A graduate of Hayward High School and San Jose State, Bill Walsh had a career that carried him from the head-coaching job at Fremont’s Washington High School to roles as assistant coach at the University of California, Stanford, the Oakland Raiders, the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers. He was appointed head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979, after having served as Stanford’s head coach in 1977-78. Winner of three post-season bowl games at Stanford and three Super Bowls with the 49ers, he was named NFL Coach of the Decade in 1980. He returned to Stanford as Head Coach in 1992 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

Plaque location: Stanford University