Former NFL coach Monte Clark dies

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Former NFL head coach and player Monte Clark has died from a bone marrow malignancy caused by lung and liver diseases.

Clark, 72, died Wednesday night at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital.

During an 11-year playing career, Clark was both an offensive and defensive tackle.

He played for Cleveland and Dallas, winning the NFL title in 1964 with the Browns.

After he retired in 1969, Clark coached the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

His overall coaching record, 63-61-1, included a 17-0 mark in 1972 with the Dolphins.

He coached two Super Bowl winners, and in 1972 behind a powerhouse offensive line, Clark was the first coach with two backs rushing for over 1,000 yards in one season -- Larry Czonka (1,117 yards) and Mercury Morris (1,000).

"I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Monte," Hall of Fame coach Don Shula said on the Dolphins' Web site Thursday.