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Sid Gillman dies at 91

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman, regarded as one of football's greatest offensive minds, died Friday. He was 91.

Gillman, who had recently been in poor health, died at his home.

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The first coach to win division titles in the AFL and NFL, Gillman coached the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles-San Diego Chargers and Houston Oilers during an 18-year career.

He posted a lifetime coaching record of 123-104-7. Gillman was a major reason the AFL became so popular, winning a league title and five division crowns in its first six years of existence, all with the Chargers.

"Sid gave the Chargers image, impetus and respect," an observer once noted. "And in doing so, forced an entire league to adopt his methods just to remain competitive."

In the NFL, Gillman was named AFC Coach of the Year with the Oilers in 1974.

"Sid had a profound impact on the sport," Pro Football Hall of Fame Executive Director John Bankert said. "His love and appreciation of the game was unparalleled."

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