Football coach Frank Gansz Jr. dies at 64

Frank Gansz Jr., a veteran football coach with a career spanning the NFL, college football, the CFL, and various spring leagues, has died at the age of 64. The United Football League (UFL) and the St. Louis Battlehawks announced his passing, though no cause of death has been released.

Gansz Jr. most recently served as the special teams coordinator for the St. Louis Battlehawks. His professional career included nine seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. During his tenure with the Chiefs, he coached one of the league's most prominent special teams units, featuring Pro Bowl return specialist Dante Hall.

His coaching journey also included stints at UCLA and SMU, as well as roles in the XFL, USFL, and CFL. He comes from a prominent football family; his father, Frank Gansz Sr., was a highly respected NFL coach credited with helping establish the special teams coordinator role.