Longtime Vikings offensive line coach Michels dies at 87
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — John Michels, a College Football Hall of Famer whose 27 seasons as a Minnesota Vikings assistant coach included all four of their Super Bowl appearances, has died. He was 87.
Michels' daughter, Sarah Michels-Dunkel, said Friday her father died Thursday in Kingsport, Tenn.
Michels worked on the Vikings' coaching staff from 1967-93, making him the longest-tenured assistant coach in franchise history. He was the offensive line coach that entire stretch aside from one season a running backs coach.
He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953 and 1956 before joining the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Michels played guard on Tennessee's 1951 national championship team and earned consensus All-America honors in 1952.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL playoff bracket: Schedule, picture, Super Bowl result
2024 NFL predictions: An early look at division winners
-
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers
2023 Top 10 NFL quarterbacks: Ranking the best QBs after Patrick Mahomes
-
2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: All is quiet as league awaits schedule release
2025 NFL mock draft: Who are next year's top prospects
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL playoff bracket: Schedule, picture, Super Bowl result
2024 NFL predictions: An early look at division winners
-
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers
2023 Top 10 NFL quarterbacks: Ranking the best QBs after Patrick Mahomes
-
2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: All is quiet as league awaits schedule release
2025 NFL mock draft: Who are next year's top prospects
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects