John Arnaud Passes Away
- Thread starter Bader
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Thoughts and condolences to the whole Arnaud family, I feel terrible for Austen and his whole family.
Former Sioux City North Star and Iowa State Cyclones great...two schools near and dear to my heart. RIP John, thoughts and prayers to your family and close friends.
John has moved on to the great gridiron in the sky, and will be missed. The earth is a better place for his having been here.
I was a big fan during the Donnie Duncan years. John's teams went 3-0 versus UI, which he must've been very proud of. I recall that the ISU defensive backs referred to themselves as the "ISU blackfield". Can anyone confirm that? I haven't seen that referenced anywhere, so am relying on memory. I recall a group of guys who took a lot of pride in their prowess and in their black heritage. Nowadays it is not unique to have an all black set of DBs, but back then it was.
It was also huge fun when John played for the Michigan Panters of the USFL. There was a lot of local interest in that team, and in their championship run back in '83, which they eventually won versus heavily favored Philadeplphia. Iowa State was part of what they called their territorial draft, and John was joined on that team by fellow ISU DB Ron Osborne ISU DC Larry Coyer.
I was a big fan during the Donnie Duncan years. John's teams went 3-0 versus UI, which he must've been very proud of. I recall that the ISU defensive backs referred to themselves as the "ISU blackfield". Can anyone confirm that? I haven't seen that referenced anywhere, so am relying on memory. I recall a group of guys who took a lot of pride in their prowess and in their black heritage. Nowadays it is not unique to have an all black set of DBs, but back then it was.
It was also huge fun when John played for the Michigan Panters of the USFL. There was a lot of local interest in that team, and in their championship run back in '83, which they eventually won versus heavily favored Philadeplphia. Iowa State was part of what they called their territorial draft, and John was joined on that team by fellow ISU DB Ron Osborne ISU DC Larry Coyer.
I didn't know that Larry Coyer was a coach on that Michigan team. He's really had a great career. I worked with John for a couple years after the USFL folded and he loved to hide behind a desk or a door and scare you. I'm pretty easy to startle and he would laugh his *** off every time he got me.
John, Ronnie Osborne, Karl Nelson, James Ransom and George Jessen - 1982 captains
View attachment 16310
I remember that group (Arnaud, Longshore, Osborne and Larry Crawford) and when Story City Native Tony Carlson started to play, they called themselves, "The Defensive Blacks and the Great White Hope" .
Do you remember the D-Backs coach who was in his first job?
I'm reaching way back here but I don't remember John Arnaud being the Land Shark. I thought there was a player named Mike Payne on those early 80s teams who had that nickname.
Without looking, I'm going to guess Bobby Elliott? Also don't forget Joe Brown played with those guys. One year, I think 1982 he and Crawford were the corners and Land Shark and Osborne were the safeties. Best ISU secondary ever.
Landshark had one of the hardest hits I ever saw on Iowa QB Gordy Bohannon,
Was a trick play, Pete Gales came in and threw a pass to Bohannon
Bohannon was absolutely destroyed by Arnaud along the Iowa sideline....
Was a trick play, Pete Gales came in and threw a pass to Bohannon
Bohannon was absolutely destroyed by Arnaud along the Iowa sideline....
John sat directly behind us at the ISU games. What an amazing and fun loving man. He loved his Cyclones and talked about his son every single game. Austen you made him so proud!! He will be missed by all who had the fortune of knowing him. Prayers go out to the family.
I remember that group (Arnaud, Longshore, Osborne and Larry Crawford) and when Story City Native Tony Carlson started to play, they called themselves, "The Defensive Blacks and the Great White Hope" .Do you remember the D-Backs coach who was in his first job?
Mowilly:
Was 83Clone correct? My alternate guess would be Mack Brown.
I know Mack coached WR at least one year but I don't recall how long he was here. Could have been him and he switched assignments