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Legendary Navy Football Coach Wayne Hardin Dies At 91

April 13th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

College football Hall of Famer and former Navy coach Wayne Hardin has died at the age of 91. Hardin suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday and passed away on Wednesday morning.

Hardin was the head coach at Navy from 1959-64 and compiled a record of 38-22-2, including a 5-1 mark against Army. Hardin also coached in the first Navy-Air Force game, which was won by Navy, 35-3, in 1960.

"The Naval Academy is heartbroken over the loss of one of our icons," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "He was not only a great coach, but a special person that had the respect of everyone who played for him and knew him as a great leader. Coach Hardin set the bar in how we measure excellence at the Naval Academy. He has remained close to the Naval Academy and many of his former players through the course of his retirement. We have shared some special moments with him over the years when we have invited back some of his greatest Navy teams. He will truly be missed, but Wayne Hardin will never ever be forgotten by the Navy family."

Hardin coached some of the greatest teams in Navy history. In 1960, led by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino, Navy went 9-2 and played Missouri in the Orange Bowl. The Mids finished No. 4 in the country in the Associated Press poll.

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