Allen Park, MI (My Sportsbook) - Monte Clark, a former coach of the Detroit Lions and an NFL player, died on Wednesday night at the age of 72.

Clark passed away at Henry Ford Hospital due to an extended illness with bone marrow malignancy caused by lung and liver disease.

After an 11-year playing career with San Francisco, Dallas and Cleveland, Clark first made a name for himself as the offensive line coach of the Miami Dolphins, who went to three Super Bowls during his tenure from 1970-75.

Clark then took over as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for the 1976 season and at the time was the youngest head coach. His team posted a record of 8-6, but the Niners were sold after the season and Clark stepped down.

He sat out the 1977 season, but was hired by the Lions in January of 1978.

In his first season with Detroit, the team selected Al "Bubba" Baker in the second round of the draft and the defensive end recorded 23 sacks and won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Clark's team went 7-9 that season, but had a rough 1979 campaign as quarterback Gary Danielson was injured in the preseason and the team went 2-14.

However, that gave the Lions the No. 1 pick in the 1980 draft and they chose 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims. Also in that draft, the team picked quarterback Eric Hipple and kicker Eddie Murray.

Sims grabbed Rookie of the Year honors as he ran for 1,303 yards and 13 touchdowns and the team went 9-7 that season.

"I thought the world of Coach Clark and had the upmost respect for him," said Sims. "I really appreciated that he was always in my corner."

Clark went on to coach the team through the 1984 season and posted a record of 63-61-1. The team made the playoffs twice, capturing a division title in 1983, but was unable to grab a win in the postseason.

"Monte will always be remembered as a consummate football man," said Lions president Tom Lewand. "He knew football inside and out, and had a passion for it. He played the game at a high level and had success wherever he coached. Monte also had a terrific sense of humor. Anyone who knew him could tell you Monte stories that always bring a laugh. Our deepest sympathies go out to Charlotte and the entire Clark family. He will be greatly missed."

Clark spent 11 years in the NFL and appeared in 139 games. He played his first three seasons with the 49ers as an offensive and defensive tackle. He was traded to Dallas in 1962 and spent the rest of his career as an offensive tackle. After one season with the Cowboys, Clark played the rest of his career with the Browns and won an NFL title in 1964.

After retiring as a player in 1969, he started his coaching career with the Dolphins under Don Shula. During his time with Miami, he assembled one of the finest offensive lines ever and the team became the first ever to have two backs rush for over 1,000 yards in one season.

During his six season with the Dolphins, the team won a pair of Super Bowls and had the only perfect season in NFL history at 17-0 in 1972. He left the Dolphins after the 1975 season and went on to coach the 49ers.