Bud Carson

Bud Carson
Carson, circa 1964
Biographical details
Born(1930-04-28)April 28, 1930
Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedDecember 7, 2005(2005-12-07) (aged 75)
Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
Playing career
1949–1951North Carolina
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1966Georgia Tech (DC)
1967–1971Georgia Tech
1972Pittsburgh Steelers (DB)
1973–1977Pittsburgh Steelers (DC)
1978–1981Los Angeles Rams (DC)
1982Baltimore Colts (DC)
1983Kansas City Chiefs (DC/DB)
1985–1988New York Jets (DC)
1989–1990Cleveland Browns
1991–1994Philadelphia Eagles (DC)
1997St. Louis Rams (DC)
Head coaching record
Overall27–27 (college)
Bowls1–1

Leon H. "Bud" Carson (April 28, 1930 – December 7, 2005) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1967 to 1971, compiling a record of 27–27. Carson then coached in the National Football League (NFL), mostly as a defensive coordinator. He was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one losing team with the LA Rams in the 1970s. Carson served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1989 until he was fired midway through the 1990 season. He is credited with developing the Steel Curtain. He created the Cover 2 defense, and coached two of the NFL's all time great defenses, the 1976 Steelers and 1991 Philadelphia Eagles.