Chuck Fairbanks who led the New England Patriots as their head coach from 1973-79 has died at the age of 79 from brain cancer.

Fairbanks left the University of Oklahoma after the 1972 season to take over the Pats who went 49-36 with two playoff appearances under his guidance. In his first draft he selected players that included John Hannah, Sam Cunningham, Ray Hamilton and Darryl Stingley who became icons of the franchise.

Fairbanks is credited with inventing the 3-4 defense that many teams still use today.

Current Patriots coach Bill Belichick once said that Fairbanks "had a tremendous influence on the league and this organization."

 

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