The Top Of His Game

As Walsh walks through the country- club parking lot toward his car, he is smiling and unburdened. "I'm at peace with myself," he says softly. In the twilight Walsh stops under a Chinese elm to say goodbye and to make one request. It has nothing to do with the decision he made 18 years ago, and everything to do with the present: "The guy whose belongings we put in the cardboard box--please don't use his name. Since then he has become a deacon in his church. And we have a good relationship now. We really do."

The lesson, as Walsh takes his leave, is clear: In the end a man's relationships matter more than the number of Super Bowl rings in his jewelry box.

It doesn't take a genius to understand why.

Walsh's World

R�sum� highlights of former Bill Walsh players and staffers, and their disciples, who became NFL head coaches (HC). How each is connected to him (designated by color key below)
[This article consists of a complex diagram. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

BRUCE COSLET
1969--75 TE, Bengals (Walsh off. coord.); 1980 TE coach, 49ers (Walsh HC); 1990--93 Head coach, Jets; 1996--2000 Head coach, Bengals

TONY DUNGY
1979 DB, 49ers (Walsh HC); 1992--95 Def. coord., Vikings (Green HC); 1996--2001 Head coach, Bucs; 2002--present Head coach, Colts

RAY RHODES
1980 DB 49ers (Walsh HC); 1981--91 DB coach, 49ers (Walsh, Seifert HCs); 1992--93 Def. coord., Packers ( Holmgren HC); 1994 Def. coord., 49ers ( Seifert HC); 1995--98 Head coach, Eagles; 1999 Head coach, Packers

SAM WYCHE
1968--70 QB, Bengals (Walsh off. asst.); 1979--82 QB coach, 49ers (Walsh HC); 1984--91 Head coach, Bengals; 1992--95 Head coach, Bucs

BRIAN BILLICK
1979--80 PR asst., 49ers (Walsh HC); 1989--91 TE coach, Vikings (Green HC); 1993--98 Off. coord., Vikings (Green HC); 1999--present Head coach, Ravens

ROD DOWHOWER
1977--78 QB coach, Stanford (Walsh HC); 1979 Head coach, Stanford;
1985--86 Head coach, Colts