Ex-KU assistant John Levra, who coached several NFL Hall of Famers, dies at 88
No matter where he coached in the NFL, no matter what position, John Levra worked with a player who would be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Such was the influence of Levra, the former University of Kansas offensive coordinator and two-way player for Pittsburg State’s 1957 national championship team, who died earlier this month.
Levra, who lived in Leawood, was 88.
As an NFL assistant for five teams over 22 yards, Levra coached running backs, offensive linemen and defensive linemen.
His first gig came as a running backs coach and offensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints in 1981. Before leaving in 1985, Levra coached Earl Campbell.
With the Chicago Bears as a defensive line coach under Mike Ditka from 1986-1992, Levra coached Dan Hampton and Richard Dent.
From there, he coached the Denver Broncos offensive line in 1993 and 1994, teams that included Gary Zimmerman.
Levra returned to the defensive line with the Minnesota Vikings, where he coached John Randle. His final stop came with the Buffalo Bills from 1998-2002, when he coached Bruce Smith.
At Kansas, Levra served as offensive coordinator during the Nolan Cromwell era. Levra served on the 1975 staff with future NFL head coach Wade Phillips, who worked with Levra at three NFL stops.
The family is planning a springtime celebration of life.