SALT LAKE CITY-Monday, former University of Utah football player and assistant coach John Pease passed away at the age of 77.

Pease, of Salt Lake City, retired from the Utes’ coaching staff in 2015.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham pulled Pease out of retirement for one season.

Prior to that season, Pease had worked under Whittingham during the 2009 season.

Prior to retiring for the first time in 2005, Pease had been an NFL assistant with the New Orleans Saints (1986-1994; 2004-2005, defensive line) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2000, defensive line; 2001-2002, defensive coordinator).

The native of Pittsburgh played for the Utes in 1963 and 1964 and was voted as the team’s Most Inspirational Player in 1964 when the 9-2 Utes routed West Virginia 32-6 in the Liberty Bowl.

Pease also played two years at Fullerton CC (Calif.) earning junior college All-American honors as a halfback (1961) and a linebacker (1962) for the Hornets.

Pease and his wife, Chris, a fellow Utah alum, had two daughters and four grandsons.