Sport(s) Football Overall 22–9–1 (.703) Positions Tackle 1955–1961 Pittsburgh (line) Education Waynesburg University | 1951–1954 Waynesburg Role American football player 1946–1950 Pittsburgh Steelers Name John Wiley | |
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Born April 18, 1920
Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania ( 1920-04-18 ) Died March 25, 2013, York County, South Carolina, United States | ||
John Franklin "Smiling Jack" Wiley (April 18, 1920 – March 25, 2013) was an American football player and coach.
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Playing career
Wiley played tackle for Waynesburg College and appeared in the first televised game in U.S. history against Fordham at Randalls Island, New York. He took a break from football as he served in the Army during World War II, rising to the rank of captain.
After World War II, Wiley played for the Steelers and coaches Jock Sutherland and John Michelosen from 1946–50, and he was remembered by team chairman Dan Rooney as contributing to one of the team's most successful pre-Super Bowl periods.
Coaching career
Wiley was the head football coach for the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. He held that position for 4 seasons, from 1951 until 1954. His coaching record at Waynesburg was 22 wins, 9 losses and 1 tie. As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, this ranks him #8 at Waynesburg in total wins and #4 at the school in winning percentage (.703).
Wiley left Waynesburg to become an assistant at Pitt, where he is credited with recruiting Mike Ditka and Marty Schottenheimer. He left coaching in 1961 to become a salesman and later regional manager for the L.G. Balfour Jewelry & Taylor Publishing Company.