Former KU coordinator retires from coaching

By Staff     Jan 1, 2003

John Levra, offensive coordinator at Kansas University during the heydays of quarterback Nolan Cromwell and running back Laverne Smith, has retired after 44 years in coaching.

Levra, 65, has spent the last three seasons as defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.

“I never thought I’d quit coaching,” Levra told the Buffalo News. “I thought I’d die on the sideline.”

Levra, a native of Arma, was an all-league linebacker/guard for Pittsburg State and helped lead the Gorillas to the 1957 NAIA national championship.

“I’ve loved football all the years that I’ve been in it and it’s been a great way to make a living,” Levra told the Buffalo newspaper. “It’s been very kind to me and I’m pleased with what’s transpired while I’ve been a coach, but I’ve had enough and I’m ready to quit.”

Levra was head coach at New Mexico Highlands and Sam Houston State before joining Bud Moore’s staff at Kansas in 1975. Later he went to North Texas State before breaking into the pro ranks as the defensive line coach for the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1980.

The following season, Bum Phillips brought Levra into the NFL as a running backs coach for the New Orleans Saints. He later joined the Chicago Bears staff as a defensive line coach in 1986 and remained until 1992, when was hired in Denver. Then he moved on to Minnesota and finally to the Bills in 1998.

Last February, Levra suffered a minor heart attack.

“I decided I just needed one more year of football,” he said. “It was time to quit.”

Levra and his wife, Rosie, plan to retire in Pittsburg.

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