LaVern Torgeson dies at 86

LaVern Torgeson as a member of the Detroit Lions after his WSU career.

LaVern Torgeson, the LaCrosse High School graduate who played football for the Cougars at Washington State College and had a 42-year career in the National Football League as a player and a coach, died March 23 in Huntington Beach, Calif. He had made his retirement home in Huntington Beach for the last 20 years.

His death was reported by his wife, Nola Carmichael Torgeson, a 1955 graduate of Washington State College from Wenatchee.

Born Feb. 28, 1929, to Otto and Irma Torgeson, he was raised in LaCrosse and graduated from LaCrosse High School with the class of 1947. He excelled in football, basketball and baseball while at LaCrosse.

Known as Torgy, he then went to play for the Cougars and concluded his college career in 1950. He was named to the first team honors as a linebacker after his senior year with the Cougars. He also played at center.

He was a fifth-round selection in the 1951 NFL draft and began his pro career playing for the Detroit Lions. He played with Detroit for four seasons and then played for three years with the Washington Redskins.

During his years as an NFL player he was named for all-star honors five times.

During his seven seasons as a linebacker Torgeson rolled up a total 18 interceptions for a total return of 211 yards. During his career he booked one touchdown, in his second year with the Lions. That was also the best year for interceptions with five snags averaging 20 yards each.

After retiring as a player, he joined the Red skin coaching staff and served there for a total of 23 years.

His stints with Washington were 1959-61, 1971-77 and 1981-93. In 1980, before his final term with the Red skins, he coached a Los Angeles Rams defensive team which rolled up a NC record of 56 sacks and rated third in overall defense.

Coach Torgeson was inducted into the WSU athletic Hall of Fame in 1979. . In 1994 he was inducted into State of Washington Hall of Fame.

NFL player he was named for all-star honors five times.

During his seven seasons as a linebacker Torgeson rolled up a total of 18 interceptions for a total return of 211 yards. During his career he booked one touchdown, in his second year with the Lions. That was also the best year for interceptions with five snags averaging 20 yards each.

After retiring as a player, he joined the Redskins coaching staff and served there for a total of 23 years.

His stints with Washington were 1959-61, 1971-77 and 1981-93. In 1980, before his final term with the Redskins, he coached a Los Angeles Rams defensive team which rolled up a NC record of 56 sacks and rated third in overall defense.

Coach Torgeson was inducted into the WSU athletic Hall of Fame in 1979. In 1994 he was inducted into the State of Washington Hall of Fame.

During his years in the NFL, he was a member of Washington coaching staffs headed by George Allen and Joe Gibbs. He coached for the Los Angeles Rams for five years and the Pittsburgh Steelers for seven years.

Coach Torgeson was part of all three Super Bowl teams during his Redskin years, and he was one of only three members of the staff to be part of all five of the Redskins Super Bowl appearances.

A report from Jake Kring-Schreifels, a writer for the Redskins, noted the Redskins Park flag was flown at half mast following his death in California.

Coach Torgeson is the second NFL hall of fame player from the 1950 WSC team to die this year. Bud Roffler, longtime Spokane resident from Pine City, died in January at the age of 84.

Ted Torgeson of LaCrosse is a cousin of Lavern Torgeson.