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Over the years, we've seen a slew of talented pass rushers in the NFL and there's a decent chance they were coached by John Teerlinck. Teerlinck, the longtime defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, sadly passed away late on Sunday night at the age of 69.
While Teerlinck played in the NFL, he began his coaching career in the league back in 1989 with the Cleveland Browns. Besides the Browns, he would coach with the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and the Colts.
Throughout his career, he coached seven players that notched 100 or more sacks in their careers. Those seven players included John Randle, Chris Doleman, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, Kevin Greene, Bubba Baker, and Neil Smith.
Of course, Teerlinck is well-known for his time in Indianapolis, coaching the dynamic duo of Mathis and Freeney. Altogether, during their time together with the Colts, Mathis and Freeney combined for 230.5 sacks. Freeney released a statement on Teerlinck following his passing.
“JT was a man of true legend,” Freeney said in a statement, via ESPN's Mike Wells. “He was an innovator and his teachings were way ahead of his time. He taught me so much and I definitely would not have had the career I had if it wasn't for him. I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend. The greatest d-line coach of all time!”
In addition, Teerlinck actually presented Randle when the All-Pro defensive lineman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. As a matter of fact, he's only the 10th assistant coach in NFL history to present a player at the Hall of Fame. Even though he passed away, Teerlinck will always be remembered as a legend in the NFL. Our thoughts go out to his family, as well as the extended Colts and NFL family.
