PITTSBURGH, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Former University of Pittsburgh football coach Serafino "Foge" Fazio died of leukemia at the age of 71, Pitt broadcaster Bill Hillgrove said.
Fazio coached the University of Pittsburgh football team from 1982 to 1985 after stints as the college team's linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
While Fazio was with the school's football program, Pitt teams finished in the top 10 rankings five times and played in seven bowl games.
"He was a defensive genius," former Pitt offensive lineman Emil Boures told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday. "The players wanted to play for him, and that was key ... Even if (a player) didn't turn out to be an All-American or a star, Foge still cared about the kid."
Following his tenure at Pitt, Fazio served as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator and enjoyed coaching and coordinator stints with NFL teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
Fazio, who died Wednesday, is survived by his wife, Norma, and his children, Kristen and Vince.
