The Willow Glen Resident

49er coach to speak at Bellarmine

Glen resident began football career in the '40s at Bellarmine

By Dick Sparrer

When Bill McPherson talks football, people listen.

And well they should. After all, McPherson's been closely involved in the game for the better part of the last six decades.

He began his career as a freshman football player at Bellarmine Prep back in the mid 1940s, and he's still involved in the game as a member of the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff some 50 years later.

So when he talks football, people listen--and they will on May 6 when he returns to Bellarmine as the guest speaker at the school's annual Alumni Council luncheon.

McPherson is certainly no stranger to Bellarmine football. He starred on the football field for the Bells before graduating in 1950, and he later returned as an assistant football coach at the school. He was inducted into Bellarmine Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982. His two sons, Michael (class of 1975) and Patrick (class of 1987), are also former Bellarmine football players.

And he's definitely no stranger to football.

McPherson went on to play two seasons as a defensive tackle at Santa Clara University before the school dropped its football program. After serving in Korea with the Army, he returned to Bellarmine as an assistant coach under the legendary John Hanna, then went on to serve as a defensive coach for head coach Pat Malley at Santa Clara University from 1963-74.

McPherson was the defensive line coach at UCLA in 1975, then joined Dick Vermeil's staff with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978. The next year he was with the 49ers, and he's been a defensive coach on the staff for the past 20 years, including all five Super Bowl seasons.

The 49er coach lives in Willow Glen with his wife, Elsie. They have five children--Michael, Claire, Joanne, Marianna and Patrick.

McPherson will visit Bellarmine to talk about the game that has been such a big part of his life. The cost for the luncheon is $15 and it is open to the public. An 11:30 a.m. social will be followed by the noon lunch. Reservations are required.

For more information, please call 294-9224, ext. 460.

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]