Willie Zapalac
Encyclopedia
Willie Frank Zapalac was the eighth head college football
coach for the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks
located in Arlington, Texas
, and he held that position for the 1952 season. His career coaching record at UT Arlington was 8 wins, 1 losses, and 1 ties. This ranks him tenth at UT Arlington in total wins and first at UT Arlington in winning percentage.
Zapalac later coached at Texas A&M
(where he attended school), Texas Tech
, Oklahoma State
, and the University of Texas
and in the NFL at the St. Louis Cardinals
, Buffalo Bills
, and New Orleans Saints
.
While at the University of Texas, he coached under Darrell Royal
for 12 years. During that time, Texas won 7 conference championships and 2 National Championships. He was known for producing many great offensive lines in the 'Wishbone' attack. For a period of 5 years at least one offensive lineman was named to All American teams and numerous players named to All SWC teams.
Willie had two sons (Bill
and Jeff) that played football at the University of Texas.
Zapalac played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers
in 1947. His son Bill (Willie Zapalac, Jr.) played professionally three seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach for the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks
UT Arlington Mavericks football
The UT Arlington Mavericks football team represented the University of Texas at Arlington from the 1959 through 1985 seasons. Between 1919 through 1958, UTA competed as a junior college prior to moving to Division II in 1959 and ultimately Division I in 1970...
located in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, and he held that position for the 1952 season. His career coaching record at UT Arlington was 8 wins, 1 losses, and 1 ties. This ranks him tenth at UT Arlington in total wins and first at UT Arlington in winning percentage.
Zapalac later coached at Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
(where he attended school), Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
, and the University of Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
and in the NFL at the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
.
While at the University of Texas, he coached under Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
for 12 years. During that time, Texas won 7 conference championships and 2 National Championships. He was known for producing many great offensive lines in the 'Wishbone' attack. For a period of 5 years at least one offensive lineman was named to All American teams and numerous players named to All SWC teams.
Willie had two sons (Bill
Bill Zapalac
Willie Frank Zapalac, Jr. is a former American football linebacker/defensive end in the National Football League.-College career:...
and Jeff) that played football at the University of Texas.
Zapalac played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in 1947. His son Bill (Willie Zapalac, Jr.) played professionally three seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.