Chuck Fairbanks Dies: Former Patriots Coach Dies From Cancer at 79

Chuck Fairbanks, Former New England Patriots coach, passed away in Scottsdale, Ariz., after battling brain cancer.

Fairbanks, 79, served as the Patriots head coach and general manager for six seasons from 1973 to 1978.

"Coach Fairbanks gave the Patriots instant credibility," Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement. "For Patriots fans of that era, Fairbanks was the Bill Parcells before Bill Parcells. It is a sad day for a generation of Patriots fans who enjoyed his era of coaching. My thoughts and prayers are with the Fairbanks family and all who mourn his loss."

Fairbanks rose to fame for introducing the 3-4 defensive scheme to the NFL during his Patriots' tenure. In each of Fairbanks' last three seasons in New England, the Patriots allowed 18.0 points per game or fewer