Former Syracuse Football Coach Frank Maloney Dies at Age 79

Former Syracuse University head football coach Frank Maloney died Monday from metastic brain cancer at the age of 79.

According to the Associated Press (h/t USA Today), Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of coach Maloney. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and former players. Coach Maloney led our football team during a time of transition."

Maloney was the head coach at Syracuse for seven seasons from 1974 to 1980. He compiled a 32-46 record, including a 7-5 mark and an Independence Bowl win in 1979.

When Maloney took over at Syracuse in 1974, he succeeded Ben Schwartzwalder, who won a school-record 153 games at Syracuse from 1949 to 1973 and led the team to a national championship in 1959.

Syracuse finished 6-4 or worse in each of Schwartzwalder's final six seasons, bottoming out at 2-9 in 1973, which meant Maloney took the reins of a program far removed from its past glory.

He still led Syracuse to a winning record in three of his seven seasons at the helm and ranks seventh on the school's all-time wins list.

He's also known for hiring and mentoring Alabama head coach Nick Saban and former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin early in their coaching careers, per the AP.

Prior to becoming the head coach at Syracuse, Maloney was an offensive lineman at the University of Michigan. He then served as an assistant at Michigan from 1968 to 1973 and learned from legendary head coach Bo Schembechler.

After his tenure at Syracuse ended, Maloney joined the Chicago Cubs' front office and worked in ticket operations for 29 years. He spent 27 years as director of ticket operations before retiring in 2010 and then becoming a consultant.