Ex-San Jose State coach Rogers dies

Darryl Rogers, who led San Jose State for three winning seasons in the mid-1970s in a coaching career that included stints with Michigan State, Arizona State and the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 83.

Rogers was San Jose State’s head coach from 1973 through ’75. His San Jose State teams went 5-4-2, 8-3-1 and 9-2 in his three seasons. Before Rogers’ arrival, the Spartans’ last winning season was in 1961.

“Darryl Rogers gave our football program legitimacy. He demanded detail and execution on both sides of the ball. It was a pleasure to play for him. He was a perfectionist,” James Hawkins, a linebacker on the 1974 and ’75 teams, said in a story on the Spartans’ website.

Before his time at San Jose State, Rogers was the head coach at Cal State Hayward (1965) and Fresno State (1966-72). After leaving San Jose, Rogers went to Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84) and the Lions (1985-88).

Rogers is on the ballot as a candidate for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. His granddaughter, Adie Collard, is on the San Jose State swimming team.