Weeb Ewbank
He is the only coach to win a championship in both the NFL and the AFL, masterminding two of football's most storied upsets.
1907–1998 (age 91)·American football coach·Birthday: May 6·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Wilbur 'Weeb' Ewbank, a short, bespectacled man from Richmond, Indiana, didn't look the part of a football titan, but his strategic mind reshaped the game's history. His coaching journey, which began at the high school level, was built on meticulous preparation and an unshakable belief in fundamentals. Ewbank's first act of legend came with the Baltimore Colts, where he molded Johnny Unitas and orchestrated the 1958 NFL Championship, a sudden-death epic often called 'The Greatest Game Ever Played.' After a second title in 1959, he was surprisingly fired, only to be hired by the upstart New York Jets of the rival AFL. There, he faced his greatest challenge: preparing brash quarterback Joe Namath and his underdog team to face the mighty Colts in Super Bowl III. Ewbank's detailed game plan and psychological groundwork led to a stunning victory that legitimized the AFL and forced a merger, cementing his unique place in the sport's narrative.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Weeb was born in 1907, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Weeb Was Born
The biggest hits of 1907
Weeb's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1907Born
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1912Started school
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1920Became a teenager
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1923Could drive
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1925Could vote
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1928Turned 21
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1937Turned 30
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 40
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 50
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 60
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 70
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 80
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1998Died at 91
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
Key Achievements
- Coached the Baltimore Colts to NFL championships in 1958 and 1959, including the historic 'Greatest Game Ever Played.'
- Led the New York Jets to a monumental victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969.
- Became the only head coach to win a championship in both the National Football League and the American Football League.
- Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978 for his contributions to the game.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Weeb' came from his childhood inability to pronounce his own name, Wilbur.
He was fired by the Colts after winning two championships because owner Carroll Rosenbloom wanted a 'more glamorous' coach.
He coached both Hall of Fame quarterbacks Johnny Unitas (Colts) and Joe Namath (Jets).
He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Miami University in Ohio, earning a salary of $3,700 per year.
““You can't help but be a little proud when you realize you were part of something that will be in the history books.””
