Not everyone in the college football world can earn the respect and adoration of Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh but Dave Adolph certainly did. The legendary football coach served under Harbaugh on two different coaching staffs but, unfortunately, Adolph passed away on Sunday at the age of 79.
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Unsurprisingly, Harbaugh quickly reflected on the life of a man that he clearly respected a great deal.
We have lost one of the truly great ones. Coach Dave Adolph who brought joy to all he met and associated. "Do you love football?"
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 12, 2017
As is the case for many in the coaching profession, Adolph spent his career in several different places. He ascended to the heights of the NFL as a defensive coordinator for four different professional franchises and Adolph was most recently employed as a defensive analyst in Ann Arbor under Harbaugh.
In addition, he is one of the few coaches that is highly respected on both sides of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry and Adolph coached and served on the staff for the Buckeyes from 2008 through 2013. Adolph's most recent claim to fame was the fact that he was honored as a captain for both (!) teams prior to the 2016 version of "The Game" and, if that does not speak to the character of the man, there isn't a lot else that could be said.
Dave Adolph was not a household name in the current football landscape but he enjoyed a storied career and a full life. He will certainly be missed.
