Leonard Frank "Fritz" Shurmur was an American football He coached at the University of Wyoming from 1962 to 1974, the last four as head coach, compiling a Shurmur was an assistant coach in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Phoenix Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers.
13 Facts About Fritz Shurmur
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Coach Shurmur was the author of several books about defense, including Coaching Team Defense, Coaching the Defensive Line and The Eagle Five Linebacker Defense.
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Fritz Shurmur's father was a factory worker for 49 years in the suburbs of Detroit.
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Fritz Shurmur started playing football at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte.
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Fritz Shurmur played center, earned All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors, and was named the conference's most valuable player.
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Fritz Shurmur became a graduate assistant at age 22 in 1954, under Albion head coach Morley Fraser.
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In 1962, Fritz Shurmur moved to the University of Wyoming as a defensive coach under first-year head coach Lloyd Eaton, who was promoted following the departure of Bob Devaney for Nebraska.
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From 1975 to 1999, Fritz Shurmur was a defensive coach in the National Football League with six teams.
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Fritz Shurmur coached for the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Phoenix Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks.
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Fritz Shurmur's coaching style was revered by peers in his profession for defensive genius.
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For example, in 1992 with the Cardinals, Fritz Shurmur had to devise a plan when two linebackers were injured.
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Fritz Shurmur developed a "Big Nickel" defense, that used five defensive backs close enough to the line of scrimmage to rush the passer or drop back into coverage.
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When Holmgren accepted the dual roles of head coach and general manager with Seattle in 1999, Fritz Shurmur went with him as defensive coordinator.