'87 Chronology-Fresh Start

Event Date: December 23rd, 1987

Event Description: Outlaws Name Coach

Source: UPI

The Oklahoma Outlaws of the United States Football League have named Woody Widenhofer as their head coach.

Widenhofer joins Oklahoma after a 16-year career as an assistant under Steeler head coach Chuck Noll. He was assistant head coach for two seasons and defensive coordinator for another five years. He joined the Steelers in 1973 as linebacker coach at which post he helped to develop such pros as Jack Lambert and Jack Ham.

He was a member of the defensive staff which developed the famous Steel Curtain. During his tenure with the Steelers, they won four Super Bowl championships but Widenhofer's biggest accomplishment might have been adjusting the Steel Curtain to the new 3-4 defense. In 1982, Pittsburgh ranked second in the NFL in sacks and fourth in interceptions while establishing a new team record for fewest rushing yards allowed per game, 84.7.

"Leaving Missouri after three years was a big decision for me. I always thought it would take a super situation to even make me think about moving and the Oklahoma Outlaws present such a situation," he said.

J. Walter Duncan, the Outlaws’ new owner, said, “When we evaluated our overall picture, we decided to go for someone who had worked many years in pro football and who had worked in a college environment. In Woody Widenhofer, we have exceeded our goals and expectations,” Duncan concluded.

Widenhofer added, “I'm convinced the Oklahoma Outlaws are a first-class program. The owners want to win and win fast. I'm impressed with the administration and the personnel department and I'm looking forward to working with them.”

Story-(UPI Modified)