The Enquirer and wire reports

San Diego Chargers coach Sid Gillman is shown on the sidelines of a Chargers game in the 1960's. Gillman said the key to his offensive philosophy was spreading the field. ''There were many aspects of the offense Bill Walsh used that we used with the Chargers in the '60s,'' he said. ''If you watch Dick Vermeil, he covers the field vertically and horizontally. That causes some problems defensively.'' (AP file photo) | ZOOM |

Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman, who devoted his life to football, left his mark at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. Gillman, 91, died at his Carlsbad, Calif., home in his sleep last Friday.

An offensive innovator, Gillman was head coach at Miami from 1944-47 and UC from 1949-54. His record was a combined 81-19-2.

At Miami, Gillman was 31-6-1 and led the team to its first bowl game. He was 50-13-1 at Cincinnati, with three Mid-American Conference titles and two bowl berths.

Gillman was an end at run-oriented Ohio State. He acknowledged the coaching influence of Paul Brown.

"I always felt before Paul Brown, coaches just rolled the ball out onto the field," said Gillman, who nurtured the upstart American Football League in the 1960s.

Gillman coached the Los Angeles Rams from 1955-59 and the Chargers in Los Angeles and San Diego from 1960-69 and again in 1971. His teams went 123-104-7, including a stint with the Houston Oilers in 1973-74.

A funeral service was held Sunday for family and close friends. Gillman's wife, Esther, said a tribute will be held at a later date.