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Murray Warmath Obituary
Murray Warmath died Wednesday in Bloomington of natural causes, the University of Minnesota said in a statement on its Web site. University spokesman Preston Smith told The Associated Press that Warmath died about 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Warmath led the Gophers for 18 seasons and made two trips to the Rose Bowl. He was named coach in 1954. After the Gophers finished in last place in the Big Ten in 1959, angry fans tossed garbage on his front lawn and hung the coach in effigy.
But it was just a year later that Warmath led Minnesota to the national championship.
Warmath, raised in Tennessee, was remembered for his hard-nosed discipline and desire for social change. He was one of the first major college coaches to take a number of black athletes in a single recruiting class. Big Southern colleges were still segregated at the time and many Northern colleges refused to recruit black players. Warmath started one of his black recruits, sophomore Sandy Stephens, at quarterback.
"If Minnesota let Sandy Stephens play quarterback, then we knew we could trust Murray," tackle Ezell Jones said. "We knew that was a man who had a great deal of courage and character."
The Gophers, with Stephens at quarterback, played on national TV in the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowls.
"There was no Super Bowl then," said Judge Dickson, a halfback from 1959 to 1961. "And there weren't a lot of (college) bowls like there are today. The most visible bowl was the Rose Bowl. (Black athletes) were heavily influenced by watching us play in the Rose Bowl."
Minnesota finished second in the Big Ten in 1961 and was selected to go to the Rose Bowl again when Ohio State declined an invitation. The Gophers beat UCLA 21-3 in the 1962 Rose Bowl.
The Gophers shared the Big Ten title wit h Purdue and Indiana in 1967. It's the last time Minnesota has had at least a share of the conference championship.
Warmath became a Vikings assistant coach in 1978.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
21 Entries
Jordan Warmath
April 14, 2018
Hi my name is Jordan Warmath I think I might be related to Merry Warmath
Craig Curry
March 21, 2011
There was no better competitor, instructor or MAN then coach Warmath. Your wisdom still lives on in my children.
Phil Beck
March 21, 2011
Uncle Murray, and Aunt Patti, sorry to hear of the passing of Murray's Dad, we are sadden to hear the news, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the two of you during these most difficult days, May He Rest in Peace, lots of Love, and Many, Many Hugs, Your Family, Janet, Kendric, and Phil
Linda McMahon
March 21, 2011
Our family is very sorry about your loss.My father(Ralph Magnuson) always ate at the same table with Murray at Friendship Village thru summer of 2009.When my husband and I would come visit we always enjoyed talking to Murray. One time he asked where my dad got his watch because it had large numbers on it so he could see it more clearly.He was losing his sight due to macular degeneration.He was wondering if we could get him one so we did on our next visit and he was so excited and never quit thanking us with a big smile on his face.My father had to move somewhere else due to more care that he needed.He always talked about moving back to Friendship to see Murray.My husband passed away in Aug of 2009 from heart surgery so I love reminiscing about stories like this.It was a delight for our family to have known Murray a short time.Sincerely,Linda McMahon
How you can show support
March 21, 2011
"I want the Warmath Family to know, they have my deepest sympathy. Please take comfort in knowing that, 'God can give us "power beyond what is normal," so we can keep going from one day to the next.
(2 Cor.4:7)
Tom Lavaty
March 21, 2011
It was a true honor to be selected to play for him.I was a mamber of the 1967 team-what a great man-he will be missed
Dennis Bergquist
March 20, 2011
My Father&I used toenjoy barBque parties during summers years ago at Earl Browns Farm with Augie Johnson.I was tall gangly wore glasses and was afraid to try football in spite of Murrays urging. So I begin yacht racing on M 17s, A Scows, Yinglings & 420s Murray came out to see me in regattas at Minnetonka Yacht Club and was impressed. But when he saw me play No. 3 Position at West End Polo Club he was really impressed to see the blocking and body checking with 1300 lb. horses then jokingly I told him football was for wimps and polo was where the action was!! All the best Dennis Bergquist
Lee Ann Doucette
March 20, 2011
Coach Warmath is now at home with his wife, son and daughter! It was an honor to be secretary for Coach several years at the U of M Athletic Dept. after he became Asst. Athletic Director. He was a very caring person.
Blessings on his family - he will be remembered by many. "Rusty"
Don Ward
March 20, 2011
My condolences to Murray Jr. and family. Glad I went to the U when he was the Coach who overcame adversity and became an all-time winner. He was a winner on and off of the football field. RIP Coach.
Don Ward (U of M 1957-1961)
Pattaya, Thailand
March 20, 2011
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.
March 20, 2011
Coach and I had many wonderful conversations about the mutual admiration society he and my brother, Sandy, had for each other. Sandy loved Coach like a father and I came to adore him as a friend. On behalf of Sandy, Ray and the entire Stephens family I send you warmest regards and heartfelt sympathy. Coach Warmath's legacy through his family and his football iconic status will never be forgotten. Barbara Stephens Foster
Monique
March 20, 2011
I'm sorry for your lost. He was a great man I enjoyed the many years I got to spend with him. He always made me smile. He will be deeply missed
Connie Bossons Bishop
March 20, 2011
Our family sends condolences and fond memories of Coach. My father had the great honor of coaching with him - Bob Bossons. My fondest memory is wearing a Warmath for President button in 1960. Our prayers are with his family, players and the University
Kristin Pederson
March 20, 2011
To Murray Family and friends.
It was a great pleasure knowing coach over 5 years at Friendship Village and serving his meals to him in the Main dining room and in Health Care. He was a great person and a wonderful coach. He will be missed by all of us. I sure will miss his singing voice with Karen and all his fun stories that he told me when he was coaching. He will always be in my heart.
May his memories and his spirit live with you and that you find comfort in the days ahead.
Kristin Pederson Food Service
Shay
March 19, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. May you find comfort in God's promise at Isaiah 25:8.
rita hart
March 19, 2011
Our hearts are full of love and condolence for you Murray and your family. I know how proud you were of your father through our years of conversations. May those wonderful memories of your Dad fill your heart in these empty days. Our prayers are with you.
Love,
Rita and Joe
libby ladyman
March 18, 2011
One of the greatest! Thank you Coach Warmath for what you meant to college football, and to all the young men you led! "Billy" has been waiting for you! Great reunion! Sure he asked you "What took you so long?"
The family of Billy "Spook" Murphy
March 18, 2011
Having been born in Humboldt TN, my father who coached football there in the 40's and early 50's always spoke so highly of Coach Warmath having attended several early season clinics for high school coaches where Coach Warmath was featured... You have my deepest sympathy and my prayer for God's comforting hand to follow your family always...J. R. Gray(Jackson, TN)
Jim Lack
March 18, 2011
Our deepest sympathy is bestowed upon the family, Thank you also for Sharing him with the Mississippi State Bulldog Nation as our coach too, Our prayers are with you
R Golay
March 17, 2011
To the the family of Murray Warmath - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Murray will be missed by many.
March 17, 2011
To the Warmath family: Take heart, all is not lost. Psalm 37:29 says that The righteous themselves will posses the earth and they reside forever upon it.
D.GRIFFIN
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