The Dallas Cowboys announced former wide receivers coach Hubbard Alexander died Sunday night at the age of 77.
After winning two national championships with the University of Miami and head coach Jimmy Johnson, in 1983 and 1987, Alexander JJ to Dallas and joined his staff on America's Team in 1989.
Together then went on to win Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys in 1992 and 1993. Alexander remained in Dallas following Johnson's departure and won another Super Bowl in 1995 with Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer.
As a receivers coach, he helped guide Michael Irvin, whom he also coached in Miami, to All America honors with the Hurricanes in 1987. He was then instrumental in Irvin’s All Pro and Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys, the team said in a statement Monday.
Here's more from the Cowboys on Alexander's coaching history.
In Dallas, Alexander guided a receiving corps that was highlighted by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who he also coached while at the University of Miami (1985-87). Under Alexander’s watch, Irvin led the Cowboys in receptions and receiving yards seven consecutive times (1991-97) and caught 634 passes for 10,026 yards and 56 touchdowns, earning five Pro Bowl trips.
As an assistant coach with the Miami Hurricanes from 1979-88, Alexander first arrived on campus to coach tight ends for six years before taking over the wide receivers for his final four years (1985-88). While working with the receivers, Alexander helped Irvin break most of Miami’s receiving records, including the school’s career receptions mark, which was held by one of Alexander’s tight ends (Willie Smith). Smith set the record after surpassing another Alexander tight end, Glenn Dennison.
After leaving Dallas, Alexander coached with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-99), New Orleans Saints (2000-03) and Cincinnati Marshals (2005) – an indoor football team.
Alexander graduated from Atkins High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was a three-year starting center at Tennessee State and earned All-America honors as a senior and earned his degree in health and physical education in 1962. He signed as a rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys
Hubbard Alexander – Born Feb. 14, 1939, Winston-Salem, N.C. Center Tennessee State 1958-61. College Coach: Tennessee State 1962-63, Vanderbilt 1974-78), Miami 1979-88, Dallas 1989-97, Minnesota 1998-99), New Orleans 2000-03, Cincinnati Marshalls 2005.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
