly in 1953.  His first job in the NFL was as line coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1954-57).  After four seasons in Pittsburgh, Skorich also coached at Green Bay and Philadelphia, where he was head coach from 1961-63.

The wake is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Saul Funeral Home (3795 Nottingham Way in Hamilton Square, N.J.).  Funeral services are set for Thursday, Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Princeton, N.J.

-BROWNS-