SANTA ROSA, California - Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh,
the architect of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty in the 1980s,
is battling leukemia, the Santa Rosa Democrat reported on its
web site Friday.
According to the report, the 74-year-old Walsh had known about
his condition for several years.
"There were indications as far back as 2004," he told the
newspaper. "I was anemic. I was being treated. When they
tested the bone marrow, they found I was deficient."
Walsh, who won three Super Bowls with the 49ers and
revolutionized the game with his innovative West Coast offense,
did say he has been feeling better since a series of blood
transfusions the last month.
"The worst phase was three to four weeks ago," he said in the
report. "I've come back dramatically since and I'm better."
However, Walsh reserved judgment about his recovery.
"I'm positive, but not evangelistic," he said. "I'm
pragmatically doing everything my physicians recommend and I'm
working through it."
Nicknamed "The Genius" well before his induction into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame in 1993, Walsh posted a 102-63-1 record in
10 seasons with the 49ers. He won 10 of 14 postseason games
and six division titles from 1979-88, being honored as Coach of
the Year in 1981 and 1984.
In San Francisco, Walsh was responsible for drafting Joe
Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley.
After guiding the Niners to their third Super Bowl triumph in
the 1988 season, Walsh became a broadcaster for NBC. George
Seifert guided the Niners to two more Super Bowl titles after
Walsh departed.
Walsh became coach at Stanford for a second time in 1992,
leaving in 1994 after consecutive losing seasons. He also
coached at the school in 1977-78.
In 1999, Walsh returned to the Niners, serving as general
manager for three years. He also was a special consultant for
the franchise for three more years from 2002-04.
Walsh was the interim athletic director at Stanford until Bob
Bowlsby was hired in April.