Two men who left a mighty imprint have died within a short period of time. I knew them both and admired them greatly. Perhaps you would not think of Emo Biagini and Bill Walsh in the same context, but I do. Each man came from modest beginnings and achieved a great deal. The biggest thing that they had in common was the simple fact that they never forgot where they came from. Both came to San Jose to build a future. They both stayed and neither forgot their debt.
Emo Biagini was a good man, the child of immigrants and a role model to his siblings and the many who knew him, me included. He came from tiny McCloud in Northern California, where his parents from Lucca, Italy settled. No English was spoken in the house or, indeed, the neighborhood. Education, as it is to many immigrants, was paramount. He made sure that his family of six children took full advantage of the benefits of an education. He came back to it late in life as a primary advocate of Downtown College Prep. He was both smart and succinct.
When I first ran for mayor, he was one of my earliest donors. An article in the Mercury News at the time stated that I had formed an “exploratory committee.” He wrote me a note that said: “Tom, I want you to be mayor, and I didn’t donate to an explorer. Run!” It was a typical, classic comment on politics. As his brother Ted said of him in a brilliant and poignant eulogy: “We discover Emo not by examining his considerable achievements, but in studying his character—his indomitable spirit.”
Bill Walsh achieved great things: Stanford preeminence, three Super Bowl Championships, the Team of the Decade, and the appellation, “the genius.” He traveled far and was heralded as the most innovative man in the modern era of football. Yet, he never forgot San Jose. He was a journeyman player here in the fifties, but, obviously, he got a great deal from our city and from San Jose State. He did not forget it; he paid back that debt many times over. While the foolish urbanists and less clever pundits love to comment that San Jose is the little engine that couldn’t—a town of characterless suburbs, a place looking for an identity—Walsh was not among this feckless band. He made his past part of his future and worked hard to start his old university on the road back to football credibility. He was confidant in who he was—a rare trait even in the most successful.
Walsh and Biagini were brothers under the skin. They both came to San Jose to make something of themselves. They attended our university at about the same time. They left legions of friends who clearly knew their worth. They were admirable beyond description, although many have come close. They probably never met, but they should have. They would have recognized much in one another.
Tom:
Bill Walsh had the ability to surround himself with the brightest of the bright and the most experienced people. He was not scared to have very smart people to advise him.
An excellent example was Norb Hecker. Norb was one of Vince Lombardi’s 4
assistants and one of the two defense coaches on the Packer championship
teams. Norb had also been an NFL head coach.
While dreaming up offence, Bill would often walk into Norb’s office, go
directly to the black board and draw up a play. “How do you defense this?” He would ask. Norb would step to the board, draw in his answer, Bill would study it, and then leave.
A short time later he would show up and draw up a variation. After several of these
“show and tell” periods, Bill would bring in something that Norb finally could not defend. Bill would then stop and socialize before leaving to add it to his play book.
Yes, Bill deserved all of the alocades! Not only could he see and pick outstanding young players such as Darren Nelson and Jerry Rice, but he picked assistant coaches, both young and old that were outstanding. Just look at his staff at Stanford and all of those assistants at the ‘Niners! What a brain trust!
We are all better for having Bill around us!
Jerry
Didn’t know Emo, but I’m sure he was a really terrific guy. Knew Bill because I watched him, read about him, and not too long ago talked with him at a Dorsa vineyard fundraiser, Healthy Kids, that Bill organized. Met Chuck Reed there, demanded that he run against Cindy for Mayor. (He took my advice.)
Had a great conversation with Bill, though I am absolutely nobody. Didn’t flatter him, just kidded around. Forrest Williams couldn’t be bothered talking, slurping down the free wine.
But, my comment about your interesting blog today is that your’e mixing things up a bit:
Both were generous guys who did much for your favorite city. But Bill was Great. Bill had
“the VISION thing” big time. He took a really loser team and made it into a dynasty, and could see (envision) the greatness in Montana, Young, Rice, Lott and so many others—even the revived SJSU football team. Once he could see it, he could make it happen. Your favorite city is not Bill’s favorite city: SAN FRAN. He had enough left over to notice SJSU.
Emo’s quality was generosity, with a tiny bit of vision: seeing you’d make a good mayor, per-haps the only one ever. (Unless Chuck can get past supporting the bureaucracy and just balancing the budget to give San Jose a bit of THERE.) Emo did notice something you are still stuck with—trying to decide about “exploring” or “running”. Way too much exploring. Too much mixing categories, like today, and often trying to make the past fit into today, even tomorrow.
Forget it. Won’t happen. George Green
Like the illustrious George Green says Tom, I’d like to see you running against Ms. Zoe again.
Tom: Great post I did not know Mr Walsh, But I did know Emo and you are right about this gentleman. I will miss him a lot….
Tom,
My family and I thank you for the nice tribute to my Dad, who was and always will be a true HERO !
Emo was a great guy, from a great family. The kind of family that makes America and its ideals what it should be.