Vince Tobin, a former football player and coach from Burlington Junction, Missouri, passed away on Monday at the age of 79. The Arizona Cardinals, where Tobin served as head coach from 1996 to 2000, confirmed his death at his home in Arizona.
Tobin was born on September 29, 1943. He and his brother Bill attended Maryville High School, located about 16 miles away from their family farm, in the hopes of boosting their sports prospects. Both brothers played football at Maryville High School and went on to play at the University of Missouri. Vince played as a defensive back for the Tigers in the early 1960s. After graduating from Mizzou, he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the university in 1965. He later became the defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers from 1971 to 1976.
In 1977, Tobin transitioned to the professional level and became the defensive coordinator for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also spent three years as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. In 1986, he took over as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, succeeding Buddy Ryan, and held that position until 1992.
Tobin’s next coaching opportunity came in 1994 when he became the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, a role he held for two seasons. In 1996, he was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Under Tobin’s leadership, the Cardinals achieved their first postseason win since 1948 in 1998. However, he was fired in 2000 after compiling a record of 28-43. Prior to his time with the Cardinals, Tobin briefly held assistant coaching positions in Detroit and Green City.
In 1993, Tobin was strongly considered for the head coach opening at his alma mater, the University of Missouri, but the job eventually went to Larry Smith.
Vince Tobin leaves behind a legacy as a dedicated football player and coach who contributed to both the college and professional levels of the sport.
