Former NFL assistant coach and St. Louis Battlehawks special teams coordinator Frank Gansz Jr. has died at the age of 64.
Gansz coached special teams in the NFL, helping out the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. He also had coaching stints at UCLA, SMU and Kansas among other schools. His most recent work was with the Battlehawks.
With that being said, the United Football League issued a statement on Gansz’s legacy.
“The UFL and St. Louis Battlehawks mourn the passing of Frank Gansz Jr., a second-generation football lifer who carved out his own path as a respected coach, teacher, and mentor. Frank was old school in the best sense of the word. He was a student of the game, passionate about his craft and deeply respected by his peers and players. With a remarkable ability to bridge generations, Gansz delivered a message that blended his love of history with his love of football, using lessons from the past to shape how his teams prepared for the present,” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said.
“Frank brought passion, knowledge, discipline, and resiliency to everything he did. His impact on the UFL, the Battlehawks, and the people around him went far beyond the field. We extend our deepest condolences to the Gansz family and the countless people throughout the football community whose lives he touched during his remarkable coaching career.”
Football community keeping the Gansz family in its prayers.
Though it’s not much of a surprise, tributes have been pouring in since Gansz’s death was confirmed by the UFL.
“This is a tough post to write,” Northeastern State football coach Darrin Chiaverini wrote. “One of my coaching mentors and friend Frank Gansz Jr passed away over the weekend. “Frankie” was one of the best coaches and teachers I have been around in my career.”
“Oh man. This is absolute heartbreaking news,” James Larsen of UFL Newsroom said. “Frank Gansz Jr. was the St. Louis #Battlehawks Special Teams Coordinator this past season. Sending prayers to his family and loved ones.
“Heartbroken to hear Coach Frank Gansz Jr passed away. Met him at Univ of Houston when he coached w my dad on Kim Helton’s staff in the 90s. Loved coaching 🏈. Always brought juice on Special Teams! Won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. My dad & I got to see him in Feb coaching UFL,” another person wrote.
Our thoughts are with Gansz’s friends, family members and peers.
