John McVay, former head coach of the New York Giants and a five-time Super Bowl winner as an administrator with the San Francisco 49ers, has passed away at the age of 91.
McVay rose to prominence in 1976, replacing Bill Arnsparger as head coach after an 0-7 start in the team’s first year in New Jersey.
McVay coached the Giants through the 1978 season, compiling a 14-23 record. He was dismissed after the ’78 season after an embarrassing stretch run that included the infamous ‘fumble’ game aka ‘The Miracle at The Meadowlands.’
McVay went on to work for the 49ers in various front office positions from 1980-1999 where he was instrumental in the franchise’s five Super Bowl championships.
“John is an outstanding executive and a class act,” Giants co-owner John Mara said in a statement. “He was a Hall of Famer in every regard, professionally and especially as a person.”
McVay’s grandson, Sean, is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.
