Sad News for the Cardinals

It was announced earlier today that former Arizona Cardinals Defensive Line Coach and Front Office Personnel, Jim Stanley, passed away after his 17 month battle with Cancer.

Jim Stanley had a prestigous career in Football. He was the Head Coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1973 to 1978. It appeared he would be attending the Fiesta Bowl to root on the Cowboys till his health took a turn for the worst. “Even in the last year or so that I know had been difficult for him, he was still able to follow the sport closely and I know was very excited earlier this month when Oklahoma State was here for the Fiesta Bowl. All of us at the Cardinals and throughout the football community send our condolences to the entire Stanley family" Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwell said. Stanley was a Guard and Defensive Tackle at Texas A&M. Following his collegiate career, he skipped out on playing in the NFL and went straight to coaching. He was an assistant coach at SMU in 1961 and Texas El-Paso in 1962. Then became the Defensive Coordinator at OSU from 1963-68, the US Naval Academy from 1969-70, and the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1971. Stanley went on to pro football as the defensive line coach with the New York Giants in 1979 and with the Atlanta Falcons from 1980-8). He then coached USFL’s Panthers of the USFL in 1983-84 before working as the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1986) and then as a defensive line coach for the Houston Oilers for six seasons (1989-94). His head coaching record with OSU was 35-31-2. He retired from the game of football in 2007.

He is survived by his 56 year old wife, four children, 10 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.