For the second time in as many months the University of Oklahoma football program mourns the loss of one of their own.

Legendary head coach Chuck Fairbanks passed away Tuesday in Scottsdale (Ariz.) following a battle with brain cancer. He was 79 years old.

After taking over for Jim Mackenzie following the 1966 season Fairbanks lead Oklahoma to a 52-15-1 record from 1967-72 winning three Big 8 titles (1967, 1968, 1972) while also coaching the 1969 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens.

“The University of Oklahoma fondly remembers Chuck Fairbanks,” said OU vice president for intercollegiate athletics and director of athletics, <b>Joe Castiglione</b>. “Chuck provided stability and leadership for the program during a pivotal time in OU history and his lasting contributions to Oklahoma Football will always be appreciated.”

The 16th head coach in the program’s history, Fairbanks immediately guided his 1967 squad to a 10-1 record and a Big 8 title while posting back-to-back 11-win season in 1971 and 1972 capping both seasons with Sugar Bowl wins over Auburn and Penn State.

“The Oklahoma Football family is saddened by the passing of Chuck Fairbanks, who holds a memorable place in Sooners’ history,” said current head coach <b>Bob Stoops</b>.

“His squads won three Big 8 championships and helped lay the foundation for a program’s ongoing success with the installation of the wishbone-T offense.”

In his third season Fairbanks would oversee the implementation of the wishbone-T formation that would be responsible for laying the pavement for the next two decades of Oklahoma football.

“Chuck possessed an exceptional eye for talent, recruiting talented players like Heisman winner Steve Owens and enabling innovative assistant coaches like Barry Switzer to thrive,” recalled Stoops.

In 1973, Fairbanks left Norman and spent the next six seasons as the head coach of the New England Patriots where he would produce a 46-41 record including the franchises first AFC East divisional title in 15 years in 1978.

Returning to the collegiate sidelines at the University of Colorado from 1979-81 Fairbanks would also go onto serve as the head coach of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals in 1983.