Robert T. Bronzan, 87; coached Bill Walsh, Dick Vermeil at San Jose State

Robert T. Bronzan, 87, who coached Bill Walsh and Dick Vermeil at what is now San Jose State University before having a distinguished tenure as the school’s athletic director, died Sunday in Lincoln, Calif., the university announced. The cause of death was not reported.

Bronzan played tackle at San Jose State from 1937 to 1939. After serving as an Army Air Forces officer during World War II, he was an assistant coach for four seasons before becoming head coach in 1950. He coached the team for seven seasons.

Walsh, who coached the San Francisco 49ers to three NFL championships and later made the Pro Football Hall of Fame, played end for Bronzan’s teams in 1952 and 1953, and Bronzan later hired Walsh as a part-time assistant. Vermeil, who led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 2000, played quarterback for Bronzan in 1956 and 1957.

Bronzan was San Jose State’s athletic director from 1960 to 1971. He also earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from Stanford while serving as a professor in San Jose State’s human performance department for 34 years, until 1980.

He scouted for the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, 49ers and Washington Redskins and was an advisory coach for the Eagles in 1959.