Vic Rapp
Born:(1929-12-23)December 23, 1929
Marionville, Missouri, U.S.
Died:October 24, 2016(2016-10-24) (aged 86)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Career information
CollegeSouthwest Missouri State University
Career history
As administrator
1995Philadelphia Eagles (Scout)
As coach
1967–1971Missouri (Ends coach)
1972–1976Edmonton Eskimos (OC)
1977–1982BC Lions (HC)
1983Houston Oilers (ST coach)
1984Los Angeles Rams (WR coach)
1985–1986Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB coach)
1987–1988Detroit Lions (RB coach)
1989–1992Chicago Bears (WR coach)
1996–2000Arizona Cardinals (WR coach)
Career highlights and awards
AwardsAnnis Stukus Trophy (1977)
HonorsBC Lions Wall of Fame (2010)

Victor Max Rapp (December 23, 1929 – October 24, 2016) was an American and Canadian football coach who served as the head coach of the BC Lions from 1977 to 1982.[1]

Early career

Rapp was born in 1929 in Marionville, Missouri.[2] A graduate of the University of Missouri, Rapp served as the Tigers end coach from 1967 to 1971.[3] In 1972, he became the offensive coordinator of the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos.[4] During his tenure in Edmonton, the Eskimos appeared in the Grey Cup four times; winning in 1975. Rapp left Edmonton in 1977 to become the receivers coach at Miami.[5] Less than three weeks after accepting the Miami job, BC Lions general manager Bob Ackles hired Rapp to replace Cal Murphy as Lions head coach.

BC Lions

In his first season as Lions coach, Rapp led the Lions to a 10-6 record and was named the Canadian Football League's Coach of the Year.[4] The Lions made the playoffs three times under Rapp but never advanced past the Western Final. After six seasons in Vancouver without a championship, Ackles felt that Rapp would not be able to lead the Lions to a championship and fired him.[6]

Coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Result
BC 1977 10 6 0 .625 2nd in West Division 1 1 Lost in West Final
BC 1978 7 7 2 .500 4th in West Division 0 0 Missed Playoffs
BC 1979 9 6 1 .600 3rd in West Division 0 1 Lost in West Semifinal
BC 1980 8 7 1 .533 4th in West Division 0 0 Missed Playoffs
BC 1981 10 6 0 .625 3rd in West Division 1 1 Lost in West Final
BC 1982 9 7 0 .563 4th in West Division 0 0 Missed Playoffs
Total 53 39 4 .576 2 3

Later career

After his firing, Rapp served as an assistant with the Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and Arizona Cardinals.[6] He spent one season as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles.[7]

Rapp retired to Orlando, Florida.[6] He died on October 24, 2016.[2][8]

References

  1. ^ "Vic Rapp - The Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-08.
  2. ^ a b "Victor Rapp Obituary (1929 - 2016) - Orange City, Florida, FL - News-Leader". Legacy.com.
  3. ^ "Browns' Mack Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Use". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 31, 1989.
  4. ^ a b "Sports Shorts". The Argus-Press. The Associated Press. January 28, 1978. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  5. ^ "Lou Saban completes his coaching staff". Boca Raton News. January 7, 1977. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  6. ^ a b c Lyndon Little (July 16, 2010). "Former Lions coach Vic Rapp reflects upon Wall of Fame induction". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  7. ^ "Cardinals Hire Fassel as Offensive Coordinator". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 12, 1996.
  8. ^ "Vic Rapp, former CFL coach of the year, dead at 80 | CBC Sports".


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