CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Jack “Jocko” Gotta, the former Canadian Football League player, coach and general manager who coached teams to Grey Cup and World Football League titles, died Saturday. He was 83.
The Calgary Stampeders said Gotta died at Bethany Care Centre in Calgary.
The former Oregon State player began his nine-year CFL career as a wide receiver and defensive back in 1956 with Calgary and also played for Saskatchewan and Montreal.
He became Ottawa’s head coach in 1970 and led the Rough Riders to the Grey Cup title in 1973. In 1974, he coached the Birmingham Americans to the first and only World Football League title.
Gotta returned to the CFL to coach Calgary and Saskatchewan. He was the CFL’s coach of the year in 1972 and 1973 with Ottawa and 1978 with Calgary.
