Former Raiders coach dies

OAKLAND, Calif., June 12 (UPI) -- Former Oakland Raiders Coach John Rauch has died in Oldsmar, Fla., from unknown causes, the Oakland Tribune said. He was 80.

Rauch died in his sleep Tuesday, the newspaper said.

Rauch was an outstanding quarterback at the University of Georgia from 1945-48. He was the first college signal-caller to start in four straight bowl games.

He was the second selection overall in the 1949 NFL. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Rauch succeeded managing partner Al Davis as Oakland's head coach prior to the 1966 season and coached the Raiders to a record of 33-8-1 in 42 regular-season games.

"They were memorable years for the Raiders, and they should not be forgotten," the team said in a statement.

Oakland won the American Football League title in 1967 and was beaten 33-14 by Green Bay at Super Bowl II on Jan. 14, 1968, in Miami.

Rauch was named the 1968 AFL Coach of the Year.