Former Washington coach James dies
Former University of Washington coach Don James, the winningest coach in Huskies history, died of pancreatic cancer, the school announced Sunday. He was 80.
James was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September.
James coached the Huskies from 1975-1992 and guided them to a share of the national championship in 1991. He was 153-57-2 at Washington and led the Huskies to six Rose Bowl appearances.
He was named national coach of the year in 1984 and 1991, and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
James left a lasting impact on college coaching. He mentored Alabama's Nick Saban at Kent State and Missouri's Gary Pinkel at Washington. Saban played for James at Kent State in 1971 and was a graduate assistant under James from 1972-74. Pinkel was the Huskies' tight end coach in 1976, wide receivers coach from 1979-83 and offensive coordinator from 1984-90.
