PEMBROKE PINES, Florida – Phil Krueger, who helped build a dominant defense as an assistant to the Southern California national champion in 1967 and who later became one of the first coaches in the history of the Tampa Buccaneers Bay died. He was 90 years old.
Krueger died at home Monday, his family said.
Skilled in all phases of the game, Krueger has coached offensive, defensive and special teams for over three decades in the NFL and college. He was head coach at Fresno State and Utah State, 31-22, and an assistant at Illinois.
Krueger moved from the field to the Tampa Bay front office and spent 10 years as an executive, known for his skills in contract negotiation. He was hired as the Buccaneers ‘first general manager in 1991 – before that, the team’s coaches made the players’ decisions.
Krueger has worked with famous head coach John McKay at USC and Tampa Bay. Krueger’s co-assistant at both locations was future three-time Super Bowl champion Joe Gibbs.
Gibbs and Krueger were hotel roommates when Southern Cal played on the road.
“I have many fond memories of being on the same coaching staff as Phil,” said Gibbs this week. “He was very brilliant. A lively guy with a great sense of humor. He was one of those guys with whom you have always enjoyed being.”
Krueger’s career path was defined early on when he went from grammar to grill. He was teaching English at a high school in Arizona when he resumed the football program, then landed an assistant coach position at Long Beach City College.
Krueger was a defensive assistant to USC from 1966 to 1970. In 1967, the Trojans went 10-1 – holding seven opponents at seven points or less – and won the national title.
“My favorite coach of all time,” said former Southern Cal weaver and NFL linebacker Charlie Weaver from his home in Fresno, California on Saturday. “He recruited me from college and I couldn’t wait to go to USC to play under the tutelage of coach Krueger.”
In 1970, Weaver, Krueger and the Trojans were part of one of the most important college football games of all time. A fully integrated USC team traveled to Birmingham and defeated the Alabama white team from Bear Bryant 42-21 in a match not as close as the final score indicated.
“Coach Krueger prepared us to play. It was a big blow,” Weaver remembers.
As part of the much-touted “Wild Bunch” defensive front at USC, Weaver said he remained in close contact with Krueger after their college days.
“We have spoken at least once a year,” said Weaver. “What a great man.”
Krueger joined McKay in 1976 with the Buccaneers expansion as a rearfield offensive assistant, and they endured a 0-14 season. Krueger coached linebackers the following year when the Bucs started 0-12 before finishing with two wins, including a win over Saint-Louis in the last game.
Gibbs was part of the Cardinals team and was fired after the season. Krueger helped prepare for Gibbs’ move to Tampa Bay.
Krueger worked in special teams when the Bucs made their first playoff appearance, reaching the NFC title game in the 1979 season, and became assistant to owner Hugh Culverhouse in 1981.
Krueger left the Bucs after a season as general manager, but has not given up on football. After moving to South Florida to be near his daughter, Krueger spent three years as a consultant to a professional team in Tokyo, the Kajima Deers.
Born in LaSalle, Illinois, Krueger grew up in St. Louis and played soccer in southeast Missouri. He was the first lieutenant in the American army, serving during the Korean War and winning the bronze star.
“Phil Krueger was tough … the reason I couldn’t get a high school date (that’s my story),” his daughter Kristi Krueger, longtime WPLG-TV presenter, posted on Facebook at Miami. “But my friends loved ‘Big Phil’ and he loved them. Dad was a brilliant writer and the reason I love poetry.”
Krueger is survived by his 59-year-old wife, Kathy, daughter Kristi and two grandchildren. The family asked that any donation be made on behalf of Krueger to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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