Former New York Jets head coach Joe Walton, who was also responsible for building the football program of Robert Morris University, has passed away at the age of 85.

Robert Morris confirmed the heartbreaking development in an obituary posted on its website, noting that the famed football coach died on Sunday. However, no cause of death was provided.

Walton played in the NFL for seven seasons, splitting his time with the then Washington Redskins (now Football Team) and New York Giants. Two years after playing his last football game, he became a scout for the Giants, which started his career as a coach. He eventually became the head coach of the Jets and held the position for seven years.

After learning the news of Joe Walton's death, the Jets released a statement to mourn his passing and remember his contributions to the team and the game of football.

“Joe Walton poured his heart into this franchise for nine seasons. Joining us as an offensive coordinator before taking over as the head coach, Joe fielded some of the franchise's most productive offenses and helped the teams to four playoff appearances during his tenure,” the Jets' statement reads

After he was fired by the Jets in 1989 following a 4-12 season, Walton went on to become the offensive coordinator of Pittsburgh Steelers for two years. In 1993, he was hired as the first football head coach of Robert Morris, building the team from scratch–recruiting players, hiring staff and coaches and even buying equipment for the team.

Joe Walton ended his successful stint with Robert Morris with a 114-92-1 record. He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 2013 and has the football stadium named after him.