Event Date: June 30th, 1982
Event Description: Ralston Returns
Source: United Press International
John Ralston is back in professional football.
Tuesday, it was announced Ralston had been named head coach and general manager of the San Francisco franhcise in the new United States Football League.
Terms of his agreement were not disclosed except that he had signed a two-year contract. The league expects to start its first season next March.
“I'm happy to be back in professional football,” Ralston said at the news conference announcing his signing, “and I'm especially happy it's in the Bay Area, where I have my roots.”
Ralston grew up in Oakland, played football at the University of Califorina and served as head coach at Stanford for nine years, leading the Cardinals to Rose Bowl victories in 1971 and 1972. He left Stanford to serve as head coach and general manager of the Denver Broncos but resigned under pressure in 1977.
In more recent years, he served as an administrative assistant to Bill Walsh with the San Francisco 49ers.
Ralston becomes the third former NFL coach to sign with a USFL team. George Allen is the coach and general manager of the Chicago franchise, while the New York based team has recruited Chuck Fairbanks.
The league as yet has no players or playing sites, but has awarded 12 franchises. Still, it will not be starting on a shoestring since it already has signed three three-year television contracts with ABC, ESPN and Canadian broadcasting. It is estimated the television package is worth more than $32 million.
Story property of UPI
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