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Jack "Jocko" Gotta (November 14, 1929 – June 29, 2013) was an American-born Canadian professional football player, coach, and general manager.
| Born: | (1929-11-14)November 14, 1929 Ironwood, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | June 29, 2013(2013-06-29) (aged 83) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | WR, DB |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| College | Oregon State |
| Career history | |
| As administrator | |
| 1974 | Birmingham Americans (WFL) |
| 1975 | Birmingham Vulcans (WFL) |
| 1977–1983 | Calgary Stampeders |
| As coach | |
| 1970–1973 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| 1974 | Birmingham Americans (WFL) |
| 1977–1979 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 1982–1983 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 1985–1986 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| As player | |
| 1956–1959 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 1960–1964 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 1964 | Montreal Alouettes |
| CFL West All-Star | 1957, 1958, 1961 |
| Honors | 3× Annis Stukus Trophy - 1972, 1973, 1978 |
Gotta played tight endatOregon State in 1952 and Hamilton Air Force Base from 1954 to 1956. He signed with the Cleveland Brownsin1956, but was cut and played with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1957 to 1959. In 1960 he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He sometimes played corner linebacker and safety due to injuries on defense. During the 1964 season he was cut by Saskatchewan and signed by the Montreal Alouettes.
In1965 he rejoined the Roughriders as an assistant coach. He resigned after the 1967 season and joined the Ottawa Rough Riders coaching staff. In 1970 he replaced the retiring Frank Clair as head coach. The team went from first to last place, however the team made the playoffs every year afterwards. He had a 30–26 record in his four seasons as Ottawa's head coach, winning the Grey Cupin1973 and the Annis Stukus Trophyin1972 and 1973.
In 1974, he jumped to the World Football League's Birmingham Americans as head coach and general manager. The Americans, led by George Mira, Charley Harraway, and Dennis Homan, finished with a 15–5 record and won the only WFL World BowlatBirmingham's Legion Field, defeating the Florida Blazers 22–21.
In 1975 the Americans folded, new ownership was brought in and the team renamed themselves the Vulcans. Gotta stayed on as General Manager only. The team had a league best 9–3 record when the WFL folded. He returned to the CFL in 1977 as head coach/general manager of the Calgary Stampeders. He retired as coach after four seasons, but remained on as GM.
When Jerry Williams resigned as head coach after the 1981 CFL season, he returned to the sidelines. He remained in Calgary until 1983, when he was fired after missing the playoffs.
As the Stampeders coach, he finished with a 44–46–6 record and won Coach of the Year in 1978.
In1984 he joined the CFL on CTV as a commentator. He left the network to become head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughridersin1985. In two seasons with the Green Riders he had an 11–22–1 record,[1]
Gotta died on June 29, 2013, in Calgary.[2]