Ralph Hawkins

Ralph Hawkins (1934- Sept. 9th, 2004) was a former American football coach. He worked thirty-five years in the NFL for nine teams [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A17162-2004Sep12?language=printer] .

Early years

Hawkins starred at St. John's High School in Washington, D.C., winning Catholic league championships in baseball, basketball and football. After high school Hawkins attended the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, where he played quarterback, running back and defensive back [http://www.capegazette.com/pages/obitpagemorgue/obitpagemorg0904.html] . Hawkins played in the 1955 Orange Bowl, and later graduated with a degree in physical education.

College coaching

Ralph Hawkins had a brief playing stint with the New York Titans before beginning his coaching career at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia in 1958. After serving as graduate assistant at the University of Maryland, Hawkins coached at several colleges: Southern Methodist University, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati.

NFL years

Hawkins began his coaching career in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills from 1969-71. He then served the Washington Redskins as defensive assistant under George Allen (1972-77). In his first year on the staff, the Redskins advanced to Super Bowl VII, where they lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins [http://www.hoffco-inc.com/sb/gms/07-rost.html] . During Hawkins' time in Washington, the Redskins posted a record of 58-26, making the playoffs four times. The defense ranked in the top five of the league three times [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/] .

After spending one year with the Baltimore Colts, Hawkins moved on to the New York Giants, where he was linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 1979-81.

From the Giants Hawkins went to coach for the Buffalo Bills under head coach Chuck Knox and followed him to the Seattle Seahawks. Hawkins coached the secondary from 1983-88, during which time his unit was one of the best in the league. In 1983 the Seahawks entered the playoffs as a wildcard team and advanced to the conference championship game, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Raiders. The 1984 team finished with a 12-4 record, losing in the divisional playoffs to the Miami Dolphins. The '84 Seahawks' secondary was second in the league with 38 interceptions, returning seven for touchdowns. The Seahawks intercepted 149 passes during Hawkins' six years in Seattle, second only to the San Francisco 49ers [http://www.seahawks.com/ardisplay.aspx?ID=4472] . Hawkins contributed to Seahawk teams that had a combined record of 57-38 from 1983-88, including 4 playoff appearances and an AFC West Division title in 1988 [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/] .

Hawkins coached one season for the New York Jets in 1989, then spent the remainder of his career as a scout. He scouted for the Arizona Cardinals ('91-93), the Carolina Panthers ('94-97), the Indianapolis Colts ('98-99) and the Houston Texans (2000-02).

A resident of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Hawkins died September 9, 2004. He suffered from Pick's Disease, a neurological disorder that causes dementia [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A17162-2004Sep12?language=printer] .

References

* http://www.hoffco-inc.com/sb/gms/07-rost.html
* http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/
* http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/

External links

* http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A17162-2004Sep12?language=printer
* http://www.capegazette.com/pages/obitpagemorgue/obitpagemorg0904.html Ralph Hawkins' obituary
* http://www.seahawks.com/ardisplay.aspx?ID=4472