Former A&M Coach Bellard dies at 83

Former Texas A&M Football Coach Emory Bellard has lost his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Coach Bellard died early this morning in Georgetown at the age of 83. His son Bob Bellard, the head football at Bryan High School, confirmed his father’s passing to WTAW this morning.

Emory Bellard had revealed this past summer that he was suffering from ALS and this past Fall was honored at the Aggies’ home football game against Nebraska.

Coach Bellard first coached at Ingleside High School and then coached Breckenridge High School to two state title in 1958 and 1959. Then after a stint at San Angelo Central, he was hired by Darrell Royal at Texas where he became offensive coordinator in 1968 and was credited for developing the wish bone formation.

He became head coach at Texas A&M in 1972, taking over for Gene Stallings and coached until resigning midway through the 1978 season with a record of 48-27, including a SWC co-championship in 1975 and three bowl games.

Coach Bellard then coached seven seasons at Mississippi State. He later went back to the high school sideline and coached six seasons at Spring Westfield.

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