FLOWERY BRANCH - A man who was a former college and professional football coach and Gainesville high school football columnist and commentator has died.
Charles "Chuck" Clausen of Flowery Branch died Thursday at the age of 75.
Clausen, who was from Albuquerque, N.M., attended the University of New Mexico where he was a member of the wrestling and football teams, according to the school's Website.
After he graduated, he coached wrestling and football at Gallup (N.M.) High School for a year before taking a coaching position at San Jose State University in California. Clausen returned briefly to New Mexico and later became defensive coordinator at the New Mexico Military Institute.
In 1971, he joined the coaching staff at Ohio State before moving profesisonal football, where he spent 10 years with the Philidelphia Eagles, including at 1981 appearance in the Super Bowl. According to the University of New Mexico Website, Clausen coached a few more years in the pros - with the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers - before beginning a career in real estate.
It was during this time that he began writing a high school sports column for The Times in Gainesville and serving as a color commentator on high school football broadcasts on WDUN.
A memorial service for Clausen will be held Jan. 9 at 11:00 at First Baptist Church of Gainesville.
