BILL WALSH -- MASTER BUILDER

In its' history, San Francisco has known two remarkable rebuilding jobs.

 

The first came after the epic 1906 earthquake. Through the determination and fortitude of its' leaders and people, the City by the Bay rose from the ashes of that utter devastation to become an even more vibrant and dynamic locale.

 

In some ways, the other resurrection was no less impressive. Considered a veritable pushover from 1977 until well into the 1980 season, the football Forty Niners enjoyed a similar renaissance to that of the city whose name they bore.

 

In one of the sporting world's most astounding turnarounds, the Niners emerged from the rubble of complete ineptitude and transformed themselves into the model franchise of the NFL, the envy of every other team in the league.

 

They went from being the dregs and a total laughingstock, to becoming masters of the game and kings of all they surveyed. In three short years, San Francisco shed its' image of being the ultimate loser in favor of being considered the consummate winner. They were simply and unarguably the best. The paupers had become royalty and their reign was destined to be a long and memorable one. 

 

Rebuilding  San Francisco in the wake of the quake was accomplished because thousands of citizens banded together to forge a brand new city. And while many individuals had a hand in the rebirth of the 49ers, one man alone authored it. It was his skill as a savvy executive and a brilliant coach that was most responsible for the Niners becoming a legitimate dynasty. It was his vision that was superbly executed on the football field. Without question, he was the architect of the Niners' revival and the driving force behind the team's phenomenal success.

 

And because be brought San Francisco its' first professional title and two more to follow, he has a very special and unique place in the hearts of Bay Area fans. Their affection and respect for him runs deep and true. He's beloved and revered because it was he, more than any other, who led the Niners out of the wilderness and gave a diverse city something over which to unify. The man gave San Francisco countless reasons to rejoice and feel good about itself.

 

So is it any wonder that with the recent passing of Bill Walsh, football savant and G.M. extraordinaire, the city and its' inhabitants feel like they've had the wind knocked out of them? Their sense of loss is palpable. Their feelings of emptiness profound. A true icon has left them and men of his stature don't happen along very often.

 

With Walsh's passing comes the sense that the wondrous era of the '80's, when Walsh was the master maestro who transformed the Niners into genuine titans, will never be duplicated.

 

When Bill Walsh arrived on the scene in 1979, the Niners were a mess, woeful and rudderless. And a year and a half into Walsh's tenure, with the losses continuing to mount, Walsh had some serious doubts about whether he would ever cut it as a head coach.

 

But an encouraging finish in '80 offered some hope. His message was starting to get across. Walsh's radical offensive philosophy of ball-control passing was showing signs of taking hold.

 

Then, it all came together with a magnificent and unexpected run to the Super Bowl in 1981. It was a magic carpet ride the likes of which San Francisco sports fans had never before experienced.

 

Yet, that was just a prelude. Before Walsh walked away, prematurely as it turned out, he would capture three Super Bowl crowns and six West Division titles. Walsh had elevated expectations exponentially so that by the time he vacated the sideline, anything short of winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy was deemed a disappointment.

 

The Niners had gone from being a pathetic joke to being the perennial favorite everyone was gunning to knock off. Walsh had forever changed the team's image, culture and perception.

 

Walsh was man of many parts. A superb tactician, he seemed to know what would work and when. He revolutionized the game by refining a short to intermediate passing attack and made it the scourge of the league. With the incomparable Joe Montana as his triggerman, Walsh created an offense that was incredibly rhythmic and breathtaking in its' efficiency. What Walsh wrought on the field was every bit as artistic as anything that Rembrandt put to canvas.

 

But Walsh didn't stop at being just a creative mind. He was a tremendous teacher as well. Whether he was schooling his coaching staff or his players, Walsh had a knack for getting sophisticated concepts and schemes across to his charges. Having a storehouse of knowledge is one thing but being able to impart it to others is something quite different. The fact that Walsh's teams were among the most cerebral and quick-thinking demonstrated that he taught his lessons well.

 

His eye for talent was also legendary. While others passed on gems like Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Dwight Clark, Walsh saw their inherent potential and then set about extracting it. Some of his drafts, particularly the 1986 haul, rank among the best in NFL history.

 

Because of his outwardly cool and collected demeanor, many thought Walsh had the temperament of a college professor. He could be extremely easy going and dignified. When necessary, however, Walsh could vent with the best of them. He generally spoke softly but every now and then, he'd unload with a big stick. Because Walsh picked his spots when to get tough, it invariably had the desired effect.

 

His presence and the respect he engendered was so imposing that his authority went unchallenged. He was the ultimate father figure within the organization and as such was simultaneously loved, feared, admired and perhaps a bit misunderstood. But no one ever questioned that he was the "Man" in every sense of the word. The one who set the parameters and orchestrated the show.

 

Though he had strong relationships with countless players, the one athlete he's most closely identified with is Montana. They will forever be linked. Montana was Walsh's prize pupil and the shining example of the coach's teaching acumen.

 

They enjoyed a symbiotic association the likes of which has rarely been seen. Walsh nurtured and tutored Montana into being arguably the NFL's greatest quarterback. Meanwhile, it was Montana who brought Walsh's X's and O's to life, making the coach's artistic game plans an awesome reality on the field.

 

There's no denying that Walsh shaped and molded Montana in his image and was greatly responsible for turning the skinny-legged youngster from Notre Dame into the brightest of stars. But, by the same token, it was Montana's athleticism, innate instincts and incredible precision that made Walsh's offense go and helped earn the silver-haired coach the lofty moniker of the "Genius."

 

The truth is that Walsh certainly helped make Montana. Conversely, it was Montana who greatly contributed to making Walsh. In short, they made each other.

 

On the Friday before Walsh's death, Montana went to visit his gravely ill ex-coach. Needless to say, it must have been an emotional meeting. Though those moments will probably stay forever private, wouldn't it be fascinating to know what they discussed? It's a given that they expressed their deep affection and appreciation for one another. How could it be otherwise? Together, they helped forge one of the greatest and most dominant runs in the annals of the NFL.

 

It would have been quite understandable that as they interacted for the last time, their thoughts turned wistfully back to the halcyon days of the 80's when Walsh was the undisputed king of the realm and Montana was the dashing prince Walsh had so meticulously groomed.

 

They were together at the beginning when the Niners made their supersonic rise to the top and fittingly and poignantly, they were together at the end right before Walsh sadly passed on. And the prince surely grieved when he said his last goodbye to the king who had shown and given him so much.

 

So San Francisco has had to bid adieu to a bona fide legend. The mark that Bill Walsh left on the Bay Area is incalculable. Few men have had such an impact! He was someone who became as recognizable as Fisherman's Wharf. As impressive as the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

He inherited a franchise that was destitute and reeling but through his remarkable foresight and vision, he transformed it into a powerhouse of historic proportions. Walsh single-handedly made the 49ers relevant again. He restored purpose and pride in an organization that had clearly lost its' way. He brought the Niners back from the dead and breathed new life into them. He built them into something glorious. No wonder he's so esteemed in the City by the Bay.

 

And that's why San Franciscans everywhere heaved a deep sigh and shed genuine tears when Walsh left them. His like won't ever been seen again. For it was Walsh who worked the most amazing of miracles. He made S.F. the football capital of the world. And that's a legacy, they'll never forget!