Minnesota coaching legend John Gagliardi passes away Before any of the football

action got underway on Sunday http://www.minnesotavikingsteamonline.com/everson-griffen-jersey , the state of Minnesota lost a truly legendary football coach.John Gagliardi, who spent six decades at St. John’s University in Minnesota as the school’s football coach, passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.Gagliardi too over the football program at St. John’s in 1953, and was the head coach of the Johnnies until the 2012 season, when he finally hung up his whistle. In 2003, he passed the legendary Eddie Robinson as the winningest coach in the history of college football (at any level), and finished his college coaching career with a record of 489-138-11. He also won four Division III national championships along the way, and the trophy that the outstanding player in Division III football takes home every year (their equivalent to the Heisman Trophy) was named for Gagliardi in 1993.Gagliardi had an unusual coaching style, from all accounts. This comes from the story that ESPN did on him after his passing was announced earlier on Sunday.Gagliardi’s coaching career actually went all the way back to his high school, Trinidad High School in Colorado Womens Rashod Hill Jersey , when he was hired as the coach of the football team at the age of 16. Yes, a sixteen-year old coach. What happened was the team’s regular coach was drafted into military service (for World War II), and was a player-coach in his senior year. He continued coaching high school football while getting his college degree as well.Legendary Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Bud Grant paid tribute to Gagliardi just a short time ago with one simple picture on his Twitter account.Picture from the Twitter account of Bud GrantI’m not sure how many St. John’s alumni we have out there among our readers, but I think that if you’ve spent any time in the state of Minnesota watching football, you know who John Gagliardi was. He had a unique style, and he produced a lot of upstanding young men that went on to do big things after their football careers were done.Our thoughts prayers go out to the family and friends of John Gagliardi in light of John Gagliardi’s passing. The Vikings will have running back Dalvin Cook tonight. He was not among the team’s inactives after being listed as questionable in the status report Wednesday.Cook was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday after sitting out Monday.Vikings starting left tackle Riley Reiff (foot) also is active. The team listed him as questionable. Minnesota’s inactives are quarterback Kyle Sloter, cornerback Marcus Sherels (ribs), safety Anthony Harris (hamstring), guard Bryan Witzmann, defensive tackle Jalyn Holmes http://www.minnesotavikingsteamonline.com/harrison-smith-jersey , defensive tackle Tom Johnson (ankle) and defensive end Everson Griffen (knee/not injury related).The Rams will have cornerback Marcus Peters, though he might not start because of his injured calf. He went through a pregame test and apparently passed to the team’s satisfaction they can use him at least in an emergency situation.The Rams, though, won’t have outside linebacker Dominique Easley, listed as questionable with a knee injury. Matt Longacre will start in his place. The Rams’ other inactives are kicker Greg Zuerlein (groin), returner JoJo Natson (hand), insider linebacker Mark Barron (ankle), running back John Kelly, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and defensive tackle Tanzel Smart.