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Western Illinois Athletics Mourns the Loss of Joe Collier

| By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Former coach, Leatherneck Hall of Famer Joe Collier passes at 91

Western Illinois Athletics mourns the loss of former football coach and Leatherneck Athletics Hall of Famer, Joe Collier, who passed away on Monday night at the age of 91.

Coach Collier served as an assistant coach under fellow Leatherneck Hall of Famers Wes Stevens and Lou Saban. After his time at Western Illinois, Coach Collier went on to coach 28 years in professional football, including 20 years in the Denver Broncos' organization. He is considered by many National Football League experts to be one of the finest defensive coaches in the history of the game.

While on Lou Saban's staff from 1957-1959, the Leathernecks went 20-5-1 overall (13-2 at home) and 15-3 in IIAC play. The squad finished tied for 2nd in 1957 and won the league title in 1958 and 1959.

Lou Saban, Joe Collier, Red Miller
Lou Saban, Joe Collier, Red Miller

Collier broke into pro football as an assistant for the Boston Patriots from 1960-61. He coached the Buffalo Bills' linebackers and defensive backs from 1962-65 before taking over as head coach from 1966-68. Collier was 13-16-1 at the helm of the Bills, leading them to the AFL Eastern Division title in 1966 with a 9-4-1 record.

Collier spent 20 seasons on the Broncos' coaching staff from 1969-88. Collier helped Denver to a 168-132-7 record, five division titles and Super Bowl appearances after the 1977, '86 and '87 seasons.

He returned to New England as defensive coordinator from 1991-92.

Collier was a two-time All-America defensive end at Northwestern before being drafted by the New York Giants in 1954.

Collier is survived by three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
 
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