Wayne Fontes is a former American football player and coach who had a long and successful career in the sport. He played college football at Michigan State University, where he was a standout defensive back and earned All-American honors in 1962. After college, Fontes played professionally in the NFL for several years, primarily as a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions.

After retiring as a player, Fontes began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Lions in 1974. He worked his way up the coaching ranks, eventually becoming the team's head coach in 1988. Fontes led the Lions to their first playoff victory in over 30 years in 1991, and he was named the NFL Coach of the Year for that season.

Under Fontes' leadership, the Lions became a perennial playoff contender, making the postseason four times in five years from 1991 to 1995. Fontes was known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate his players, and he was widely respected by his peers in the coaching profession.

Despite his success with the Lions, Fontes was fired after the 1996 season, and he never coached in the NFL again. He went on to work as a television analyst for several years before retiring from football altogether.

Throughout his career, Fontes was known for his passion for the game and his dedication to his players. He was a beloved figure in Detroit, where he remains a popular and respected figure to this day. Despite his ups and downs as a coach, Fontes is remembered as one of the most successful and influential coaches in Lions history, and his legacy continues to inspire players and coaches alike.

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