Larry Beightol, Ex New YorkJets, Packers Offensive Line Coach Dies at 81

Former New York Jets offensive line coach Larry Beightol, who served with the team from 1990-94 passed away on April 4 at age 81.

Larry Beightol, Green Bay Packers offensive line coach for seven years, also coached the New York Jets line from 1990-94 / Credit: Green Bay Press-Gazzete

The  New York Jets are joining the NFL community in mourning the passing of offensive line coach Larry Beightol who died last week at the age of 81.

Known to his friends, peers and colleagues as “Beck,” Beightol served as the Jets’ o-line coach from 1990 to 1994, under head coaches Bruce Coslet and Pete Carroll. During his tenure in New York, the Jets offensive line ranked among the best in the NFL in facilitating rushing yards and time of possession. The Morris Township, PA native played a key role in the development of former Jets’ linemen Dwayne White, Cal Dixon and Siupeli Malamala. 

In addition to his time with the Jets, Beightol also coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-1988), San Diego Chargers (1989), Houston Oilers (1995), Miami Dolphins (1996-1998), Green Bay Packers (1999-2004) and the Detroit Lions (2005).

Larry Beightol, Green Bay Packers offensive line coach for seven years, also coached the New York Jets line from 1990-94. / Credit: Green Bay Press-Gazzette

Beightol received his first coaching job under Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy at William and Mary in 1968 as the College’s defensive line coach. Collegiate Hall of Famer Lou Holtz took over as head coach the following season and moved Beightol to the offensive line. From there, he went on to coach at North Carolina State, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana Tech University, where he spent the 1979 season as head coach, leading the Bulldogs to a 2-8 record. 

Still, Beightol was perhaps best-known for his success as the Packers’ offensive line coach from 1999-2004. Green Bay made the playoffs four times in his seven seasons with the franchise, while he coached four future Packers Hall of Famers: center Frank Winters, guard Marco Rivera, and tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher.

For his efforts, Beightol was inducted as a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Western Division.) He was also asked to introduce Marco Rivera when the lineman was inducted to the Packers Hall of Fame in 2011.

After his NFL career ended in 2006, Beightol assisted in preparing college stars for the NFL Combine at Competitive Edge Sports (CES) of Atlanta. Beightol also ran national football camps for high school stars in training.