Dick Farley obit

The death of Richard J. Farley

 He was not on the list.

Dick Farley, a defensive back for two seasons with the San Diego Chargers who went on to a prolific career as a college football coach, has died. He was 79.

Former Fordham coach and ACC Network analyst Dave Clawson announced the news of Farley’s passing April 2 on X.

“Heartbroken today over the loss of my coach and mentor who became a close friend,” Clawson wrote. “Anyone who had the privilege of playing for Coach Farley can attest to the character of the man and the impact he had on them. He was the major inspiration of why I wanted to be a college coach. Love you and thank you Coach Farley.”

A college standout at Boston University, Farley was drafted in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Chargers. He played two seasons in San Diego (1968-69), starting in five of his 24 games on the field.

After retiring as a player, Farley was hired in 1971 as an assistant football and track coach at Williams College, a small liberal arts school in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

In 1987, he succeeded Bob Odell, a Hall of Fame player from Penn, as the Division III school’s head coach.

Over the next 16 years, Farley’s teams went 114-19-3 — an .849 winning percentage that was sixth best on the all-time list at the time of his retirement. Williams never lost back-to-back games over a 128-game span at one point.

In 2006, Farley was inducted into the National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame.

“It is a somber moment for the college football community when we lose a figure as impactful as Coach Dick Farley,” NFF Chairman Archie Manning said. “He wasn’t just a winner, winning 85 percent of his games, but he was a steadfast advocate of the ‘scholar-athlete’ ideal at the Division III level. We extend our deepest condolences to the Farley family and the entire Ephs community.”

Biographical details

Born    May 30, 1946

Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.

Died    April 1, 2026 (aged 79)

Playing career

1967    Boston University

1968–1969      San Diego Chargers

Position           Defensive back

Coaching career (HC unless noted)

Football

1972–1986      Williams (assistant)

1987–2003      Williams

Track and field

1972–1987      Williams

1987–2026      Williams (assistant)

Head coaching record

Overall            114–19–3 (football)

College Football Hall of Fame

Inducted in 2006