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PROVO — Just over a year after the passing of its most iconic football coach, BYU football has lost another legendary figure.
Former BYU offensive coordinator Roger French, who spent just over half of his 40-year coaching career in Provo, died Saturday morning from causes related to age, former BYU football secretary Roselyn Daley said via Facebook. He was 86.
French's daughter Gail Luedke confirmed her father's passing Saturday night to the Deseret News.
"Roger French was a great coach and person. A major impact on BYU football," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said via Twitter. "It was honor to have him as a coach and mentor."
A 1956 graduate of the University of Minnesota, French was BYU’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for 21 years. After one season as the offensive line coach in 1980, the Minnesota native was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1981 and held the title for the remainder of legendary head coach LaVell Edwards’ tenure through 2000.
In 2010, French was also enshrined in the hall of fame of the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association, where he lived with his wife Doty.
My heart hurts. For all those that knew BYU Oline coach Roger French, you're better for it. He passed away this morning. He was a huge part of the success that Lavell had and was a positive influence for so many.
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) February 3, 2018
He went on to help Edwards to win the 1984 national championship with a staff that also included as defensive coordinator Dick Felt, quarterbacks coach Mike Holmgren and receivers coach Norm Chow, who would later be named co-offensive coordinator with French.
Dubbed "French's Legion" by media and opponents around the country, BYU offensive linemen under French went on to 46 NFL careers, including Outland Trophy winner Mo Elewonibi, Trevor Matich, Robert Anae, Bart Oates, John Tait and Evan Pilgrim, among others.
French's small army of coaches to come from his pedigree include Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who was a graduate assistant at BYU under French.
"He’s put a lot of players in the NFL, and he’s affected the lives of a lot of young men," former BYU offensive line and two-time line coach Mike Empey told the Deseret News upon his retirement. "He’s one of the best offensive line coaches in the country."
BYU Coach Roger French passed away this morning. Great coach. Great man. BYU Football never would’ve been where it was without him. #RIPcoach#BYUfamily
— Derik Stevenson (@derikstevenson) February 3, 2018
French also inspired a heavy generation of future coaches that came through BYU, as well. When former BYU offensive line coach Garett Tujague began his career, he visited French and his wife Doty at their home in Minnesota and warmly received advice, counsel and a stack of VHS tapes and playbook that included some of the past coach’s top offensive linemen drills and game video from his career.
"When I played here, the offensive line was feared — not by the people we played but also by our own teammates," Tujague said in 2013, before joining former coach Bronco Mendenhall’s staff at Virginia. "We’re trying to instill that."
