Longtime NFL special teams coordinator Frank Gansz Jr. died over the weekend at the age of 64. His most recent team, the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks, announced his death and paid tribute on Tuesday.
"The United Football League and St. Louis Battlehawks extend their deepest condolences to the Gansz family, his friends, former players and coaches, and the countless people throughout the football community whose lives he touched during his remarkable coaching career," the team said in a statement. "His passion, knowledge, competitiveness, and example he set will be remembered throughout the UFL and Battlehawks organization and carried forward by all those he came across."
Gansz Jr. spent decades working as an assistant coach in the NFL, college football, and other competitions. He began his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders from 1998 to 2000, followed by a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs between 2001 and 2005, and the Baltimore Ravens from 2006 to 2007.
Prior to his NFL work, Gansz Jr. was the tight ends and special teams coach at the University of Houston for five seasons. His college coaching career also included roles at UCLA, SMU, West Point, Kansas, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Gansz Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father, Frank Gansz Sr., who was also primarily a special teams coach. The elder Gansz notably won a Super Bowl ring as the special teams coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in January 2000. He also served as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987 and 1988.
A cause of death for Gansz Jr. has not yet been announced.