Dec. 23, 1964 - George Wilson (pictured) resigned as head coach of the Detroit Lions today less than 48 hours after his five assistant coaches were dismissed by the owner, William Clay Ford.
Ford said he accepted Wilson’s decision with regret and added that a search for a replacement would not begin until after the first of the year.
Wilson had been head coach of the Detroit club since 1957.
Ford discharged Wilson’s assistants, including two longtime aides, Aldo Forte and Bob Nussbaumer, Monday. Also ousted were Les Bingaman, Don Doll, and Sonny Grandelius.
At the time, Ford said that Wilson’s contract had been extended for an “indefinite period” but that terms had yet to be negotiated. In dismissing the assistant coaches, Ford said that he wanted a clean sweep in order to “get a fresh shot at the title.”
Many observers considered the action a direct slap at Wilson’s authority, and there were rumors that he planned to resign.
The owner, a member of the Ford auto manufacturing family, had been a frequent dressing‐room advisor during the last season.
The announcement of Wilson’s resignation was made at a strained meeting with the press at the Lions' office.
Wilson left as soon as the announcement was made. Later, he said, “I can’t live with myself under these conditions.”
Questioned by newsmen at the Lions’ office, Ford said, “It’s Wilson’s decision. I’d rather the reasons came from him.
“Yes, it was a surprise to me that he quit. But we parted on friendly terms. He’s a fine fellow, but in the long run we may both be better off.”
He said he did not try to talk Wilson out of resigning “because George pretty well had his mind made up.”
Ford said Wilson indicated he did not have another job offer. There have been recurrent reports Wilson would replace George Halas, owner‐coach of the Chicago Bears. Wilson has denied them.
His contract, reported to be $47,000 a year for three years, had another year to run. Ford said a mutually satisfactory agreement on the remaining portion of the contract was reached with the 51‐year‐old coach.
Wilson took over as head coach of the Lions when Buddy Parker, now head coach at Pittsburgh, quit suddenly at a meet‐the‐Lions luncheon just before the 1957 season. Wilson took over a club Parker said he could no longer handle and won the NFL title.
Since then, Wilson's teams have finished second three times — in 1960, 1961, and 1962 — and won the Playoff Bowl game against the Eastern Conference runner‐up at Miami all three years.
The Lions, under Wilson, also finished third twice and fourth twice. This year Detroit was fourth with a 7‐5‐2 record.
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