May 18, 2010(2010-05-18) (aged 89) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1941–1942
Texas A&M
1946
Texas A&M
Position(s)
Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1947
McAllen HS (TX) (assistant)
1948
John Tarleton (assistant)
1949–1950
Tarleton State
1951
Hillsboro HS (TX)
1952
Arlington State
1953–1960
Texas A&M (assistant)
1961–1962
Texas Tech (OL)
1963
Oklahoma State (OL)
1964–1975
Texas (OL)
1976–1977
St. Louis Cardinals (DL)
1978–1980
Buffalo Bills (DL)
1981–1985
New Orleans Saints (DL)
Basketball
1950–1951
Tarleton State
Head coaching record
Overall
19–10–1 (junior college football)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football 1 Pioneer Conference (1952)
Awards
Second-team All-SWC (1946)
Willie Frank Zapalac (December 11, 1920 – May 18, 2010) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football Tarleton State College—now known as Tarleton State University—from 1949 to 1950 and Arlington State College—now known as the University of Texas at Arlington—in 1952, when both schools were junior colleges. Zapalac played college football as a Fullback at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas—now known as Texas A&M University. He was an assistant coach at Texas A&M from 1953 to 1960, Texas Technological College—now known as Texas Tech University— from 1961 to 1962, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in 1963, and University of Texas at Austin from 1964 to 1975. He then coached in the National Football League (NFL) with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1976 to 1977, the Buffalo Bills from 1978 to 1980, and the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1985.
While at the University of Texas, Zapalac coached under Darrell Royal for 12 seasons. During that time, the Texas Longhorns won seven Southwest Conference (SWC) championships and two national championships. Zapalac was known for producing many offensive lines for Texas's wishbone offense. For a period of five years, at least one offensive lineman was named to All-American teams and two of those five have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Willie Frank Zapalac (December 11, 1920 – May 18, 2010) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football Tarleton State College—now...
Petr Zapalač (born 1987), Czech footballer WillieZapalac (1920–2010), American football coach This page lists people with the surname Zapalac. If an...
Willie Frank Zapalac, Jr. (born September 1, 1948) is a former American football linebacker and defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Zapalac...
Darrell Royal Coordinators/assistant coaches Emory Bellard Mike Campbell WillieZapalac Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt...
coaches Fred Akers Emory Bellard Mike Campbell Leon Manley Pat Patterson WillieZapalac Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt...
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive line – WillieZapalac Linebackers – John Paul Young Defensive backfield – Lance Van Zandt...
educator. Snow Chief, 27, American Thoroughbred racehorse, euthanized. WillieZapalac, 89, American football coach. Martin Cohan, 77, American television...
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive line – WillieZapalac Linebackers – John Paul Young Defensive backfield – Mark Hatley Strength...
`Dazed' fame in stride." Austin American-Statesman. October 7, 1993. "WillieZapalac". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 17 January 2022. McCallum High School...
coaches Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach - Tom Caitlin Defensive line – WillieZapalac Defensive backs – Jim Wagstaff Special teams – Steve Moore...
High School in Paragould, Arkansas from 1948 to 1951. He succeeded WillieZapalac as head football coach at Tarleton State in 1951. Sanford was also the...
6 44 Chicago Rockets Bob Sandberg B Minnesota 6 45 Los Angeles Dons WillieZapalac B Texas A&M 6 46 San Francisco 49ers Jack Zilly E Notre Dame 6 47 New...
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive line – WillieZapalac Linebackers – John Paul Young Defensive backfield – Lance Van Zandt...
Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach - Tom Catlin Defensive line – WillieZapalac Defensive backs – Jim Wagstaff Special teams – Steve Moore & Elijah...
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive line – WillieZapalac Linebackers – John Paul Young Defensive backfield – Lance Van Zandt...
Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach - Tom Caitlin Defensive line – WillieZapalac Defensive backs – Jim Wagstaff Special teams – Steve Moore & Elijah...
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