Athletes - Wayne Fontes

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	Athletes - Wayne Fontes

Wayne Fontes (born February 17, 1939) in is a former American football coach who was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 1988 to 1996. Well known for his love of cigars, he has been coined the "Bill Clinton of the NFL". His 67 wins are the most for a head coach in team history. This achievement is somewhat diminished by the fact he is also the coach with most losses at 71.

Fontes was born in the fishing community of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He grew up in Canton, Ohio where he played football at McKinley High School. He attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1962. After not being taken in the NFL Draft, Fontes played one year for the New York Titans (now the New York Jets) of the American Football League. Fontes played nine games for the Titans in the 1962 season as a defensive back recording four interceptions. He returned one interception 83 yards for a touchdown, a franchise record that would stand for 27 years.

After playing one season, he returning to MSU to obtain a Masters degree. He became an assistant football coach at MSU in 1965. He later left for the University of Dayton to serve under head coach George Perles. He also served as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, Southern Cal, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fontes was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions in 1985.

Fontes took over the Lions as head coach in mid-season of 1988 after head coach Darryl Rogers was fired. Fontes would bring in the Run & Shoot offense. This is an offense highlighted by playing four wide receivers and no tight end. Eventually Fontes would abandon the offense.

Fontes' career highlight was when he led the Lions to the NFC Championship game in 1991. The Lions were defeated by the Washington Redskins who would go on to win Super Bowl XXVI.

The Lions' disapointing 5-11 record in 1996 combined with Fontes' 1-4 lifetime record in the NFL playoffs lead Lion's owner William Clay Ford, Sr. to fire Fontes on December 26, 1996.

After serving briefly as a color commentator on the English-language broadcasts of NFL Europe games, Fontes retired to his home in Tarpon Springs Florida.

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