1972 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season

1972 St. Louis Cardinals season
OwnerBill Bidwill
Head coachBob Hollway
Home fieldBusch Memorial Stadium
Results
Record4–9–1
Division place4th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone

The 1972 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 53rd year with the National Football League and thirteenth in St. Louis. On September 2, Bill Bidwill purchased the stock of his brother Charles "Stormy" Bidwill to become sole owner of the Cardinals.[1][2] The adopted sons of Charles and Violet Bidwill,[3][4] the two had co-owned the team since their mother's death in January 1962.[5]

After starting at 2–2, with wins over 1970 and 1971 playoff participants Baltimore and Minnesota, the Cardinals went 0–7–1, then won their final two games over the Rams and Eagles to finish at 4–9–1 for the second consecutive season and third time in the past four.

Second-year head coach Bob Hollway was fired on December 18,[6] the day after the regular season finale, and succeeded a month later by San Diego State head coach Don Coryell.[7][8]

  1. ^ "Bill Bidwill sole owner of Cards". Southeast Missorian. Cape Girardeau. Associated Press. September 12, 1972. p. 8.
  2. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.283
  3. ^ Howard, Robert (February 2, 1963). "Court rules for Bidwills". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 1, part 4.
  4. ^ "High court rules in favor of sons". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. February 2, 1963. p. 2, part 2.
  5. ^ "Mrs. Wolfner, Cardinals' owner, dies". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 30, 1962. p. 1, part 3.
  6. ^ "Cardinals fire football coach". Southeast Missourian. Cape Girardeau. Associated Press. December 19, 1972. p. 1.
  7. ^ "Coryell named Cardinal coach". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. January 19, 1973. p. 28.
  8. ^ "Coryell is named coach of inoffensive Cardinals". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. January 19, 1973. p. 15, part 2.